Communications Officer

The holder has specific job contact with:

• Director of the Institute for Clinical Trials

• Director of Operations Institute for Clinical Trials

• Head of Strategic Communications, Identity Management and Student Recruitment, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

• Director of the ARC Hub for HealthTech

• ARC Hub for HealthTech Senior Operations Manager

• ARC Hub for HealthTech operations team

• ARC Hub for HealthTech researchers and staff based in other Irish Higher Educational Institutes (HEI’s)

• Press and marketing teams in other ARC Hub partnered Irish HEI’s

• Director of Strategic Development, College of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway

• Director of the Clinical Research Facility, Galway

• Vice Dean for Research, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

• University press team

• University marketing team

• External agencies including advertising agencies, public relations consultancies

• The media – local, national and international media

• Approved suppliers – including photographers, printers, designers, web designers, social media agencies.

The holder will also have general contact with:

• Staff in the Institute for Clinical Trials and associated units

• Public relations consultants, advertising agencies

• The Public

• Administrative team, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

• Heads of Schools

Main Purpose of Job

The Institute for Clinical Trials and the ARC Hub for HealthTech are strategic initiatives at the University of Galway, driving innovation and excellence in clinical research.

The Communication Officer will be responsible for managing the Institute’s press and communications strategy, with a strong emphasis on media relations, storytelling, and external engagement. The post holder will be responsible for increasing the visibility of the Institute’s research, clinical trials, and partnerships through national and international media coverage.

This consists of the strategic brand development of the Institute for Clinical Trials, publishing material to print and broadcast media, on local, national and international levels and for internal publications; media relations; writing and issuing feature articles, research activity; developing high-quality media content such as graphics and videos, co-ordinating photography/videography; and in the general promotion of the Institute and its activities.

In addition to responsibilities for the Institute for Clinical Trials, the postholder will play a central role in shaping the communications, branding, and external engagement of the Research Ireland ARC Hub for HealthTech, a €34 million national initiative hosted at the University of Galway. The ARC Hub for HealthTech is one of the largest ever coordinated research and innovation investments in Ireland, designed to accelerate the translation of health technologies from research into real-world impact. The ARC Hub for HealthTech is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021-2027.

The postholder will lead on the strategic communications activities of the Hub, ensuring its mission, milestones, and successes are effectively communicated to stakeholders across academia, industry, government, clinicians, patients, and the wider public. This will include developing and managing tailored communications campaigns to highlight the Hub’s role in advancing health technology research, supporting commercialisation pathways, and fostering collaboration across Ireland’s health innovation ecosystem.

Key responsibilities will include creating high-impact content to showcase Hub projects and partnerships, driving national and international media coverage, producing digital and multimedia outputs, and supporting thought leadership opportunities for the Hub’s leadership team. The role will also involve co-ordinating communications across partner institutions, ensuring consistent branding and messaging, and positioning the ARC Hub for HealthTech as a flagship programme for Ireland’s future health innovation and global competitiveness.

The position is formally a 50:50 split between the Institute for Clinical Trials and the ARC Hub for HealthTech, with both initiatives regarded as strategic priorities for the University of Galway.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Communications and Public Relations

• Plan and execute public relations strategy for the Institute for Clinical Trials and the ARC Hub for HealthTech, aligned to strategic short-term and long-term requirements.

• Focus press activity on promoting the key strengths and strategic priorities of the Institute and the ARC Hub.

• Raise the profile of the Institute and the ARC Hub in national and international media.

• Develop relationships with key correspondents to increase national coverage of health research and health technology innovation.

• Liaise with international peer review journals on joint press releases with due regard for embargos.

• Work in partnership with the University’s central press team and ARC Hub partners to deliver coordinated press activity.

• Any other duties pertaining to the role as directed by Management Structures. The postholder will be expected to display flexibility in this respect.

Media Engagement and Content Development

• Preparation and issuing of press releases to publicise Institute and ARC Hub research, appointments, high profile activities, events, seminars and workshops.

• Preparation of photographs and captions and the release of this material to the media to highlight Institute and ARC Hub activities.

• Researching and writing material on the Institute and ARC Hub for award/rankings submissions, editorials in special reports and newspaper supplements.

• Research and draft research press releases and articles for the Institute and the ARC Hub.

• Translating highly technical projects, initiatives and programme content into digestible and informative communication and dissemination material.

• Lead, attend and input creatively to photography shoots and video shoots.

• Provide introductory media training and support to researchers and academic staff, including those engaged in ICT and ARC Hub projects.

Branding, Messaging and Internal Communications

• Preparation of brand messaging and communications strategy for both the Institute for Clinical Trials and the ARC Hub with a particular emphasis on distinctiveness and excellence.

• Develop internal communication strategies across the Institute and ARC Hub.

• Develop media messaging with established and emerging researchers, entrepreneurs and clinical collaborators.

• Develop relationships with individual academic and research staff to promote key areas of research expertise and ARC Hub projects.

• Meet regularly with key academic/research staff to develop news stories, opinion pieces and opportunities for media comment.

• Make suggestions for the enhancement and improvement of publications showcasing the research and innovation outputs of the Institute and the ARC Hub.

Event Coordination and Digital Presence

• Coordinate Institute and ARC Hub events as required, such as seminar series, launch events, workshops and flagship activities.

• Manage social media for the Institute and ARC Hub across various social media platforms.

• Provide design support and creative input, as required and to ensure consistent University/Institute/ARC Hub branding, e.g. social ads, seminar banners, event invitations, brochures.

• Manage the web presence of the Institute and the ARC Hub.

Co-operate and assist with work activities, duties and changes that may arise from time to time and as decided by the Institute for Clinical Trials Director of Operations/ARC Hub for HealthTech Senior Operations Manager.

Requirements for the role:

The successful candidate will be highly motivated, have excellent interpersonal skills, excellent organisational skills, and good copywriting skills. The post holder should have the ability to lead, motivate and negotiate as well as work as an effective team member.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the eligibility requirements below in terms of qualification, skills and experience:

Essential Criteria

• A primary level 8 degree in a relevant field

• A minimum of two years’ relevant work experience in a communications or similar role

• Strong project management skills, leadership skills and excellent writing and editing skills

• Demonstrable excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, analytical skills

• Evidence of effective networking, influencing skills and relationship building

• Proven ability to work effectively independently and as a leading part of a team

• Track record in achieving targets in a competitive environment

• Proficient skills in ICT tools related to the position

• Demonstrable proficiency in the use and usage of social media and online marketing

• Ability to perform to deadlines and budgetary constraints

• Evidence of adaptability, flexibility and innovation in past roles

• Experience of updating web content and web Content Management System(s)

• Flexibility with respect to working hours will be an expectation of this post

• Some international travel will be an expectation of this post

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of the Higher Education sector is highly desirable

• A relevant postgraduate qualification is desirable e.g. Communications, Public Relations, or Marketing

• Proficient skills in Canva or other graphic design platforms

• Proficiency in Copywriting, Social Media Advertising

• Experience in video editing

The above criteria will be utilised to shortlist and select candidates for interview.

Salary: €54,043 - €69,801 per annum pro rata for part time/short term roles (applicable to new entrants effective from January, 2011) and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the QA321 University’s Remuneration & Payroll Policy. This appointment will be made on the Grade 4 payscale in line with current Government pay policy.