Festival & Events Co-Ordinator

The Position

The Council now invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent and fixed term contract posts for the position of Festival & Events Co-Ordinator will be drawn.

The Festival & Events Co-Ordinator will become the point of contact in the council that will provide the resources and assistance, to support, co-ordinate and develop the festival and cultural events offering in the county.

This role will build on Westmeath’s reputation as a place in which to live, work and visit. It will enable the Westmeath County Council to take a leadership role in strategically and tactically promoting festivals, tourism, economic and cultural events.

The role of Festival & Events Co-Ordinator will support the key goals in the future development of the County. The Festival & Events Co-Ordinator will report to the Tourism Officer as part of the Economic Development and Tourism Team.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Liaise with other Westmeath County Council departments to co-ordinate the management of festival and event requests for the County.

• Actively work with Festival Committees, Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and other relevant Government Departments to support festival and cultural events in Westmeath.

• Liaise with key stakeholders including An Garda Síochána, Fire Services and other relevant stakeholders for festivals and events in the county.

• Identify and source funding opportunities to further enhance programme delivery.

• To assist in maximising sponsorship and commercial income for Westmeath County Council’s festivals and events.

• Oversee festival funding schemes and work in festival business development.

• Collaborate and work with the Arts, Heritage and Creative Ireland teams to support an integrated approach to festival development and to develop creative production in Westmeath.

• Work with the Tourism Officer to maximise the promotion and tourism potential of festivals and events in Westmeath.

• Procure and manage contracted services including event management.

• Undertake creative programming, when required.

• Liaise with festival and event organisers providing advice and consultancy.

• Work with events and festivals to ensure applicants are in line with Westmeath County Council policies and procedures.

• Undertake evaluation of Festivals and audience development.

• Work as part of the Tourism team across projects and activities in the department.

• Ability to work collaboratively with local interests, public representatives, local development companies, festival committees and the community and voluntary sector as required.

• To guide organisers through event licencing, insurance and safety protocols.

• Attending events and meetings outside normal working hours (such as evenings and weekends).

• Work closely with the Arts, Heritage and Creative Ireland teams to support an integrated approach to festival development and to develop creative production in Westmeath.

• To assist with research, data gathering and analysis of emerging market trends.

• To carry out any such other duties required by the Chief Executive of Westmeath County Council.

• The post holder may be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above, and to take instructions from and report to an appropriate Officer or such duties as designated from time to time.

Qualifications for the Post

Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Citizenship

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or

e) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa

Or

A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

Education, Training, Experience

Candidates must have on the latest date of receipt of completed application forms:

• Minimum requirement of Level 7 degree in Event Management, Tourism, Business or related discipline;

• Strong event management and marketing knowledge;

• Demonstrates an understanding of the role of arts, culture, heritage and community in festivals, tourism, and/or place-making.

• Possess a satisfactory knowledge of the functions and duties of local authorities;

• Excellent standard of administrative experience and adequate experience in office organisation and in the management of staff and proficient understanding of effective Performance Management.

*Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

The ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate is self-motivated, results-oriented individual with a passion for culture, tourism and event management.

• Ability to work collaboratively in developing and managing relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders.

• Experience in events management and marketing.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Experience in project planning and management skills.

• Proven record of relationship building skills.

• A good understanding of, and ability to operate effectively within wider Local Government.

• Strong interpersonal skills and self-initiative with the ability to work both independently and as part of a small team.

• Experience of using marketing databases.

• Proficiency in MS Office.

• Good negotiation and budgetary skills.

• Proficiency in social media applications.

• Proven track record of managing external suppliers.

Note: Candidates must hold a current valid unendorsed driving licence in respect of category B vehicles and must advise if this is not the case.

Particulars of Office (including retirement)

The Post

A panel will be formed for an initial period of one year and this may be extended for a further year at the discretion of the Chief Executive. The panel may be used to fill permanent & fixed term positions that may arise for its duration. Vacancies will be offered in order of merit as per the panel. Vacancies may arise on a county-wide basis. Westmeath County Council reserves the right to assign employees to any work location having regard to funding and/or operational circumstances.

Salary

The current salary for the post of Festival & Events Co-Ordinator is €58,474 - €71,437 per annum (including Long Service Increments), which is analogous Senior Staff Officer scale as per Circular EL 04/2026. Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance.

Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with the Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

New Entrants to the Local Authority Service commence on the 1st point of the scale in accordance with current Government Policy as set out in Department of the Environment Circular Letter EL 02/2011 of 28th January 2011 and Circular EL 05/2016 dated 5th February 2016.

Remuneration is paid fortnightly by PayPath directly to the employee’s nominated bank account. The current pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment.

Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions e.g. PAYE and PRSI. Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or conduct are not satisfactory.

You agree that in the event of an overpayment of salary or other monies to you, the Council reserves the right to deduct monies from your “wages” (for the purposes of the Payment of Wages Act, 1991) for the purpose of reimbursement of the Council of the amount of the overpayment(s), in keeping with the Payment of Wages Act 1991, Section 5(5).

Superannuation and Retirement

Membership of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme or the Single Public Service Pension Scheme is compulsory for all employees. Details of the relevant scheme will be provided to the appointee prior to appointment.

A person who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority who is liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependent or qualified children).

A person paying Class A rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable employee of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children's Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependent or qualified children).

A person who becomes a pensionable officer of a local authority who is liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of his/her superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of pensionable remuneration. A person paying Class D rate of PRSI who becomes a pensionable Officer of a local authority depending on their existing scheme, may be a member of a dependent scheme i.e. either the Local Government (Widows & Orphans Contributory Pension) Scheme or Local Government (Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension) Scheme and if a member of either scheme will be required in respect of this to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

Employees are admit ed to the Superannuation Scheme in accordance with the terms of the Local Government Superannuation (Consolidation) Act, 1998 and the Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, with effect from date of appointment. This scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement and death gratuities.

In order for a new entrant to the scheme to qualify for a pension, the employee must have served a minimum of two years employment in a local authority.

For new entrants under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, effective from 1st January 2013, superannuation contributions are as follows: 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration. Pension and retirement lump sum will be based on career-average pay; pensions will be coordinated with the State Pension Contributory Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012: The compulsory retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years.

Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004:

There is no mandatory retirement age for ‘New Entrants’ from 1st April, 2004 to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. 65 years is the minimum age at which a person may be paid. As a new entrant to the public service, under the terms of this legislation, new entrants will not be required to retire on grounds of age.