Policy Manager, Codes & Rules, Higher Executive Officer

About This Role

Role Purpose

The Policy Manager (Higher Executive Officer) in An Coimisiún’s Codes and Rules team is a middle management position responsible for supporting the team’s senior management and contributing to the achievement of the organisation's strategic outcomes. The role involves managing several key elements of the team's work programme and collaborating with colleagues across divisions to deliver initiatives.

This role plays a key part in maintaining the integrity, clarity, and relevance of media standards and supports and protects the public interest by ensuring that these standardsmeet legal requirements and reflect the evolving media landscape.

About the Team/Division

As a member of the seven-person Codes and Rules team, you will be joining An Coimisiún at a time when we have grown to over 250 staff and we are implementing the delivery of our inaugural strategy. Covering the period 2025- 2027, this strategy sets out an ambitious vision for a thriving, diverse, creative, safe, and trusted media landscape, and details six strategic outcomes, all of which are relevant to the work of the Codes and Rules team.

The Codes and Rules team is one of five teams in An Coimisiún’s Policy, Research and Strategy division. The role of the Code and Rules team is to develop and update codes, rules and guidance applying to media services in Ireland and to support and guide the implementation of these standards.

The team works on a range of initiatives, including in collaboration with other teams within the Policy, Research and Strategy division and within An Coimisiún more generally. Current examples in this regard include guidance on identifying and reporting illegal online hate content; the operationalisation of the Online Safety Code; the development of new rules for on-demand media services; and the updating of codes and rules for broadcasting services in Ireland.

Key Responsibilities

Policy Development and Analysis

• Undertake policy, regulatory and legislative analysis, and desktop research to inform policy development.
• Assist with the development, review, and drafting of regulatory instruments (including media service codes and rules, online safety codes, and statutory guidance under the Broadcasting Act 2009, as amended), and related policy documents.
• Ensure all policy and codes, rules and guidance reflect legal obligations and the reasonable expectations and interests of media users and audiences.
• Manage public consultations, including drafting consultation documents and analysing submissions, during the development of regulatory instruments and related policy.
• Develop and draft briefing materials and other supports to senior management and Commissioners in preparation for national and EU-level working groups, events and speaking engagements.

Project Management, Stakeholder Engagement, and Communication

• Plan, coordinate, manage and support the delivery of multiple projects, reporting on milestones, risks, and dependencies to ensure timely and high-quality outcomes.
• Co-ordinate effective engagement with internal teams across the organisation to facilitate collaboration and advance the development of codes, rules, guidance, and policy.
• Manage queries from internal and external stakeholders and provide advice relating to codes, rules, and guidance.
• Engage with broadcasters, on-demand, and online providers as well as civil society groups, policymakers, and the public to inform policy positions.
• Represent Coimisiún na Meán at external meetings, events, and conferences, as required.

Monitoring and Analysis

• Monitor emerging trends and developments in media regulation, media consumption, and societal attitudes.
• Assess the effectiveness and impact of existing codes, rules and guidance, drawing on research, evaluations, reviews, and stakeholder feedback.

Team and Knowledge Development

• Proactively contribute to the iteration of the Codes and Rules Team’s processes, ways of working and demonstrate adaptability when faced with ambiguity.
• Demonstrate a continued commitment to developing subject matter expertise and effectively communicating this expertise in appropriate forums.
• Manage the performance of staff as required, providing clear information and advice as to expectations and supporting their development.

The above is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to review.

About You - Experience, Skills, Knowledge & Qualifications

Essential Criteria

• At least three years of experience in policy, legal or regulatory roles within the media, communications, civil society, or government sectors or equivalent experience as a media practitioner or media educator.
• A strong understanding of media regulation in a legal, journalistic, educational, or public policy context.
• Previousengagement in policy development and/or policy and/or legal analysis and review and/or legislative drafting.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams and engage effectively with a range of stakeholders.
• Sound judgment and the ability to balance regulatory, legal, editorial, and public interest considerations.
• Clear and confident communication skills including a demonstrated ability to present complex policy and/or regulatory concepts in an accessible manner to a range of audiences.The role requires excellent written skills, appropriate planning, policy formulation, and the production of clear, concise, and accessible regulatory instruments and related policy documents.
• Demonstrate initiative, proactively identifying issues, opportunities and challenges and actively identifying solutions, taking ownership of projects and tasks, and seeking guidance when appropriate.
• Strong teamwork skills, contributing positively to team and division objectives and wider organisational goals.
• Experience of leading, managing and developing people.

Desirable Criteria

• NQF Level 8 qualification in law, policy, media, or another relevant discipline.
• Knowledge of Irish and European legislation relating to media regulation, digital services, and online safety.
• Experience of managing, supporting, or responding to public consultations.
• Experience in project and/or workflow management and developing and managing work plans

Key Information

Benefits, Package & Pay

• This position is offered on a Permanent basis.
• Full time, 35 hrs per week
• Annual Leave: 29 days per annum
• The role will be a hybrid role combining home and office working.Our current hybrid policy is 2 days in the office.
• Our office is located at One Shelbourne Buildings, Shelbourne Road, Dublin 4, D04 NP20.
• For a full list of benefits see our website here
• This position is graded at the Higher Executive Officer scale.
• Successful candidates will be appointed on the first point of the scale.

Application Process

If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit:

• A CV (max 2 pages) and a Cover letter/personal statement (max 1 page) outlining why you believe your skills, experience and values meet the requirements of the position
• Appointment to this role is subject to the candidate's eligibility to work in Ireland. All positions require candidates to live in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.
• Candidates who engage in canvassing will be disqualified and excluded from the process

Late applications or applications not received through the correct channel, as indicated above, will not be considered.For queries related to the application or selection process related to this role, please contact cnam@cpl.ie

ReasonableAccommodations

Reasonable accommodations will be provided, if required, during the recruitment process. To discuss and request reasonable accommodations in confidence please contact Angeline McKiernan at amckiernan@cnam.ie

Coimisiún na Meán is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and are committed to championing an inclusive and diverse workforce which reflects modern Ireland. We work to create a culture where everyone has equal access to opportunity and feels comfortable to be their authentic selves at work.

Closing date: 3pm, 10th February 2026