Tourism Strategy and Cruise Coordinator

SECTION 1: THE ROLE

Cork County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which temporary vacancies for Tourism Strategy and Cruise Coordinator may be filled.

The appointed individual will play a key role in developing and implementing tourism strategies and initiatives that strengthen Cork County Council’s position in achieving its tourism objectives. This will involve ensuring alignment with relevant local, regional, and national plans, fostering strong collaboration with stakeholders, and driving projects that enhance Cork’s overall tourism offering. Key reference plans include the Cork City, Harbour and East Cork Destination Experience Development Plan (DEDP), the West Cork Coast and Kenmare DEDP, future DEDPs, the Cork County Development Plan, the Cork County Corporate Plan, and the Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP). The appointment will be on a three-year contractual basis.

The person appointed will also be responsible for managing and leading the Council’s Cruise Tourism role. The person will contribute to the continual improvement of the overall cruise tourism strategy for the Council. Cruise tourism involves a number of Directorates and Departments across the Council, as well as outside agencies and bodies.

The person appointed must be a strong and influential person who can engage and influence a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. They must have solid experience in tourism, with particular experience in cruise tourism being an advantage. They will bring their specialist knowledge to the delivery of excellent, client-focused cruise tourism. They will be tasked with the development and delivery of cruise tourism throughout Cork County. They will also work as part of the Council’s Community, Tourism & Rural Development Directorate and contribute to the work of the Tourism team.

SECTION 2: DUTIES

The duties may include but are not limited to the following and the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her by management from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Development and implementation of local tourism strategies and action plans in line with national policy and delivery of objectives of DEDPs, LECP, Corporate Plan and County Development Plan.

Manage tourism-related projects, including grant applications and funding compliance.

Monitor project delivery, budgets, and timelines in accordance with public sector governance standards.

Prepare reports and recommendations for senior management, elected members and the Tourism Strategic Policy Committee.

Liaise with Fáilte Ireland, local businesses, community groups, and other agencies

Provide advice and assistance in the development of Cruise Tourism, and general Tourism advice to the Council.

Develop a cruise tourism and marketing strategy for small, expedition type, luxury cruise liners calling to Cork County Council’s smaller ports and islands and visiting local attractions in a tailor-made and sustainable manner, incl. plans to meet objectives.

Develop a tourism and marketing strategy for superyachts and other visiting leisure crafts in the region.

Boost last-minute bookings for the upcoming season and maximise bookings for future.

Identify cruise operators who can operate in and deliver on Cork County Council’s tourism objectives.

Marketing and promotion of County Cork to cruise operators.

Develop press releases and social media content for circulation by Cork County Council’s Communications Team.

Attend Cruise Trade Shows to lead marketing and promotion, as required.

Compile, prepare and update of promotional documents and products.

Engage with community, enterprise and tourism representatives to refresh and update visitor product.

Liaise with trade organisations, Fáilte Ireland and other relevant organisations to market and develop cruise tourism, as required.

Coordination of activities before, during and after cruise ship visits, including:

a. Liaise with visiting cruise ships, on behalf of Cork County Council.

b. Liaise with shore operators – maintain a physical presence on the day to liaise with ground handlers, tourism service providers, coach operators, expedition leaders, local communities and other government agencies.

c. Liaise with port authorities, on behalf of Cork County Council.

Support operational staff, as required, during cruise call days or during other cruise related events.

Prepare and deliver periodic report to management, as required.

Any other duties which from time to time may be allocated by Line Management.

SECTION 3: ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA / QUALIFICATIONS

Character

Each candidate must be of good character.

Health

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

Education, Experience

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

a) Have at least obtained Grade D (or a Pass), in Higher or Ordinary Level in 5 subjects (or 4 subjects if Irish is included) from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education Established Leaving Certificate Examination or Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme including Irish and/or English and one of the following: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics, AND

b) Have obtained at least Grade C (or Honours) in higher level (or Honours) papers in 3 subjects in that examination (2 subjects if Irish and/or one of the following is included: Mathematics, Accounting, Business Organisation or Economics) OR

c) Have obtained a comparable standard in an equivalent examination, OR

d) Hold a third level qualification of at least degree standard, and

e) Have significant experience in managing marketing and communications for a large organisation, including experience across a range of the following: media relations, radio interviews, local and national print media, social media, digital content development, managing press / communications team resources, marketing, branding, internal communication management, event management and public relations.

Desirable Qualifications

Have attained qualifications in a relevant discipline and/or a professional qualification in a tourism related discipline.

Required Skillset

In the context of the key duties and responsibilities for the post of Tourism Strategy and Cruise Coordinator listed above, the ideal candidate should demonstrate through their application form and at the interview that they have knowledge and experience of:

• Demonstrable experience of managing day to day internal and external communication;

• A proven track record and ability in events management;

• An understanding of the local authority system;

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to network, build relationships and engage effectively with, and influence, stakeholders at all levels of seniority;

• Proven ability to deal with multiple demands and competing priorities to tight deadlines;

• Experience of managing and developing staff together with strong research, analytical and organisational skills;

• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, and experience in communicating complex issues clearly.

Age

Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant within the meaning of the Public Services Superannuation Act, 2004. A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 70 years of age.

Transport

Holders of the office shall hold a full driving licence for Class B Vehicles and when required to do so shall have access to a motor car to carry out their duties.

SECTION 4: COMPETENCIES

A Competency Based Application form requires you to describe some of your personal achievements to date that demonstrate certain competencies (necessary skills and qualities) required for the position for which you are applying. For each competency you are given a description of a skill or quality. You are then asked to describe a situation, from your own experience, which you think is the best example of what YOU have done which demonstrates this skill or quality.

It is essential that you describe how you demonstrated the skill or quality in question. Therefore, compose your replies carefully in this section and try to structure what you write so that you give specific information about what you have done. For example, do not simply say that “X was successful”, describe exactly what you did and how you demonstrated the skill or quality in question.

For each example please include the following:

a) The nature of the task, problem or objective;

b) What you actually did and how you demonstrated the skill or quality (and, where appropriate, the date you demonstrated it);

c) The outcome or result of the situation and your estimate of the proportion of credit you can claim for the outcome.

SECTION 5: TENURE

The position is temporary and fulltime. The post is pensionable. The initial contract duration is three years.

A panel may be formed to fill temporary vacancies for Tourism Strategy and Cruise Coordinator that may arise during the lifetime of the panel.

SECTION 6: SELECTION PROCESS

The recruitment selection process will include an interview. Candidates will be assessed under the following criteria:

• Delivering Results

• Leading and Motivating & Managing Performance

• Communicating Effectively

• Personal Effectiveness

• Knowledge & Experience relevant to the post.

A panel may be formed on the basis of such interview. Candidates whose names are on a panel and who satisfy the local authority that they possess the qualifications declared for the office and that they are otherwise suitable for appointment may within the life of the panel be appointed as appropriate vacancies arise.

SECTION 7: SALARY

The salary scale for the post is: €60,011 - €78,015 basic per annum.

€60,011 – €61,480 – €63,194 – €64,914 – €66,634 – €68,170 – €69,745 – €71,269 – €72,790 (Maximum) – €75,395 (1st LSI) (after 3 years satisfactory service on the Maximum) – €78,015 (2nd LSI) (after 3 years satisfactory service on the 1st LSI).

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. In accordance with Departmental Circular letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011 will enter the scale for the position at a minimum point.

Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.

SECTION 8: LOCATION OF POST

The initial work base will be County Hall, Carrigrohane Road, Cork.

Cork County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department, premises or district in use by the Council now or in the future. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or compensation. The person appointed will be required to provide him/herself at his/her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

SECTION 9: WORKING HOURS

The normal working hours will be 35 hours per week. Duties may require the successful applicant to work outside of normal working hours, i.e. attendance at evening and weekend events, as part of normal working hours. As the lead on cruise tourism, the successful candidate will be required to be in attendance at times where cruise ships are visiting.

All hours worked will be subject to the provision of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 as amended.