Faculty Communications Officer
Professional 5
Communications, Marketing and Events Department
1 Year Fixed Term Contract
Overview of the CME Department
The University’s Communications, Marketing and Events (CME) Department uses its expertise to enable DCU to tell its story effectively across many channels, showing its value and impact on lives and society. It manages all aspects of the reputation of DCU, at a central level and through its support of DCU’s faculties, schools and academics. It comprises a number of strategically focussed teams which includes: Digital Communications, PR/Communications, Marketing and University Events. It is responsible for DCU’s digital communications, online engagement, media relations, public relations, external and internal communications, marketing, media training and crisis and risk management for the university. It is also responsible for the planning, delivery and support of a wide range of high quality, professional in person and virtual university events. It manages the DCU brand and its positioning, all of its central advertising and marketing campaigns, web content, graphic design, videography/photography, and supports individual faculties and units in delivering effective marketing and advertising promotional campaigns and materials.
DCU Faculty of Science and Health
The Faculty of Science and Health (FSH) is a large, vibrant, and agile faculty, with strengths both in teaching and learning and in research. It is one of the largest of the five faculties at DCU and comprises seven schools and 10 associated research centres. The Faculty has a broad and diverse portfolio of education programmes and research activities, from theoretical science to applied science to healthcare. These reflect the disciplinary focus of each of the Faculty’s seven schools but also involve multidisciplinary collaborations within the Faculty, with other schools outside of the Faculty and with external partners.
Across its seven schools the Faculty provides education programmes in physics, chemistry, biological sciences, sports science, physical education and health, actuarial and financial mathematics, psychology, nursing, psychotherapy and community health, environmental science, and science education.
The Faculty has a rich range of research disciplines across the life, physical, chemical and social sciences that include established areas such as diagnostics, sensors, plasma, biotherapeutics, astrophysics, cancer, and water, and newer developing clusters of research expertise in areas such as ageing, chronic disease, wellbeing, lifestyle and nutrition, community engaged research, and e-integrated health care.
DCU Faculty of Engineering and Computing
The Faculty of Engineering and Computing is home to three Schools and hosts or participates in a number of large scale research centres. It offers degree programmes at Bachelors, Masters and PhD levels, while online Level 9 courses are now enabling those in employment to upskill in sought after areas such as Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things. Its graduates continue to be highly sought after by industry, and their continued employability is assured through the Faculty’s ever deepening links with industry partners and an evolving curriculum that allows real-world work experience, industry-led team challenges and global engagement in line with DCU’s internationalisation strategy.
Role Profile
This new role will be primarily responsible for assisting with the implementation of the internal and external strategic communications plans of the Faculty of Science and Health and the Faculty of Engineering and Computing aligned to the University’s overall strategic plan. This role will come under the direction of the Director of Communications, Marketing and Events and the Communications Manager within DCU’s CME department but it will be dedicated to the work of both the Faculty of Science and Health (FSH) and Faculty of Engineering and Computing (FEC). The post holder will work closely with faculty management and the Executive Dean to highlight the faculty’s research reputation.
Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not restricted to, the following:
* Assisting with the creation of a strategic communications plan and calendar of activity for the faculty
* Writing targeted news releases, articles for regional, national and international audiences
* Delivering impactful media coverage for both faculties
* Working with faculty staff to help them write op-eds and articles for RTÉ Brainstorm and The Conversation
* Implementation of a research communications strategy for the FSH and FEC
* Preparing briefing materials for senior leadership, in the FSH/FEC, in advance of engagements with media or key public or industry representatives
* Work with communications offices of government, Industry and academic partners as required
* Working with Heads of School to identify programme media opportunities
* Facilitate press and media inquiries, interview requests, (in conjunction with the CME communications team)
* Media management of events at the university, working with other university departments, photographers, videographers etc
* Supporting faculty internal communications including newsletters
* Be aware of and across media opportunities for FSH and FEC academic staff and research working with the seven schools in the FSH and three schools in FEC
* Develop content for and update the FSH and FEC website and social media channels.
* Any other strategic duties, which may be assigned by the Communications Manager or Executive Dean
Essential Criteria:
* A minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience at an appropriate level working in communications, preferably in a busy agency or multi-disciplinary environment
* The successful individual will hold a primary degree or equivalent in communications, public relations, journalism or other relevant field
* Experience in media relations, public relations, marketing communications or journalism
* Strong interpersonal skills with proven experience of building and managing relationships with internal and external audiences
* Excellent organisational and IT skills with experience creating content for web and social media channels
In addition, the successful candidate will ideally have:
* Previous experience of working in higher education would be a distinct advantage, as would the ability to work through the medium of Irish
* Experience in research, science, technology or business sectors is an advantage
* Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written
* Experience of working in a team environment
Essential Training
The postholder will be required to undertake the following essential compliance training: Orientation, Health & Safety, Data Protection (GDPR) and all Cyber Security Awareness Training. Other training may need to be undertaken when required.
Salary Scale:
Professional 5: €57,495 - €69,270
Appointment will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and in line with current Government pay policy
Closing date: Friday, 16th May 2025
Additional Information
Please note this role does not meet criteria for a Critical Skills permit as stipulated by the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment.
Remote Working Policy
From the 1st of November 2024, DCU will operate its newly agreed Remote Working Policy. Employees may be approved for up to 2 days of remote working per week (or an appropriate pro rata amount for those part time). Any remote working arrangement will be reflective of the predominant on-campus working environment and the core University value of 'Student Focused'. Employees will be based on campus for the majority of their working week to ensure a sustained on campus engagement and experience. The terms of the remote working policy will apply.
For more information on DCU and benefits, please visit Why work at DCU?
Informal Enquiries in relation to this role should be directed to:
Ms Céline Crawford, Director of Communications & Marketing Department, Dublin City University.
Phone + 353 01 700 5184 Email: celine.crawford@dcu.ie
Please do not send applications to this email address, instead apply as described below.
Application Procedure:
Please submit your application through the online system. In order to be considered for the role to which you are applying for, you must upload:
1) Curriculum Vitae
2) Cover Letter
3) Completed application form (blank forms can be downloaded from the bottom of the Vacancy).
Please note, if all items are not uploaded, the application will be deemed incomplete, and will not be processed.
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