Director of Public Affairs
Employer:
An Integrated strategic Communications Agency
Location:
Dublin (hybrid)
Reports to:
Managing Director, Ireland
Contract:
Permanent, full-time
About the Role
Our client is seeking a senior public affairs leader to continue to shape and drive the firm's public policy and regulatory affairs business for a diverse client portfolio. The Director of Public Affairs will continue to define and refine the public affairs offering, oversee an integrated team delivering across PA and corporate communications, provide C‑suite counsel, and contribute to the firm's commercial growth in Ireland and the EU/UK and globally.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy & Leadership
* Continue to define, refine and deliver the agency's public affairs business for priority clients and for our client's PA portfolio, aligned to the firm's growth ambitions.
* Serve as lead strategic adviser to senior client stakeholders (Boards, C‑suite), translating complex policy and political dynamics into clear advice and action for these clients.
* Oversee, coach and develop a high‑performing team; set objectives, provide guidance on priorities and workload, and foster a culture of excellence and accountability.
* Embed and continuously improve best‑practice methodologies for insight, planning, execution and measurement across all public affairs engagements.
* Seek opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the practice in European, UK and global markets.
Policy, Regulation & Insight
* Horizon‑scan political, regulatory and policy developments across Ireland and relevant EU/UK institutions; translate insights into timely strategies and recommendations.
* Lead development of position papers, consultation responses, pre‑legislative submissions, policy briefings and thought leadership.
* Oversee stakeholder and issue mapping; identify allies, opponents and coalitions to shape effective influence routes.
Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy
* Build, maintain and appropriately leverage trusted, senior relationships across Government (Ministers, Special Advisers, senior officials), the Oireachtas, regulators, local authorities and key third‑party influencers—operating transparently within statutory lobbying and transparency rules.
* Design and execute integrated advocacy campaigns that blend direct engagement with research, content, events and digital mobilisation.
* Prepare clients for engagement (briefings, talking points, Q&As) and represent clients where appropriate.
Integrated Communications (in support of PA goals)
* Ensure communications strategy and narrative are aligned to policy objectives and advocacy plans.
* Coordinate the integrated team's press office and media relations activity; provide counsel and escalation, with day‑to‑day delivery handled by the team.
* Oversee executive visibility (speeches, op‑eds, events) and owned/earned content that advances policy positions.
* Partner with digital/creative colleagues on social/digital campaigns and ensure clear measurement of comms impact that supports PA outcomes.
Issues, Reputation & Crisis Preparedness
* Advise on sensitive issues, inquiries and media/political scrutiny; develop scenarios, mitigation plans and rapid‑response frameworks.
* Partner with our client's communications colleagues to ensure policy and reputation strategies are fully integrated.
Commercial & Practice Growth
* Act as account lead on flagship projects and retainers; ensure delivery to scope, quality, timeline and budget.
* Contribute significantly to new business: identify opportunities, shape proposals, support/lead pitches as needed, and nurture a strong market network.
* Contribute insights to practice performance and to firmwide leadership initiatives.
Governance & Compliance
* Ensure all activity complies with relevant lobbying and transparency regulations (e.g., Irish lobbying returns and EU Transparency Register) and with client governance requirements.
* Uphold the highest ethical standards of engagement and data stewardship.
Experience & Track Record
* 10+ years' experience in public affairs, policy, political advisory, or a closely related field; agency and/or in‑house leadership experience preferred.
* Primary specialism in public affairs with proven ability to integrate corporate communications to advance policy objectives.
* Demonstrable success shaping policy outcomes or securing regulatory change in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments.
* Deep understanding of Ireland's political, parliamentary and regulatory systems; familiarity with EU institutions and processes is highly desirable.
* Fluent in the machinery of government: Cabinet and Oireachtas processes, Departmental decision‑making, regulatory cycles and public consultations; knows how to progress issues through the system, appropriately and transparently.
* Established, trusted relationships across Government (Ministers, Special Advisers, senior officials), the Oireachtas, regulators and key policy fora; recognised as a credible, solutions‑focused counterpart. Brings a current network and can convene the right people quickly, operating with discretion and integrity.
* Experience overseeing media activity in support of public affairs objectives; able to provide counsel and escalation on sensitive issues while day‑to‑day media relations are delivered by the integrated team.
Skills & Behaviours
* Strategic thinker with excellent judgement; able to simplify complexity and set clear, outcome‑focused plans.
* Exceptional written and verbal communication: drafts persuasive submissions, briefings and thought leadership; confident presenter.
* Media‑savvy operator: message development, press office oversight, media relations and spokesperson coaching.
* Advanced stakeholder mapping, coalition‑building, and negotiation skills.
* Political nous and institutional fluency; can navigate and convene at senior levels across government and policy circles.
* People manager who develops talent and builds inclusive, high‑performance cultures.
* Commercially astute with a track record in new business development, client growth, proposal development and effective budget stewardship.