Chief Executive Officer
We are seeking a highly motivated and commercially astute leader to join our team as Chief Executive Officer. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to drive the strategic direction of our organisation, enhance its influence and value within the Irish public relations landscape, and contribute to the growth and development of our members.
The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the effective delivery of our strategic plan, ensuring that objectives are met and the organisation remains relevant and impactful. They will also be responsible for driving event success, leading the commercial success of our events, including our annual conference, by securing compelling content and maximising attendance.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Industry Influence:
* Drive the Strategic Plan: Lead the effective delivery of our strategic plan, ensuring that objectives are met and the organisation remains relevant and impactful.
* Champion the PR Profession: Actively enhance the profile and advocate for the PR profession in Ireland in the media and with external stakeholders, particularly on emerging issues like AI, through impactful communication and engagement.
* Identify Growth Opportunities: Proactively seek and develop new avenues for our organisation to expand its reach, membership value, and overall influence within the communications sector.
* Foster a High-Performing Team: Provide strong leadership to our staff, cultivating a collaborative and positive work environment focused on achieving organisational goals.
Financial Sustainability & Growth:
* Ensure Financial Stability: Maintain rigorous oversight of our finances, ensuring long-term sustainability through effective budgeting, financial performance monitoring, and cost management.
* Grow Diverse Revenue Streams: Strategically expand income generation across membership fees, educational programs, and events, ensuring the financial health of the organisation.
Member-Centric Engagement & Growth:
* Enhance Member Value: Further enhance engagement and satisfaction among our members by ensuring the organisation effectively addresses their professional needs and provides valuable benefits.
* Drive Membership Growth & Retention: Implement strategies to attract new members and retain existing ones, clearly articulating the value proposition of our membership within the Irish PR community.
* Oversee Quality Member Services: Ensure the delivery of high-quality services and benefits that directly support the professional development and success of our members.
Education & Professional Development Leadership:
* Strategic Oversight of Education: Lead our education programs, ensuring their quality, industry relevance, and commercial viability.
* Expand Educational Offerings: Explore and implement opportunities to diversify and grow our portfolio of educational and professional development programs.
Commercial Event Management & Communication:
* Drive Event Success: Lead the commercial success of our events, including our annual conference, by securing compelling content and maximising attendance.
* Enhance Marketing & Communications: Strategically bolster our communication and marketing efforts - particularly in the digital sphere - across all channels (newsletter, social media, website, etc.) to enhance our visibility and member engagement.
Corporate Governance:
* Ensure adherence to best corporate governance practice across strategic execution, reporting, operations, risk management, leadership and culture, stakeholder management, board collaboration and other areas aligned to the role as CEO.
* Ensure that the organisation complies with all legal, regulatory, and governance requirements.
* Maintain robust internal controls and risk management processes.
* Uphold standards of transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership.
Strategic Stakeholder Relationships:
* Cultivate Key Relationships: Build and maintain strong relationships with vital stakeholders, including our members, the Board, government bodies, educational institutions, and other relevant organisations within the Irish landscape.
* Represent the Organisation: Act as the key spokesperson and representative for the organisation at industry events and conferences, actively raising its profile and influence within the sector.
* Peer organisation engagement: Build relationships with international PR and Communications professional bodies to enhance shared learning and represent the Irish PR and Communications profession.
Efficient Operational Management:
* Oversee Day-to-Day Operations: Ensure the efficient and effective daily functioning of the organisation.
* Lead and Develop Staff: Manage and develop the organisation's team across various functions (education, events, operations, communications, administration).
* Leverage Technology: Ensure the effective utilisation of technology to optimise the organisation's operations and member services.
Person Specification
The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated and commercially astute leader with a proven track record of success in a similar role. They will possess:
* Significant experience in a membership organisation.
* Solid commercial experience, with a strong understanding of revenue generation and financial management.
* Experience in developing and delivering successful events.
* Exceptional communication, diplomacy, and interpersonal skills.
* Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities, with a proven track record of delivering on strategic objectives and an ability to delegate operational detail.
* The ability to drive and grow a small organisation.
* Experience presenting to a board.
* A proactive and self-directed approach, with the ability to work independently.
* While not a prerequisite, experience with digital/social media tools and technologies is desirable, as well as a strong understanding of the Irish PR landscape and a passion for the PR profession.