Director of Communications & Public Affairs
Application Deadline: 25 July 2025
Department: General Management
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Dublin
Description
Position: Director of Communications & Public Affairs
Reporting To: Chief Executive Officer
Role Overview: The Director of Communications & Public Affairs will have key responsibility for driving and managing the communications and public affairs strategy of The Bar of Ireland. The role requires a candidate who has experience in communications, policy and public affairs, where they have been required to engage with a wide range of stakeholders both internally and externally.
Understanding The Role
Drawing on the work of the Council and the Committees, our members are a valuable source of independent insight and knowledge on national and sectoral issues. The Director of Communications & Public Affairs will:
* Work alongside the Chief Executive, leading on the organisation's communications strategy, internal and external, with a particular focus on the management of an integrated public affairs and public relations plan and promotion of the profession;
* Work with the Council and its Committees to maintain and enhance the communications strategy and its integration with the Council's policy, public affairs and events agenda;
* Facilitate and coordinate the work of committees and policy working groups to optimise their outputs;
* Proactively seek out opportunities to promote the profession as the authoritative voice on legal and law reform matters;
* Work with the Chief Executive and the Council to enhance and manage relationships with key stakeholders ;
* Work with the Council and Senior Management Team to identify opportunities to promote, communicate and enhance member services and benefits that deliver value and impact for members;
* Manage and provide leadership to a team of talented individuals to deliver on the strategic objectives of the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
o Political and Public Affairs: Capitalising on our members unique work and priorities to offer influential, credible and timely input to Oireachtas, Government, Departmental and other activities (submissions, consultations, campaigns)
o Public Relations: Enhance and develop novel approaches to engaging the public to understand the work of barristers, the courts and our justice system.
o Media: Providing commentary, explanations and support to the media on complex legal developments, as well as strengthening our relationships with a broad range of media on organisational priorities.
o Social Media: Optimising our successful LinkedIn, Instagram and other social media platforms through best-in class strategies, engaging messaging and content, including video and audio
o Digital Marketing: Strengthen and develop our digital marketing approach, through analysis of our inbound and outbound marketing efforts, including our website performance and potential.
o Thought leadership: Develop and implement a framework for showcasing relevant and timely insights to key audiences (solicitors, inhouse counsel, State agencies and wider justice sector) and raising the profile of the independent referral bar.
o Stakeholder management and networking: Be an active participant and representative of the organisation with our key stakeholders, including Department of Justice, Courts Service, LSRA, civil society organisation and others
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
* A third level business/communications/professional qualification
* A minimum of five years' experience in a communications/policy/public affairs role at a senior management level preferably in a professional representative body and/or public affairs environment
* Outstanding communicator who has the ability to engage with key stakeholders including the profession, Government, the wider professional and business community and media and the ability to build effective and enduring working relationships with stakeholders
* Extensive public affairs and public relations experience with excellent research skills and the ability to analyse, simplify and communicate complex information
* Ability to think and act innovatively in the delivery of a communications plan, including experience in digital media and other technologies which can contribute to the effective execution of a communications and public affairs strategy
* Ability to provide advice and best-practice insights to support the Council and its Committees on media and public relations matters, including the crafting and delivery of appropriate communications and messaging
* Strong organisation/project management skills, and the ability to manage several workstreams concurrently, managing challenging deadlines and changing priorities within tight deadlines
* Familiarity with the legal sector is desirable
* Experience of developing, mentoring and managing an agile team.
Benefits
* Competitive Salary
* Holidays - 25 days
* Pension
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Death in Service Benefit
* Income Protection
* Laya Digital Gym & Wellbeing Studio
* Flexible working
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