Communications and Engagement Manager - Maternity Cover

Public Relations Institute of Ireland; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 24 days

Hybrid working

+4 PTO

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Mental Health Reform in Dublin is seeking an experienced Communications and Engagement Manager on a maternity cover contract. The role leads the communications unit within the Senior Leadership Team and drives strategic campaigns, media relations, and stakeholder engagement.

You will oversee digital content, events, fundraising collaboration, and reporting, while coaching staff and ensuring GDPR compliance.

Qualifications

• Senior communications experience with a track record of strategic campaigns.
• Ability to lead a team and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal English.
• Experience in and familiarity with Ireland's community/voluntary sector.
• Experience with media interviews.

Responsibilities

• Lead the communications and engagement unit as part of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Develop and implement communications strategy aligned with organisational plans.
• Manage brand, events, and webinars.
• Develop high-quality reports and resources.
• Oversee social media and digital content.
• Build partnerships with stakeholders and member organisations.
• Lead fundraising initiatives and proposals.
• Ensure GDPR and data protection compliance.
• Coach staff and manage performance.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Communication strategy

Stakeholder management

Media relations

Team leadership

Campaign design

Digital content

Event management

Strong writing

Public speaking

Education

Third-level qualification

Tools

Salesforce

Mailchimp

Website management

Social media management

Job description

• Communications and Engagement Manager - Maternity Cover

Contract type Fixed Contract

Closing date 04 Oct 2026 11:59 PM

Location Dublin

Mental Health Reform is seeking to recruit an experienced, creative, and strategic Communications and Engagement Manager on a maternity cover contract.This position manages the communication and engagement unit and is a key member of the organisation’s Senior Leadership Team.

Main responsibilities

a) Advancing Strategic Leadership

• Actively contribute as a member of MHR’s Senior Leadership Team, supporting effective organisational leadership and cross-functional decision-making
• Contribute to the development, implementation and review of MHR’s strategic and operational plans
• Participate in key organisational decisions, providing strategic advice and insight from a communications, membership and fundraising perspective.
• Lead, manage and coach staff within the MHR performance management system
• Supervise staff, interns and/or volunteers as required
• Lead the development and implementation of MHR’s communications strategy in line with MHR’s strategic and operational plans
• Manage and enhance MHR’s brand, image, and positioning
• Oversee the organisation of events and webinars
• Design and implement high-quality communications and advocacy campaigns
• Develop and manage projects involving staff, stakeholders, and member organisations
• Oversee the development and design of high-quality reports, publications and resources
• Work alongside the Communications and Membership Officer to develop digital content including graphics, videos, newsletters and website content
• Oversee the management of MHR’s social media platforms, ensuring strong engagement and growth
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communications activities

Media Relations

• Proactively develop and manage relationships with regional and national online, broadcast and print media
• Maximise media exposure for MHR by identifying and proposing media opportunities
• Develop media materials including press releases, speaking notes, key messages, and guest articles
• Engage with people with lived experience of mental health difficulties to share case studies with the media, in line with MHR policy
• Monitor media activity on mental health and related areas

Systems & Data Management

• Manage communications databases including Salesforce and Mailchimp
• Oversee the maintenance of MHR’s website to maximise effective communication of information and messages
• Develop data-management and reporting procedures for communications systems and platforms
• Oversee the implementation of MHR’s member engagement strategy
• Build and maintain internal communication processes to ensure MHR is effectively communicating with its members
• Strengthen member engagement in projects, events, campaigns and other key activities
• Establish and maintain key partnerships with stakeholders across the mental health sector

d) Managing and implementing MHR’s fundraising strategy

• Oversee and manage MHR’s fundraising approach and strategy
• Identify and submit grant funding proposals
• Proactively identify and secure corporate fundraising partnerships
• Lead on the development of new funding streams
• Develop fundraising procedures and policies

e) Assisting MHR to deliver on its overall strategic goals

• Work within the framework of the overall objectives and the policies and practices of the MHR
• Ensure all work undertaken complies with data protection and GDPR rules
• Contribute to the promotion of equality of opportunity, anti-discriminatory practice, diversity, individual rights and choice in all aspects of work
• Carry out other administrative duties as required
• Participate in relevant training and development courses as agreed with the CEO
• Undertake such other duties as might be reasonably assigned from time to time by the CEO
• Be vigilant to any Health, Safety and risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of the CEO or Health & Safety Representative

The person

Skills, knowledge and experience required:

• A third-level qualification in a relevant discipline
• Satisfactory relevant experience in a senior communications role
• Demonstrated results from the design and implementation of successful campaigns
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage tight deadlines
• Fluent speaker and writer of English
• Proven exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written
• Excellent IT skills with experience managing websites and social media platforms
• Creativity with an ability to generate engaging messages for a variety of audiences
• Proven experience of developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders to advance organisational priorities and achieve strategic goals.
• An ability to work with initiative and autonomy and take responsibility for a functional role within a small team
• Experience of managing staff to achieve deliverables
• Experience in and familiarity with the community and voluntary sector in Ireland
• Experience in fundraising and corporate partnerships
• Familiarity with mental health issues in Ireland
• Experience with media interviews, as interviewee or in a supporting capacity
• The salary will be commensurate with skills & experience with the salary band 50k – 60k.
• Mental Health Reform operates the following benefits for its employees:
• Annual leave 24 days, exclusive of public holidays, 1 wellbeing day per year.
• Hybrid working arrangement
• Additional 4 days of PTO per year (Good Friday & Christmas)
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme

Additional notes:

• Candidates must have the legal right to work and reside in Ireland at the time of application.
• Flexibility is required regarding hours as some weekend and evening work will be necessary. Travel and out of office work will also be a feature of the role.
• This job description is not a definitive list of tasks; rather it is designed to give an overview of the job. It is envisaged that the post-holder will use their own initiative and develop the job under guidance so that the organisations aims are achieved. It should be noted that the organisation is dynamic and fast paced and it may be necessary to step beyond the areas outlined above to support others from time to time.
• All documentation received by Mental Health Reform will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Acts, 1988 and 2003 General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR; 2018). The information will only be used by Mental Health Reform in the processing of job applications and for ongoing administrative purposes with job candidates.

Closing date for the submission of applications is Sunday 4th October 11:59pm. Late submissions will not be considered

Interviews are expected to take place the week of the 12th October.