Communications Manager - Press

The Arts Council | An Chomhairle Ealaíon; Dublin; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Arts Council in Ireland is seeking a Communications Manager - Press to lead press and public relations activities. The role requires a proactive, strategic communications professional with experience in managing media campaigns and strong interpersonal skills.

You will work with a busy, mission‑driven team and report to the Communications Director, contributing to high standards of public service. The successful candidate will coordinate PR planning, liaise with internal teams, and manage

Qualifications

• Proven public relations planning and delivery (6–10 years) in a similar role.
• Successfully led press/PR campaigns.
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication, with tact.
• Experience in people management.
• Strong administrative and organisational skills.
• Creative thinker with strong idea generation.
• Strategic thinker with project management skills.
• Excellent ICT skills including Word, Excel, Outlook.
• Ability to work well in a team and manage own workload.
• Commitment to high standards of public service.
• Irish language communication is desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage press and public relations function.
• Devise and implement media campaigns for Arts Council projects.
• Manage PR planning and reporting.
• Develop and manage media relations.
• Support Communications Officer- Press.
• Liaise with Communications Manager – Digital and Internal on planning.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders as required.
• Assist Communications Director as required.
• Take on additional communications activities as needed.

Skills

Public relations planning

Press campaigns leadership

Communication skills

People management

Administrative skills

Creative thinking

Strategic thinking

Project management

ICT skills

Teamwork

Public service commitment

Irish language (desirable)

Education

Third level qualification

Job description

A. Details

Position: Communications Manager - Press

Grade: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

Whole time equivalent: Full-time (35 hours per week)

Reports to: Communications Director

Duration: Permanent

Role Closing Date: 12 noon, Thursday 19th of November, 2026.

B. Department & Role Overview

The Arts Council is the national government agency for funding, developing and promoting the arts in Ireland. Its role is to advocate, advise, invest and work in partnership with others, tocultivate a vibrant arts environment at the heart of Irish society.

The Arts Council is looking to recruit a highly motivated and experienced Communications Manager - Press.The successful applicant will be given the opportunity to be part of a busy, mission driven organisation and a highly motivated and dynamic team.

C. Key Responsibilities

• Manage press and public relations function;
• Devise and implement media campaigns for a variety of Arts Council projects;
• Manage PR planning and reporting;
• Develop and manage media relations;
• Supports Communications Officer- Press;
• Liaise with Communications Manager – Digital regarding project planning;
• Liaise with Communications Manager - Internal regarding project planning;
• Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders as required;
• Assist Communications Director as required;
• Additional communications activities as needed.

Note:

Arts Council roles and responsibilities are subject to change as per on-going and future organisational requirements and developments. Other duties appropriate to the grade that may be assigned from time to time.

D. Skills Knowledge and Experiences

• Proven experience in public relations planning and delivery (minimum 6 -10 years in a similar role);
• Demonstrable success in leading press / PR campaigns;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and interpersonal, including the capacity to deal with situations requiring diplomacy and tact;
• Experience in people management;
• Excellent administrative and organisational skills;
• Strong creative ability and idea generation;
• Strategic thinker;
• Strong project management skills;
• Excellent ICT skills including Word, Excel, Outlook;
• Ability to work well in a team environment be self-motivated and able to manage own workload;
• A commitment to high standards of public service;
• The ability to communicate through the Irish language, both verbal and written, is desirable but not essential.

Desirable:

• A relevant third level qualification;
• Knowledge of and / or interest in the arts sector.