Media Relations and Public Affairs Manager - Higher Executive Officer - Specified Purpose Contract

Cpl; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid role (home & office)

Dublin office location

Job summary

Coimisiún na Meán is seeking a Media Relations and Public Affairs Manager on a specified purpose contract. The role focuses on media relations, public affairs and government engagement, operating a busy press office and engaging TDs, Senators and officials.

The role sits in the Communications team with potential leadership over staff and external monitoring. It offers a hybrid arrangement and a clear pathway to impact Ireland's media regulation agenda.

Qualifications

• At least three years’ relevant experience, working in two or more of the following areas: Media Relations/Press Office, Public Affairs, Public Relations, Politics.
• Previous work experience in communications consultancy/agency or in-house communications in private or public sectors, or working for a TD, Senator or Political Party.
• Experience drafting press releases, responding to media queries and communicating with journalists by email and phone.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organisational, planning, time management, project management and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively and build relationships with journalists, media personnel and communication professionals.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day Media Relations and press office queries.
• Lead drafting and issuing press releases to support announcements.
• Assist Public Affairs including Parliamentary Questions and spokespeople for Oireachtas appearances.
• Prepare spokespeople for media interviews with briefing notes.
• Monitor and analyse media coverage and related topics.
• Track political developments in the Oireachtas and beyond.
• Manage Executive Officer-level staff within the function.
• Oversee external media monitoring service contracts and related admin.
• Collaborate with other teams to plan communications activities.
• Develop core project materials like key messages and briefing notes.

Skills

Media relations

Public affairs

Public relations

Politics

Job description

Our client, Coimisiún na Meán, are currently seeking a Media Relations and Public Affairs Manager to join their team on a specified purpose contract basis.

About This Role

Role Purpose

The purpose of this role is to support Coimisiún na Meán’s communications activities, with a focus on media relations and public affairs. An Coimisiún operates a busy press office function, dealing with journalists in Ireland and across the EU due to our central role in regulating online platforms. We also engage regularly with TDs, Senators, government officials, and other public bodies are prepare representatives for Oireachtas Committee appearances.

Commissioners and other staff are visible and active externally, explaining our mission, organisation and work to a range of audiences. We are looking for a team member who can contribute across all these areas.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an established public sector organisation with an important story to tell. The work of a regulator can seem complex and technical. Our team’s role is to bring it to life in a way that resonates with our various audiences.

About the Team/Division

The Media Relations and Public Affairs function sits within the Communications team at Coimisiún na Meán. It plays a vital role in shaping and maintaining the organisation's reputation and relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

We develop and implement communications approaches to promote awareness and understanding of Coimisiún na Meán’s role and activities. This includes engaging with the media through press releases and press conferences, and with elected representatives through Parliamentary Questions and participation at Oireachtas Committees.

Our work aims to foster a positive and informed public discussion about Coimisiún na Meán’s role and responsibilities in media development and in regulating broadcasters, video-on-demand services, and online platforms.

The Communications team has two other functions: Digital and Brand, and Internal Communications and Events. The Media Relations and Public Affairs function works very closely with both.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing the day-to-day running of Coimisiún na Meán’s Media Relations function, including handling incoming media queries and coordinatinginterview requestsas part of a busy press office.
• Leading the drafting and issuing of press releases to support public understanding of Coimisiún na Meán’s latest announcements and ongoing activities.
• Supporting the management of Coimisiún na Meán’s Public Affairs function, including drafting responses to Parliamentary Questions and preparing spokespeople for Oireachtas Committee appearances.
• Assisting with the preparation of spokespeople for media interviews, including drafting briefing notes and key messages.
• Assisting with the monitoring and analysis of Coimisiún na Meán's media coverage as well as other topics of interest to the organisation.
• Tracking political developments in the Oireachtas and beyond, ensuring that colleagues across Coimisiún na Meán are kept informed of relevant developments.
• Managing a staff member at Executive Officer level within the Media Relations and Public Affairs function, including allocating tasks and duties and supporting their ongoing professional and personal development.
• Managing the existing contract with the external media monitoring service provider, including organising daily media clippings and handling relevant financial and contact arrangements.
• Working with other teams and divisions across Coimisiún na Meán to plan and deliver communications activities that support organisational and project objectives.
• Supporting the development and updating of core project materials, including key messages, response lines, briefings, and presentations, for use across multiple channels and platforms.

The above is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to review.

About You

Experience, Skills, Knowledge & Qualifications

Essential Criteria

• At least three years’ relevant experience, working in two or more of the following areas: Media Relations/Press Office, Public Affairs, Public Relations, Politics.
• Previous work experience in one or more of the following areas: communications consultancy/agency or in-house communications in the private sector, or in-house communications in the public sector or working for a TD, Senator or Political Party.
• Experience drafting press releases, responding to media queries and communicating with journalists and other media representatives by email and phone.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organisational, planning, time management, project management and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively and build strong relationships across teams and with relevant stakeholders, including journalists, media personnel and communication professionals in the public and private sectors.

Desirable Criteria

• An interest in public policy relating to broadcasting, print, online and digital media, and social media platforms and the technology sector.
• Strong attention to detail and an understanding of how to turn data and facts into compelling stories for specific target audiences.

Key Information

Benefits, Package & Pay

• This position is offered on a specified purpose basis of approximately 6-9 months.
• Full time, 35 hrs per week
• Annual Leave: 29 days per annum
• The role will be a hybrid role combining home and office working.
• Our current hybrid policy is 2 days in the office.
• Our office is located at One Shelbourne Buildings, Shelbourne Road, Dublin 4, D04 NP20.
• For a full list of benefits see the website.
• This position is graded at the Higher Executive Officer scale
• Successful candidates will be appointed on the first point of the scale.

Citizenship Requirement

Eligible Candidates must be:

(a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

(b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

(c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

(d) A non-EEA citizen who has a stamp 4 permission* or stamp 5 permission; or

(e) Hold valid Temporary Protection permission granted by the Irish Government under the EU Temporary Protection Directive, entitling them to work in Ireland without an employment permit.

*Please note that a 50 TEU visa, which is a replacement for Stamp 4EUFAM after Brexit, is acceptable as a Stamp 4 equivalentTo qualify candidates must meet one of the citizenship criteria above at the time of application.

Application Process

If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit:

• A CV (max 2 pages) and a Cover letter/personal statement (max 1 page) outlining why you believe your skills, experience and values meet the requirements of the position.
• All positions require candidates to live in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.
• Candidates who engage in canvassing will be disqualified and excluded from the process.

Late applications or applications not received through the correct channel, as indicated above, will not be considered.

For queries related to the application or selection process related to this role, please contact [e-mail].

Privacy Notice

Coimisiún na Meán (An Coimisiún, CnaM, we, our) processes the personal data arising as a result of its recruitment campaign. The Data Controller is CnaM, and the Data Processor appointed by CnaM to conduct the recruitment process is CPL. The Data Controller’s contact details are - Data Protection Officer, Coimisiún na Meán 1 Shelbourne Buildings, Shelbourne Road, Dublin 4, D04 NP20, Ireland.

Email: [e-mail] Phone Number: 01 963 7755

CnaM will process the personal data collected during the recruitment process for the purpose of the review, consideration and selection of applications and the contacting of applicants. Third party recipients may include CnaM representatives. CnaM does not transfer personal data outside of the EU or EEA.

CnaM’s legal bases for collecting and processing this data may include:

• Contract - where the processing is necessary for the performance of a contract, or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract
• Consent - where you have given explicit consent to the processing (e.g. reasonable accommodations)

The personal data processed will be stored securely. This data will be stored for a maximum of 12 months in the event of an unsuccessful application.

Applicants have the right to access their data and to rectify any inaccuracies in their data. To do this, please write to the Data Protection Officer at the address listed above. Applicants have the right, where appropriate, to the erasure of their data and/or a restriction on processing of their data. In addition, data subjects have the right to lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Commission. Our full Data Protection Statement is available here: https://www.cnam.ie/governance/data-protection-privacy/privacy-statement/

Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations will be provided, if required, during the recruitment process. To discuss and request reasonable accommodations in confidence please contact Angeline McKiernan at [e-mail].

Coimisiún na Meán is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and are committed to championing an inclusive and diverse workforce which reflects modern Ireland. We work to create a culture where everyone has equal access to opportunity and feels comfortable to be their authentic selves at work.

Closing Date: 3pm, 10/11/2026