PR & Media Manager

Connacht Rugby; Galway; Hybrid; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Connacht Rugby is seeking a PR & Media Manager to lead the club’s public relations, media and communications strategy from the HPC in Galway. The role involves day-to-day media delivery, briefing staff and coordinating with coaches, players and executives, and frequent travel.

You will develop an annual PR plan, manage media activity across channels and ensure consistent brand messaging while supporting commercial goals and fan engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, PR or related field.
• Minimum 5 years PR/media experience.
• Proven ability to plan and execute PR campaigns.
• Excellent writing and media briefing skills.

Responsibilities

• Be the club's primary media contact and manage press relations.
• Develop and execute the annual PR & Media plan.
• Coordinate press conferences, media events and interviews.
• Monitor media coverage and report results to SLT.
• Brief and prep coaching staff and players for media duty.
• Support brand messaging and storytelling across channels.

Skills

Media relations

Communication

Team leadership

Time management

Content development

Irish media network

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications/PR

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Location: Dexcom Stadium, College Road, Galway, with travel required as part of the role.

Contract: Full-time, 2-year fixed term.

Role and Purpose of Position:

The PR & Media Manager is a full-time, fixed-term position based at the Connacht Rugby High-Performance Centre (HPC) at Dexcom Stadium, Galway, Ireland. The successful candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the organisation's public relations, media, and communications strategy. The role will help drive positive media coverage, strengthen the organisation's reputation, support commercial objectives, and enhance engagement with supporters, sponsors, governing bodies, players, and the wider rugby community.

This role will require frequent weekend work and travel.

Responsibilities

Media Relations

• Be the key contact for the club in relation to all media and PR matters.
• Build effective working relationships with regional, national and international journalists and media outlets.
• Organise and manage press conferences, media events, interview requests, and media briefings.
• Ensure effective monitoring is in place and media results are logged, analysed and summarised for the Senior Leadership Team regularly.

Public Relations & Communications

• Develop and implement a proactive annual PR & Media plan.
• Manage the club’s PR activity across all media channels.
• Proactively manage and promote the profile and reputation of Connacht Rugby by engaging effectively with all stakeholders.
• Ensure consistent messaging and brand positioning across all communications.
• Support executive leadership with communication planning and key messaging.

Team & Player Communications

• Brief and prepare coaching staff and players for media duties, including broadcast interviews and press conferences and media training.
• Work with the wider Commercial & Marketing team to help meet the commercial needs of the club.
• Develop compelling player, coach, and organisational stories that support brand growth and fan engagement.
• In conjunction with the Senior Brand & Marketing Manager, implement a Tone of Voice guide for the club, and update where required
• Work closely with marketing to maximise media coverage and content opportunities.
• Identify and leverage storytelling opportunities across rugby, community, academy, women's, and commercial programmes.
• Contribute to content planning and campaign activation around key fixtures, commercial partnerships, and organisational milestones.
• When necessary, organise and produce compelling content for distribution across all owned channels.

Match Day Media Operations

• Manage all aspects of the club’s media obligations for home match days, including accreditation, interview requests, broadcast requirements, press conferences and mixed-zone interviews.
• Ensure professional delivery of media services and compliance with competition regulations.
• Ensure the club’s media obligations for away matches are fulfilled.

Stakeholder Engagement & Other

• Ensure the club’s media and commercial obligations to tournament organisers and club partners are met.
• Lead crisis and issue management communications in coordination with senior leadership.
• Support communications with sponsors, governing bodies, community partners, and key stakeholders.
• Other duties as assigned by the Head of Commercial & Marketing from time to time.

Skills & Abilities

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• Well-developed time-management skills, including the ability to set and meet deadlines in a fast-paced sporting environment.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work alone and as part of a team.
• Understanding of sports governance and commercial partnership activation.
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Communications, Media and PR related fields.
• A minimum of 5 years relevant PR and Media experience.
• A proven history of content development and capture.
• Proven relationship building and people management skills.
• Advanced experience and relationships in the Irish media industry.
• Knowledge of Rugby in Ireland and its structures.
• Full drivers license and acces to own transport.

Reporting Relationships

The PR & Media Manager will have close working relationships with the CEO, Head of Commercial & Marketing, Head Coaches and wider playing squads of the Connacht Rugby Men’s and Women’s senior teams.

Working Pattern

Connacht Rugby adopts a hybrid working model, with a requirement to be in the office at least three days a week. However, the nature of the role is such that flexibility will be necessary, with a potential for further days in the office if and when required.

The successful candidate will be expected to work at all Connacht Rugby fixtures, meaning frequent weekend work and domestic/international travel throughout the playing season.

Connacht Rugby is an equal opportunity employer.