Public Affairs Manager

Sigmar Recruitment; Galway; Hybrid; EUR 83,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

Sigmar Recruitment seeks a senior Public Affairs Manager in Galway to lead a broad programme across communications, public affairs, PR and stakeholder engagement. You will report to the CEO and work with the SLT to shape internal and external communications and manage relationships with Government, public bodies, industry and partners.

The role requires strong political awareness, strategic influence and senior-level judgement, with on-site presence three days per week and blended working

Qualifications

• Significant senior-level experience across communications, public affairs or stakeholder engagement.
• Primary degree in a related field as listed in the requirements.
• Proven ability to lead people, programs and multiple priorities.
• Experience delivering strategic communications programmes.
• Strong internal and external communications, PR and media engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with senior government and external stakeholders.
• Understanding of public-sector governance, accountability and ethics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for senior briefing material.
• Strong analytical and judgment skills for stakeholder risk and opportunities.
• Experience managing complex programmes and deadlines.
• Experience advising on sensitive, reputational, or politically significant issues.
• Experience budget or contract oversight in communications or events.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic stakeholder engagement across Government, public bodies, industry and partners.
• Shape and deliver integrated communications, public affairs and PR aligned with priorities.
• Lead internal and external communications with clear, credible messaging.
• Advise the CEO and SLT on stakeholder, communications and reputational matters.
• Prepare high-quality briefings, talking points and engagement notes for leadership.
• Provide day-to-day leadership to the communications function and outputs.
• Act as senior communications lead across media and external engagements.
• Develop and coordinate stakeholder engagement plans and assess effectiveness.
• Plan and deliver high-profile national and international events and visits.
• Coordinate responses to parliamentary and Government queries with deadlines.
• Provide leadership, guidance and mentoring within the team.
• Oversee budgets, contracts, governance and risks related to communications and events.

Skills

Strategic communications

Public affairs

Stakeholder engagement

Media engagement

Government relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Communications, Public Policy, Strategic Leadership, or Stakeholder Engagement

Job description

PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER

An established public-sector organisation is seeking a senior Public Affairs Manager to lead a broad programme spanning communications, public affairs, PR and strategic stakeholder engagement. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, the Public Affairs Manager will shape how the organisation communicates internally and externally while managing relationships across Government, public bodies, industry and other key stakeholders. This is a high-profile role requiring sound judgement, strong political awareness, strategic influence and the ability to operate confidently at senior level.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the organisation’s strategic stakeholder engagement programme, building effective relationships across Government, public bodies, industry and national and international partners.
• Shape and deliver integrated communications, public affairs and PR activity aligned with organisational priorities and strategic objectives.
• Lead internal and external communications, ensuring consistent, clear and credible messaging across the organisation.
• Advise the CEO and Senior Leadership Team on stakeholder, communications, reputational and public affairs matters.
• Prepare high-quality briefings, talking points, engagement notes and communications material for senior leadership and external engagements.
• Manage and provide day-to-day leadership to the communications function, ensuring high-quality and timely delivery of communications outputs.
• Act as a senior communications lead across media and external engagements, protecting and strengthening organisational reputation.
• Develop and coordinate stakeholder engagement plans, ensuring a consistent approach across the organisation and measuring their effectiveness.
• Lead the planning and delivery of high-profile national and international events, official visits and stakeholder engagements.
• Coordinate responses to parliamentary and Government queries, ensuring accuracy, quality and adherence to deadlines.
• Provide leadership, guidance and mentoring to colleagues involved in communications, stakeholder-facing and engagement activities.
• Oversee relevant budgets, contracts, governance requirements and risks associated with communications, public affairs, stakeholder engagement and events.

REQUIREMENTS

• Significant senior-level experience across communications, public affairs, stakeholder engagement or a closely related discipline.
• A relevant primary degree in Business, Communications, Public Policy, Strategic Leadership, Stakeholder Engagement or a related area.
• Proven management experience with the ability to lead people, programmes and multiple priorities.
• Demonstrable experience developing and delivering strategic communications programmes.
• Strong experience across internal and external communications, PR and media engagement.
• Proven ability to build and manage relationships with senior Government, public-sector and external stakeholders.
• Strong political awareness and understanding of public-sector governance, accountability and ethical standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce senior-level briefing and advisory material.
• Strong analytical and judgement skills, with the ability to identify stakeholder risks, opportunities and emerging issues.
• Demonstrable experience managing complex programmes and delivering high-quality outputs within agreed deadlines.
• Experience providing senior-level advice on sensitive, reputational or politically significant issues.
• Experience of budget and/or contract oversight within communications, stakeholder engagement, events or related services.

The Public Affairs Manager will be based in Galway and will work closely with senior leadership and teams across the organisation. The role requires a minimum of three days per week on-site, with blended working arrangements available in line with organisational policy.

Salary: €83,113–€103,576 gross per annum, with the successful candidate commencing at the first point of the applicable scale.