Job Description
- Work with the Director of Public Affairs to design and implement the public affairs strategy and annual delivery plan
- Draft and review policy consultation submissions relating to local authority development plans, central and local budgets, tax and employment reform, planning consultations, bi-annual international connectivity survey etc.
- Coordinate and facilitate advocacy meetings and stakeholder groups
- Closely collaborate with Chambers Ireland Public Affairs team
- Ensure relevant lobbying activity is registered on the lobbying portal
- Ownership of the Cork Chamber Quarterly Economic Trends Survey
- Research wide-ranging policy, and dissect key information to set out Chamber positions
- Participate in Chambers Ireland Public Affairs Forums
- Act as secretariat for the Cork Development Forum with Policy & Research Executive
- Explore and develop opportunities, partnerships and collaborations
- Challenge and offer solutions and pathways to develop internal and external activities, and advocacy to ensure thought leadership and leadership through action
- Work with a wider chamber team to deliver Public Affairs specific and other chamber events
Communications
- Oversight of the Public Affairs team's contribution to Chamber communications activity, from weekly newsletters to press releases, to social media and Chamberlink magazine
- Draft articles and editorials
- Oversight of the Partner Programme events and communications
- Supervision of stakeholder communications
- Speech writing for CEO & President in collaboration
Sustainability
- Manage and evolve the Sustainable Cork Programme in collaboration with the Chamber team
- Provide secretariat assistance to the Sustainability Committee
- In collaboration with a wider team help deliver the Sustainable Development Goal Champion Programme (2024-2025)
- Provide thought leadership and be responsible for maintaining progress on social, environmental, and economic issues
- Interpret EU, Irish and UK policy to understand the implications and opportunities of the Climate Action Bill and other sustainability Regulations for Cork businesses
Management
- Oversee and act as the mentor for interns participating in the public affairs internship
- Manage two Public Affairs Executives
Other
- Active contribution to general Chamber activity such as events and communications
- Other tasks relating to the role as required.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate should be degree qualified in a relevant discipline such as government/public affairs/business etc and have at least 5 years' experience in government, communication, sustainability, and/or advocacy. The successful candidate will play an active role in both driving and shaping the Chamber agenda. They should have a proven track record on advocacy and sustainability and contribute positively and with energy to Ireland's most active regional business advocacy team.
Our Budget 2025 submission, Sustainable Cork Programme and National Planning Framework response offer further insight into the priorities of the Chamber advocacy team.
Personal Skills and Attributes:
- Strong knowledge of politics and government affairs
- Excellent writing skills and attention to detail
- Strong interest and background in sustainability
- Great interpersonal and networking skills
- Ability to manage a team and ensure they deliver on agreed KPIs
- Ability to engage strategically with a wide variety of stakeholders
- Assertive, resilient and critical thinker
- Capability to prioritise competing demands, multi-task and meet deadlines
- Fast problem solving and decision-making skills
- Ability to respond positively to new challenges
- Enjoys fast paced environments and exhibits integrated approach to work
- Excellent organisational, time management and project management abilities
- Willingness to take on a wide variety of tasks
- Operates with a high level of performance, commitment and motivation
Business Knowledge & Experience:
- A good understanding of current issues affecting business in Cork
- An understanding of and previous experience in Public Affairs
- Demonstrable experience in managing complex stakeholder networks
- Knowledge and experience of the Irish political system both national and local
- Good understanding and experience in communications
- Previous experience in a membership organisation an advantage
What you will get in return
- Be part of a team actively shaping the future of Cork
- A competitive salary, commensurable with experience
- Company pension scheme
- Company Wellbeing programme containing additional employee benefits
- Flexible working options (mix of home and office)
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