Head of Communications and Engagement
Head of Communications and Engagement
Overview
The Law Society has an immediate vacancy for a Head of Communications and Engagement on a permanent, full-time basis.
The Law Society is the educational, representative, and regulatory body of the solicitors’ profession in Ireland. As such it communicates regularly with a variety of stakeholders, across a number of different media outlets and platforms.
The Law Society is now seeking a Head of Communications and Engagement. This is an opportunity for an experienced people manager with proven editorial judgement to lead a team of energetic, committed communication professionals; to help the Law Society build its profile and communicate even more effectively with its stakeholders.
Reporting to the Director General, the successful candidate will lead the development and implementation of communications strategies, plans, and activities to promote the work of the Law Society. They will target the broad and diverse range of audiences with which the Law Society interacts, taking responsibility for external, member, and internal communications, as well as for all Law Society publications.
The successful candidate will work closely with other members of the Law Society’s senior management, especially the Directors of Policy, Education and Regulation to ensure the value of their output is effectively communicated to those with whom they need to engage.
Main Duties & Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Regularly review, refine, and deliver the communications strategy for the Law Society, ensuring that it supports the organisation’s strategic goals.
- Review, and if necessary, develop, Law Society branding and corporate identity.
- Renew and further develop the Law Society website to ensure it delivers user-friendly and useful information and materials for Irish solicitors.
- Manage and develop, the communications and engagement team.
- Establish arrangements for cross-departmental working that support the delivery of the communications strategy.
- Develop a stakeholder management framework that ensures regular engagement with members of the profession.
- Oversee the Law Society press office and social media accounts.
- Advise the President, Director General and other senior managers about communications strategies and plans.
- Coordinate the Law Society’s response to major incidents and significant issues.
- Undertake other communications-related duties identified.
Knowledge & Skills
The successful candidate will demonstrate the following knowledge and skills:
- At least 7 years’ experience in communications roles (including at least 2 years in a senior role), including some or all of the following: public affairs, journalism, storytelling, communicating with or on behalf of businesses about regulatory requirements.
- An in-depth understanding of the Irish legal system, political system and media landscape as well as an excellent understanding and experience of digital media.
- Substantial experience dealing with the press and preferably also with members of the Oireachtas.
- Experience managing a communications team and interacting with the most senior leaders in an organisation.
- Experience contributing communications expertise to the development of wider organisational strategies and plans.
- A demonstrated ability to understand a complex statutory, regulatory and policy framework.
- Ability to engage and communicate with stakeholders.
Desirable, but non-essential, characteristics include:
- Longer experience in senior communications roles.
- Experience in communications and public affairs related to the legal system.
- A relevant academic background.
Remuneration & Benefits
- Salary (DOE)
- Excellent working conditions
- Training & development opportunities
- Hybrid working
- Pension
