Title:                           Communications Officer

Reports to:                 Head of Communications

Contract type:           Permanent

Hours:                         Full-time (35 hours pw) 9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday.

Weekend work:         Flexibility to work weekends when required on a rota bases. Weekend work paid back in Toil. 

Location:                    The Society operates a hybrid working model with a combination of remote and in-person (Dublin 4 office) working

Office Days:               Office attendance days are Wednesday & Thursday

Salary:                         €48,000 per annum

Who we are 

Every three minutes, someone in Ireland hears the words ‘You’ve got cancer’. At the Irish Cancer Society, we understand the physical, emotional and financial impact a cancer diagnosis brings. And we are determined to do everything we can to help. 

As Ireland’s leading cancer charity, we work across every area of cancer – from prevention and early detection, through to end-of-life care. We make a positive impact for people affected by cancer every day: investing in life-saving and life-changing research; providing practical, financial and emotional supports; and driving improvements in public cancer services.

If you are passionate about helping people and want to play a key role in the driving communications for a good cause this role is for you. 

Join us to change the lives of people affected by cancer in Ireland. 

What you’ll do

The successful candidate will work on a portfolio of Irish Cancer Society activities, developing exciting and innovative communications campaigns and will support the Head of Communications in the execution of these campaigns. 

You will be a core member of the Communications Department and will play a key role in planning and delivering communications, through traditional and digital channels, that meet the overall strategic objectives of the Society.                    

Key duties and responsibilities 

Communications

• Responsibility for the research, planning, development, timely execution and evaluation of a mix of communications campaigns and activities across the Irish Cancer Society (earned, owned and paid media). 
• Providing strategic and operational communications support to key campaigns in areas such as fundraising, services, research and advocacy. 
• Preparing and managing budgets for communications activities, in consultation with the budget holder. 

Marketing and stakeholder engagement

• Managing media relations, including media requests.
• Ensuring brand consistency across all forms of communications. 
• Reporting to the Head of Communications on all activity. 
• Working closely with other teams across the organisation on specified projects in order to meet the Society’s objectives. 
• Undertaking other duties as required.

Who you are

Person specification 

• Self-starter with initiative, creativity and ability to develop innovative and effective communications strategies for the leading health charity. 
• Proactive, professional approach with excellent writing skills.
• Enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and constantly meeting deadlines. 
• Ability to identify and negotiate opportunities for the Irish Cancer Society to grow its profile in the media consistent with our strategic objectives. 
• High level IT skills
• Adept at working across all channels including traditional and digital media. 
• Established network of media contacts.

Your qualifications and experience 

• At least four years’ experience in communications, PR or journalism.
• Experience in a fast-paced environment handling multiple projects is desirable. 
• A third level qualification or post-graduate qualification in communications desirable but not essential.
• Proven track record in the development and implementation of communications strategies with tight deadlines.
• Experience of the Irish healthcare arena is desirable, including healthcare policy. 

The Society measures experience based on the quality of the experience obtained, rather than in time passed and welcomes applicants at all stages of their career.

General

• All employees are required to be aware of their responsibilities towards health and safety and to adhere to fire regulations.
• The Irish Cancer Society operates a no-smoking policy, and the post holder must not smoke in the office or when on Society business outside the office.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times, and compliance with the Data Protection Act is an essential requirement.

This job description is not exhaustive. It merely acts as a guide and may be amended to meet the changing requirements of the Society at any time after discussion with the post holder.

Some of our benefits: 

• 23 days Annual Leave a year or Pro Rata equivalent, plus public holidays, Good Friday and Christmas Eve (if it falls on a working day) 
• Service Days - Additional days awarded to reflect long service with the Society.
• Sick Pay Scheme (following Probationary period)
• Flexitime
• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (after 6 months)
• Group membership for VHI and HSF (health plans)
• Bus/Rail Ticket Scheme and Cycle to Work Scheme
• Death In Service Benefit (from commencement of employment)
• Paid Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity, Adoptive, Force Majeure and compassionate Leave)
• Learning and Development Programmes
• Educational Assistance (Study and Examination Leave)
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Optional Flu vaccine provided