Vacancy: IRFU Media Officer (Maternity Cover)

The IRFU are inviting applications for the position of Media Officer (Maternity Cover). The Media Officer will be responsible for managing the IRFU’s media activities and support the strategic communications objectives of the organisation. Working primarily with the Women’s Sevens and XV’s team and the men’s U20s and Sevens, and in a support capacity with the Men’s Senior team, where required. This role will involve some travel.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
Operational & Functional:

• IRFU Director of Communications;
• Management of various rep teams

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Team Management;
• IRFU Directors;
• IRFU Staff;
• Commercial and Marketing;
• Provincial Media Managers

The successful candidate will have the following qualities:

• Significant experience (minimum of three-four years) in communications and or media with a strong understanding of the media environment;
• Understanding of sports media and experience of working with rugby media an advantage;
• Ability to work independently but as part of an overall communications strategy and department structure;
• Strong organisational skills incorporating excellent attention to detail;
• An understanding and interest in new media;
• A good knowledge of the rugby landscape in Ireland and internationally;
• The facility to work flexible hours, as dictated by a sport which is largely leisure/volunteer based, and the capacity to travel overseas as required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Media Officer for the various representative teams, including Ireland Women, Ireland Men’s Sevens, Ireland Women’s Sevens and Ireland Under-20 as required;

• Ensuring National Team Management are aware of media needs, to ensure a symbiotic working relationship;
• Support the Director of Communications with regard to the implementation of the IRFU’s communications strategy so as to ensure it promotes the IRFU’s key objectives and values, as contained in its current Strategic Development Plan, across The Domestic Game, The Professional Game and other activities;
• To provide input and assist in the management of all key media activities across all sectors of Irish Rugby;
• To manage media operations at various representative games;
• To assist in management of media relations on behalf of the IRFU across the entire media spectrum; while particular focus obviously applies to Rugby and sports correspondents there is also an on-going need to manage communications with Business, Political, Lifestyle and Consumer correspondents;
• To support a consistent and timely communications programme with clubs throughout the country;
• To support a consistent communications programme between the IRFU and its constituent provincial management teams;
• To liaise closely with the IRFU commercial and marketing department and commercial partners of the IRFU in the development and implementation of joint communications programmes;
• To support the further development and implementation of the New Media communications programme.

TO APPLY
This position is being offered on a 9 month specified purpose contract basis (Maternity Cover), however a degree of flexibility is required. The position is based in our Ballsbridge, Dublin office. To apply for the above position, please email your CV to Eoin Ward, HR Generalist at recruitment@irfu.ie or by post to Eoin Ward, HR Generalist, IRFU, 10/12 Lansdowne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. The closing date for applications is strictly Wednesday, 30th September 2015 at 13:00.

IMPORTANT:
Interviews for this position will take place on Wednesday, 14^th October 2015, with an expected start date of Monday, 23^rd November 2015.

The IRFU is an equal opportunities employer