Galway City Council is seeking to employ a Head of Communications and Corporate Marketing. Reporting to the Director with responsibility for Corporate Development Directorate, the role is charged with leading the efficient management of Galway City Council’s Communications and Corporate Marketing Department and the direction and development of all local authority communications and corporate marketing activities. 

The holder of this experienced managerial position will demonstrate innovation, agility and a commitment to leading the development and implementation of a comprehensive communications and corporate marketing strategy that reflects the Local Authority’s corporate vision and Galway City’s reputation as a location to work, live, visit and invest in.

The Head of Communications & Corporate Marketing will be required to work closely with the Chief Executive, Senior Management Team, Mayor and Elected Members to deliver effective communications and corporate marketing campaigns that promote the strategic corporate objectives of Galway City Council.
 

The duties and responsibilities of the post involve but are not limited to the following:

• A strategic role within the Corporate Development Directorate in leading and implementing the communication and promotion of the vision, values and objectives of Galway City Council’s Corporate Plan.
• Coordinate communications and corporate marketing in all sections of Galway City Council and its strategic partners to ensure that there is a coordinated approach to developing a positive brand that is clearly identifiable and connected with Galway City.
• Set targets, objectives, reporting and key performance indicators relating to all public relations /media and marketing activities across the Local Authority.
• Lead out on crisis communication plans and on the ground management.
• Develop and promote the Galway City brand to the public, business community, tourists and international investors through dynamic ongoing campaigns across traditional and new media.
• Manage the Communications and Corporate Marketing Department and team in the delivery of PR and communications activities ensuring consistent delivery across the organisation.
• Ensure the effective training, development and upskilling of the Communications and Corporate Marketing team. 
• Provide strategic leadership for Galway City Council’s communication and corporate marketing function by developing a strategic and integrated approach to engaging the public and other stakeholders.
• Direct involvement in the delivery of a smaller and large-scale, cross-directorate public communications campaigns, incorporating traditional and digital media.
• In association with Galway City Council’s Tourism Department, develop and implement communications and marketing strategies to broaden the reach and deepen the impact of promoting Galway City as one of Ireland’s leading visitor destinations.
• Design and deliver communications strategies to support the stakeholder engagement of all high-profile projects in the city.
• Develop an Irish language strategy with an Oifigeach Gaeilge (Irish Officer).
• Build positive working relationships with the local and national media and handle media queries in a proactive way and timely fashion.
• Develop engagement strategies to complete statutory and non-statutory consultation processes, including the organising of information sessions, focus groups, webinars, online content and the relevant marketing of same.
• Assume responsibility for the management and delivery of all local authority media/public advertising campaigns.
• Oversee the drafting and publication of all Council press releases and media responses.
• Work with the Communications Officer, the Active Travel Communications Officer and the Head of Tourism on brand building and on activation of integrated marketing campaigns.
• Provide or arrange media training for senior management, where required.
• Promote national campaigns co-ordinated by the Media & Communications Team in the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA).
• Organise digital media (photography/videography) relating to specific Council marketing campaigns, PR events and other communications-relevant occasions, including election of new Mayor, appointment of new Senior Management etc.
• Brief media partners and third parties e.g. media publishers, content creators (videographers/photographers/graphic designers) on relevant communications projects and campaigns.
• Provide communications support and advice to the Senior Management Team. Fully brief and support the Chief Executive, Senior Officials and the Mayor with background material/presentations/speeches for events requiring their attendance.
• Lead communications and corporate marketing specific tenders and coordinate the procurement process.
• Ensure compliance with all required Local Authority financial, procurement, management and governance reporting processes.
• Ensure compliance with corporate policies (Health and Safety, HR, GDPR, Child Safeguarding etc.) in the course of conducting communications and corporate marketing activities.
• Ensure good governance and act in the public interest.
• Support the regular meetings of the Senior Management Team; and
• Undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibilities as may be required or assigned on occasion.