External Communications Manager

• Contribute strongly to the development and delivery of dynamic, proactive, creative and focussed public relations strategies which communicate the Group's ambition, purpose, and strategic priorities
• Play a meaningful role in the development and activation of the Group External Communications Calendar, ensuring that the day to day media engagement activities align fully with the Calendar
• Play a leading role in management of all proactive and reactive media engagement - including on all corporate announcements such as market announcements, strategic updates, business and product developments, and other corporate developments delivering positive media engagement and Group positioning
• Devise appropriate media engagement strategies for all significant announcements within the Bank of Ireland corporate calendar
• Demonstrate strong risk management and incident / crisis communications experience, with a recognised ability to work collaboratively, swiftly and calmly under pressure
• Demonstrate skill in navigating all media platforms including social media channels
• Maintain close working relationships with internal partners including with public affairs, marketing, internal communications, and UK colleagues - Ensure the alignment of messaging across the Group
• Demonstrate both good commercial savvy and awareness of the external environment in which the Group operates, with the ability to make a strong contribution to the development and execution of appropriate public relations activity that aligns with the commercial objectives of the Group
• Provide support and guidance on media engagement at local, regional and national level
• Demonstrate good judgement and excellent relationship management skills in the management of the Group's reputation and the mitigation of reputational risk, including providing comprehensive reports on same for internal use including at senior management level
• Manage third party suppliers to the Group, including the provision of responsive monitoring of media coverage and social media commentary, and the management of time and focus of external suppliers

• Shown experience in corporate communications
• Senior level media management and public relations experience
• Media relations and public relations professional with experience in handling complex and diverse collaborator relationships
• Excellent communication skills, internal partner relationship management, and influencing skills with an ability to interact with colleagues across all levels within the Group
• Strong experience in consumer and corporate PR and experience in directing creative campaigns that engage audiences on digital platforms
• Strong planning and coordination skills with an ability to deliver at pace and to the highest standard
• Excellent writing skills, with strong attention to detail
• Proven track record producing written and multimedia content for employee audiences
• Experience managing communication channels and campaigns end-to-end
• Comfortable working with senior leaders and cross-functional teams
• Experience with comms platforms (SharePoint/other intranets, Office365/Google Workspace, Slack/Teams, video tools) preferred, along with the ability to demonstrate keeping pace with external communications trends and how colleagues consume content
• Confidence in using emerging tools such as AI to support and enhance communications with good judgment on when and how to apply them effectively
• Strategic problem solver with solid project management and prioritisation skills
• Excellent influencing skills, with the ability to engage with all divisions across the Group
• Comfortable working in fast-paced environments

Experience with comms platforms (SharePoint/other intranets, Office365/Google Workspace, Slack/Teams, video tools) preferred

• Work-life balance with an opportunity for flexible working
• 23 days annual leave
• Excellent pension contributions
• 6 months paid maternity leave
• Innovative fertility and surrogacy policy
• Working parent supports
• Employee assistance program
• WebDoctor
• Financial wellbeing coaches
• Support for educational and professional qualifications