Communications Manager (HEO Grade)

Our client the Charities Regulator is hiring for the position of Communications Manager at Higher Executive Officer grade.

About the role

The Charities Regulator’s remit involves a wide range of stakeholders and communicating effectively is central to our success. This is an excellent opportunity for someone seeking the next step in their career in a role that covers an extensive range of communications and engagement activities in a public sector body. Working closely with the Head of Communications, the Communications Manager will play a vital role in developing and delivering our communications and stakeholder engagement strategies with the public and Ireland’s almost 11,500 charities. They will work alongside our Digital Communications Manager who manages our digital communications (such as our website and social channels).

The duties and responsibilities of the successful candidate will include the following:

• Support the Head of Communications in devising and delivering strategic communications and stakeholder engagement strategies and initiatives that are aligned with the Charities Regulator’s strategic objectives
• Assist in the management of our press office and public affairs function including media queries and parliamentary questions (PQs)
• Manage the development and delivery of resources for charities and charity trustees and those interested in information on the charity sector, including guidance, webinars and stakeholder events, newsletter, reports
• Develop and produce corporate materials and publications including copywriting
• Foster effective relationships with key stakeholders both within the Charities Regulator and externally, including media, representative bodies within the charity sector, other relevant organisations and public bodies
• Work collaboratively with the Digital Communications Manager and across the organisation to deliver on communications and key stakeholder engagement initiatives
• Day-to-day management of external agencies (for example PR, design)
• Manage internal communications
• Budget management
• Providing support to and managing assigned staff
• Measure effectiveness of communications activities
• Carry out any other duties that may be required from time to time

The above is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and responsibilities associated with the post and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive. It will be subject to periodic review with the post holder. The Charities Regulator retains the right to amend role profile and allocate resources within the Charities Regulator in the most appropriate manner and in accordance with business needs.

Essential experience, skills, knowledge and qualifications

The Charities Regulator is seeking to appoint an individual who possesses the following, to a level appropriate to the role of Higher Executive Officer.

• Have a qualification of at least level 8 of the National Framework of Qualifications from a recognised university or other third-level institution in a relevant discipline.
• At least four years’ experience in a relevant role
• Demonstrable experience in delivering on communications strategies that build engagement and reputation amongst diverse stakeholders
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills as evidenced in your application, in comparison to other applicants
• Good knowledge of the Irish media landscape with success in achieving media coverage
• Experienced writer
• Experience of working successfully in a team environment

Candidates must have the above experience, qualifications on or before 29 October 2026.

Desirable experience, knowledge and skills:

• An understanding of and interest in Ireland’s charity sector
• Evidence of ongoing professional and personal development
• While not required specifically for the role, fluency in or a working knowledge of the Irish language.

Required competencies

Candidates should have all the abilities required of a Communications Manager with the Charities Regulator. In particular, candidates must demonstrate in their applications and during the selection process that they have the following competencies, which are required for the role, by reference to specific achievements and relevant examples in their career to date:

• Team leadership
• Judgement, analysis and decision making
• Management and delivery of results
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Specialist knowledge, expertise and self-development
• Drive and commitment to public service values

Further information regarding each of the above competencies is available in Appendix A, which sets out the Public Appointment Service’s Higher Executive Officer competency framework.

The application process

Applications must be in the form of a CV and cover letter and sent to [email protected].

The CV should provide a candidate’s education details and career history (starting with the most recent position) highlighting achievements relevant to the essential experience, skills, knowledge and qualifications for this position. Ideally it will be no more than three pages in length.

In their cover letter candidates should:

• Outline why you would like to work for the Charities Regulator
• Why you believe your skills, experience and values meet the requirements of the position
• Address comprehensively each of the competencies which are listed above and in Appendix A.

The letter should be a maximum of two pages. If you do not address the competencies in your cover letter, your application may not be considered.

At the Charities Regulator we are committed to fair and transparent recruitment practices. We believe that job applications should reflect the genuine skills, experiences, and communication style of each applicant. To ensure the integrity of the recruitment process, we respectfully request that all applications (CV and cover letter) are prepared entirely by the applicant and not generated or written using artificial intelligence (AI) tools (such as ChatGPT, Gemini, or similar). By submitting an application for this position, you are confirming that your application has been written entirely by you. Applications that appear to contain AI-generated content may be subject to additional review or may not be considered further. No enquiries or canvassing may be made to the Charities Regulator.

Closing Date: 10am on Thursday, 29 October 2026