Communications & Engagement Manager
Communications & Engagement Manager
Mental Health Reform is recruititng for a Communications & Engagement Manager.
Communications and Engagement Manager – Maternity Cover
Position: Communications and Engagement Manager
Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)
Start date: December 2024
Duration: 10 months
Reports to: CEO
Location: Coleraine House, Coleraine Street, Dublin 7. Mental Health Reform operates a hybrid system of remote working and in office working.
1. Position summary
Mental Health Reform is seeking to recruit an experienced, creative and strategic Communications and Engagement Manager. This position manages the communication and engagement unit and is a key member of the organisation’s Senior Leadership Team. The role has overall responsibility for shaping and delivering MHR’s communications strategy, increasing organisational visibility and impact, generating fundraising income, developing and ensuring strong stakeholder engagement, and assisting MHR to deliver on its strategic plan.
2. About Mental Health Reform:
Mental Health Reform (MHR) is the national coalition driving reform of Ireland’s mental health services and supports. Our vision is of an Ireland where everyone can access the support that they need in their community to achieve their best possible mental health. With 85 member organisations and thousands of individual supporters, MHR provides a coordinated voice to Government, its agencies, the Oireachtas and the general public on mental health issues. For more information, see https://www.mentalhealthreform.ie/
3. Main responsibilities
a) Develop and implement MHR’s communications activities
Lead the development and implementation of MHR’s communications strategy in line with MHR’s strategic and operational plans
Manage and enhance MHR’s brand, image and positioning
Oversee the organisation of events and webinars
Design and implement high-quality communications and advocacy campaigns
Develop and manage projects involving staff, stakeholders and member organisations
Oversee the development and design of high-quality reports, publications and resources
Work alongside the Communications and Membership Officer to develop digital content including graphics, videos, newsletters and website content
Oversee the management of MHR’s social media platforms, ensuring strong engagement and growth
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communications activities
b) Managing relationships with media
Proactively develop and manage relationships with regional and national online, broadcast and print media
Maximise media exposure for MHR by identifying and proposing media opportunities
Develop media materials including press releases, speaking notes, key messages, and guest articles
Engage with people with lived experience of mental health difficulties to share case studies with the media, in line with MHR policy
Monitor media activity on mental health and related areas
c) Developing communications systems and resources
Manage communications databases including Salesforce and Mailchimp
Maintain and update MHR’s website to maximise effective communication of information and messages
Develop key processes and procedures
d) Strengthening membership engagement
Oversee the implementation of MHR’s member engagement strategy
Build and maintain internal communication processes to ensure MHR is effectively communicating with its members
Strengthen member engagement in projects, events, campaigns and other key activities
Establish and maintain key partnerships with coalition members to ensure strong member engagement
e) Managing and implementing MHR’s fundraising strategy
Oversee and manage MHR’s fundraising approach and strategy
Identify and submit grant funding proposals
Proactively identify and secure fundraising partnerships
Lead on the development of new funding streams
Develop fundraising procedures and policies
f) Assisting MHR to deliver on its overall strategic goals
Work within the framework of the overall objectives and the policies and practices of the MHR
Ensure all work undertaken complies with data protection and GDPR rules
Contribute to the promotion of equality of opportunity, anti-discriminatory practice, diversity, individual rights and choice in all aspects of work
Carry out other administrative duties as required
Lead, manage and coach staff within the MHR performance management system
Supervise staff, interns and/or volunteers as required
Participate in relevant training and development courses as agreed with the CEO
Undertake such other duties as might be reasonably assigned from time to time by the CEO
Be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of the CEO or Health & Safety Representative
4. The person
Skills, knowledge and experience required:
A third-level qualification in a relevant discipline
Satisfactory relevant experience in a senior communications role
Demonstrated results from the design and implementation of successful campaigns
Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage tight deadlines
Fluent speaker and writer of English
Proven exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written
Excellent IT skills with experience managing websites and social media platforms
Creativity with an ability to generate engaging messages for a variety of audiences
An ability to work with initiative and autonomy and take responsibility for a functional role within a small team
Experience of managing staff to achieve deliverables
Desirable:
Experience in and familiarity with the community and voluntary sector in Ireland
Experience in fundraising
Familiarity with mental health issues in Ireland
Benefits
The salary will be commensurate with skills & experience with the salary band 50k – 60k.
Mental Health Reform operates the following benefits for its employees:
Annual leave 24 days, exclusive of public holidays, 1 company day and 1 wellbeing day per year
Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
Additional notes:
Mental Health Reform is open to an individual being seconded to this role from the staff of its member organisations.
This job description is not a definitive list of tasks; rather it is designed to give an overview of the job. It is envisaged that the post-holder will use their own initiative and develop the job under guidance so that the organisation’s aims are achieved. It should be noted that the organisation is dynamic and fast paced and it may be necessary to step beyond the areas outlined above to support others from time to time.
This is a 10-month position. Flexibility is required regarding hours as some weekend and evening work will be necessary for board meeting and other engagements. Travel and out of office work will also be a feature of the role.
Mental Health Reform is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
All documentation received by Mental Health Reform will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Acts, 1988 and 2003 General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR; 2018). The information will only be used by Mental Health Reform in the processing of job applications and for ongoing administrative purposes with job candidates.