Public Affairs Manager

The Public Affairs Manager is responsible for developing and implementing a proactive public affairs strategy aligned with HRI’s strategic objectives and legislative agenda. The role will support HRI’s local, national and international political stakeholder engagement, as well as supporting major capital projects, and HRI subsidiaries.

The role of Public Affairs Manager for Horse Racing Ireland reports into the Director of Communications and the responsibilities & competencies required for are as follows:

Key Responsibilities

•         Develop and implement a proactive public affairs strategy aligned with the organisation’s objectives.
•         Build and maintain political relationships at local, national and EU level.
•         Build and implement stakeholder engagement strategy for major capital projects.
•         Work with the wider communications team, identify appropriate messages and channels to communicate with key Government stakeholders and decision makers.
•         Track relevant legislation, regulatory changes, and public policy trends that may impact the industry.
•         Prepare briefing papers, policy submissions, position papers, and parliamentary correspondence on behalf of the organisation.
•         Proactively identify reputational risks and coordinate communication strategies to address them.
•         Work closely with senior leadership and the CEO to advise on political risk and opportunities.
•         Maintain a comprehensive stakeholder mapping and relationship management system.

Essential Qualifications

•        A degree in public affairs, public policy, political science, communications, or journalism.
•         Minimum 7 years’ experience across Public Relations, Public Affairs, or corporate reputation management.
•         Ability to develop and implement a multi-year public affairs strategy aligned with corporate objectives.
•         Deep understanding of the Irish political system at local and national level, as well as the workings of EU institutions.
•         Knowledge of the role of government departments and how policy is developed and implemented.
•         Ability to monitor, analyse, and interpret legislative and regulatory developments at national and EU level.
•         Skilled at assessing policy implications for the organisation and translating these into actionable recommendations.
•         Strong interpersonal skills to confidently liaise with high-level officials, media representatives, and internal leadership team.
•         Experience managing a formal stakeholder mapping and engagement programme.
•         Excellent written skills and verbal communication skills with the ability to adapt tone and style for different audiences.

Key Capabilities

Customer Focus

• Creates an environment where the team is empowered to put the customer first.
• Supports the team in managing their workload to ensure customer needs are met.
• Role models customer focus and drives and develops customer focused initiatives.
• Ensures customer satisfaction is a priority.

Developing Self

• Is self-aware and proactively seeks feedback, using it for personal and professional development.
• Role models development by developing themselves and others.
• Reflects on behaviour, adapting approach to different situations.
• Is open to new ideas, drives continuous improvement with team and across the business.

Energy & Pace

• Sets and delivers against SMART objectives for their area/team.
• Is accountable and delivers sustainable results, using resources effectively.
• Understands the wider business and its goals, onward communicates this to team.
• Empowers others to deliver their goals and projects with energy and pace.
• Is a flexible and adaptable to the needs of the business and delivers accordingly.

Innovation & Change

• Reviews processes and ways of working always striving for best practice and improving industry standards.
• Is creative and innovative and supports others to develop opportunities for creative thinking and innovation.
• Looks for innovative ways to provide a better service to our stakeholders.
• Implements change in a supportive, reassuring way, bringing ours on the journey with them.

Leadership

• Motivates and empowers others through a ‘can do’ approach.
• Understands strategic intent and aligns objectives and messages accordingly.
• Role models leadership and our core values.
• Develops, motivates and inspires others.

Team

• Creates team environments where everyone contributes to the team objectives and is stretched accordingly.
• Ensures productive and positive communication is taking place across all teams.
• Harnesses team capability to ensure teams are performing to a high standard.

HRI is an equal opportunities employer. Interview candidates will be provided with any necessary reasonable accommodations when called for interview.