Communications senior manager - external communications

At EY, we’re all in to shape your future with confidence. We’ll help you succeed in a globally connected powerhouse of diverse teams and take your career wherever you want it to go. Join EY and help build a better working world.

The opportunity

EY Ireland is looking for an outstanding senior communications professional to play a leading role in shaping our external profile and reputation. Working closely with the EY Ireland Director of Communications and senior leaders across the firm, you will help define how EY shows up externally, bringing together media relations, corporate communications, thought leadership and reputation management to tell compelling stories about our people, our clients and the issues shaping business and society.

This is a senior and influential role within a high-performing communications team. We are looking for someone with exceptional judgement, strong media instincts and a deep understanding of what makes a story. You will be equally comfortable advising a senior leader on a sensitive reputational issue, developing a creative communications campaign, engaging with a journalist or working with colleagues to turn a business priority into a compelling external narrative. You will also play an important role in leading and developing the team, creating an environment where ambitious ideas, collaboration and excellent execution go hand in hand.

Your key responsibilities

External communications and reputation

• Develop and execute creative, high-impact external communications strategies that strengthen EY's reputation and support the firm's strategic growth priorities.
• Act as a senior communications adviser to business leaders, providing clear, pragmatic counsel on media, reputation and external positioning.
• Build strong relationships with key journalists and media across the island of Ireland and identify opportunities to position EY and its people on the issues that matter to business and society.
• Bring excellent news judgement and editorial instinct, identifying compelling stories and turning complex business issues into clear, engaging external communications.
• Lead communications planning for key areas of the business, working closely with Service Line leadership, Marketing and Business Development.
• Anticipate and help manage reputational risks, emerging issues and crisis communications, working closely with the Director of Communications and senior leadership.
• Oversee the development and quality of firm-wide press materials, ensuring consistently high editorial standards.
• Lead the external communications strategy for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme, one of EY's flagship programmes in Ireland.
• Manage and maximise our relationship with our external PR agency and other specialist partners.
• Measure the impact of external communications activity, using insight and data to continually improve our approach.
• Lead, coach and develop communications colleagues, fostering creativity, collaboration and high performance.

Skills and attributes for success

You will be an accomplished communications professional with the confidence, judgement and credibility to operate with senior leaders and represent EY with important external stakeholders. You will bring:

• Exceptional media instincts and strong editorial judgement, with a sophisticated understanding of the Irish media landscape.
• A strong network of relevant media relationships across the island of Ireland.
• Outstanding writing and editing skills and the ability to turn complex subjects into clear, compelling stories.
• Excellent judgement, particularly when dealing with sensitive, confidential or reputationally significant issues.
• Strong commercial awareness and an ability to understand business priorities and translate them into communications strategies.
• The confidence and credibility to advise, influence and challenge senior stakeholders.
• A creative mindset and willingness to challenge conventional approaches.
• Strong leadership skills and a track record of developing high-performing people.
• The ability to operate at pace, prioritise effectively and remain calm under pressure.
• A highly collaborative style and the ability to build strong relationships across a complex organisation.

To qualify for the role, you should have

• At least 8 years' relevant communications experience gained in a high-performance environment.
• Significant experience developing and executing external communications and media strategies.
• Demonstrable experience managing senior-level media relationships.
• Experience advising senior executives on communications and reputation.
• Experience managing significant or sensitive reputational issues.
• A track record of delivering communications programmes that support wider business objectives.
• Experience of leading and developing people.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Ideally, you'll also have

• Experience in a senior in-house communications role, communications agency or both.
• Experience working with a corporate, financial services, professional services or consulting organisation.
• Experience translating complex economic, business or technical subjects into compelling communications.
• A degree or equivalent professional experience.

What working at EY offers

We offer a competitive remuneration package. Our comprehensive benefits package includes support for flexible working and career development, and with FlexEY you can select benefits that suit your needs: covering holidays, health and well-being, insurance, savings and a wide range of discounts, offers and promotions. Plus, we offer:

• Support and coaching from some of the most engaging colleagues around.
• Opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career.
• The freedom and flexibility to handle your role in a way that’s right for you.

All our employees are given a benefits package which they can tailor to suit their individual preferences. Our range of benefits include:

• Pension
• Discounted health insurance
• Web Doctor – Free unlimited online GP consultations for you and your family
• The purchase of additional annual leave
• Hybrid Working
• Free Gym membership
• Travel Pass
• Maternity & Paternity leave
• Bike to work Scheme
• Recognition Awards
• Cash incentives for referrals
• Work Mobile
• Tech MBA paid by EY
• Wellness rooms available in some offices

About EY

As a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services, we’re using the finance products, expertise and systems we’ve developed to build a better working world. That starts with a culture that believes in giving you the training, opportunities and creative freedom to make things better. Whenever you join, however long you stay, the exceptional EY experience lasts a lifetime.

Inclusion & Diversity

We hold a collective commitment to foster an environment where all differences are valued and respected, practices are equitable and everyone experiences a sense of belonging: Inclusion, diversity, and equity are part of who we are at EY. We believe that the highest-performing teams maximize the power of different perspectives and backgrounds. These teams are both diverse and inclusive and are willing to invite and learn from other perspectives. Our ability to include various viewpoints into our mindsets, behaviours and operations is fundamental to driving innovation, building strong relationships, and delivering the best solutions for our clients.

We recognise the strength that comes from having a diverse workforce and building a culture where we support all our people to achieve their potential. You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs. As an equal opportunities’ employer, we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Reasonable accommodations are offered at every stage of our recruitment process.

Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today. To help create the best experience during the recruitment process, please describe any disability-related adjustments or accommodations you may need.

If you can confidently demonstrate that you meet the criteria above, please contact us as soon as possible. IMPORTANT: Where Agency assistance is required, our Talent Team will engage directly with suppliers. CVs / Profiles should not be shared directly with Hiring Managers. Unsolicited CVs / Profiles supplied to EY by Recruitment Agencies will not be accepted for this role.

EY | Building a better working world

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets. Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow. EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.