CEO - Public Relations Institute of Ireland

Exclusive Role - pls contact Susan Nix for full details.

About the job

The core responsibility of the PRII CEO is to strategically lead and commercially drive the organisation forward, enhancing its influence and value within the Irish public relations landscape. This requires a strong emphasis on member engagement, professional development, and industry advocacy.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Industry Influence:

• Drive the Strategic Plan: Lead the effective delivery of the PRII's strategic plan (to 2028), ensuring objectives are met and the organisation remains relevant and impactful.

• Champion the PR Profession: Actively enhance the profile and advocate for the PR profession in Ireland in the media and with external stakeholders, particularly on emerging issues like AI, through impactful communication and engagement.

• Identify Growth Opportunities: Proactively seek and develop new avenues for the PRII to expand its reach, membership value, and overall influence within the communications sector.

• Foster a High-Performing Team: Provide strong leadership to the PRII staff, cultivating a collaborative and positive work environment focused on achieving organisational goals.

Financial Sustainability & Growth:

• Ensure Financial Stability: Maintain rigorous oversight of the PRII's finances, ensuring long-term sustainability through effective budgeting, financial performance monitoring, and cost management.

• Grow Diverse Revenue Streams: Strategically expand income generation across membership fees, educational programs, and events, ensuring the financial health of the institute.

Member-Centric Engagement & Growth:

• Enhance Member Value: Further enhance engagement and satisfaction among PRII members by ensuring the organisation effectively addresses their professional needs and provides valuable benefits.

• Drive Membership Growth & Retention: Implement strategies to attract new members and retain existing ones, clearly articulating the value proposition of PRII membership within the Irish PR community.

• Oversee Quality Member Services: Ensure the delivery of high-quality services and benefits that directly support the professional development and success of PRII members.

Education & Professional Development Leadership:

• Strategic Oversight of Education: Lead the PRII's education programs, ensuring their quality, industry relevance, and commercial viability.

• Expand Educational Offerings: Explore and implement opportunities to diversify and grow the PRII's portfolio of educational and professional development programs.

Commercial Event Management & Communication:

• Drive Event Success: Lead the commercial success of PRII events, including the annual conference, by securing compelling content and maximising attendance.

• Enhance Marketing & Communications: Strategically bolster the PRII's communication and marketing efforts - particularly in the digital sphere - across all channels (newsletter, social media, website, etc.) to enhance its visibility and member engagement.

Corporate Governance:

• Ensure adherence to best corporate governance practice across strategic execution, reporting, operations, risk management, leadership and culture, stakeholder management, board collaboration and other areas aligned to the role as CEO.
• Ensure that the organisation complies with all legal, regulatory, and governance requirements.
• Maintain robust internal controls and risk management processes.
• Uphold standards of transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership.

Strategic Stakeholder Relationships:

• Cultivate Key Relationships: Build and maintain strong relationships with vital stakeholders, including PRII members, the Board, government bodies, educational institutions, and other relevant organisations within the Irish landscape.

• Represent the PRII: Act as the key spokesperson and representative for the PRII at industry events and conferences, actively raising its profile and influence within the sector.
• Peer organisation engagement: Build relationships with international PR and Communications professional bodies to enhance shared learning and represent the Irish PR and Communications profession.

Efficient Operational Management:

• Oversee Day-to-Day Operations: Ensure the efficient and effective daily functioning of the PRII.

• Lead and Develop Staff: Manage and develop the PRII team across various functions (education, events, operations, communications, administration).

• Leverage Technology: Ensure the effective utilisation of technology to optimise the PRII's operations and member services.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated and commercially astute leader with a proven track record of success in a similar role. They will possess:

• Significant experience in a membership organisation.
• Solid commercial experience, with a strong understanding of revenue generation and financial management.
• Experience in developing and delivering successful events.
• Exceptional communication, diplomacy, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities, with a proven track record of delivering on strategic objectives and an ability to delegate operational detail.
• The ability to drive and grow a small organisation.
• Experience presenting to a board.
• A proactive and self-directed approach, with the ability to work independently.
• While not a prerequisite, experience with digital/social media tools and technologies is desirable, as well as a strong understanding of the Irish PR landscape and a passion for the PR profession.