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.
