ABBEY THEATRE Amharclann na Mainistreach | Job Description
JOB TITLE: Communications & Media Officer
RESPONSIBLE TO: Communications & Media Manager
CONTRACT: Permanent, Full time / 40 hour week
The Abbey Theatre is the National Theatre of Ireland. It occupies a unique position in the hearts and minds of Irish people. Comprised of two auditoriums, the Abbey Stage with a capacity of 492 seats, and the Peacock Stage, with a capacity of 132 seats, the company produces a year-round programme of productions, public readings, talks, workshops and artistic development work.
PURPOSE OF JOB:
The Abbey Theatre is seeking an energetic and experienced Communications & Media Officer. This is a full-time position in the Communications & Marketing Department.
The Communications & Media Officer will drive the Abbey Theatre’s publicity campaigns across traditional media. They will take ownership of telling the story of productions which appear across the Abbey Theatre’s stages, and of the organisation and its history, to broadcast, print and online media outlets. Reporting to the Communications & Media Manager, they will play a critical role in the theatre’s dynamic Communications and Marketing team. They will work across the organisation, and work particularly closely with visiting theatre companies, creative teams and artists. They will be a crucial link between the Abbey Theatre and the public, through news and media. They will drive the Theatre’s connection to a variety of stakeholders, including the board, staff, theatre community, Department and Arts Council colleagues, supporters and donors. This will be executed through media and public relations and corporate communications. The Communications & Media Officer will work alongside the Digital Engagement and Communications Officer. Occasionally, there may be a requirement to monitor social media, to ensure team cover.
Given the nature of our organisation, there will occasionally be a requirement to work evenings (for example, attending dress rehearsals and opening nights, chaperoning a spokesperson to a media engagement) or weekends (special events).
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Duties include:
Communications & Media:
* Devise and execute impactful media campaigns to represent the Abbey Theatre’s plays, artists, visiting productions, related events and activities, and the organisation as a whole, nationally and internationally.
* Conduct proactive media outreach and media relations, securing national, regional, local and specialist coverage of Abbey Theatre productions and events.
* Respond to media queries and provide statements on behalf of the Abbey Theatre in a timely manner.
* Arrange and attend press conferences, media interviews, photoshoots / photocalls, filming sessions and any other related events as required.
* Brief theatre-makers, Abbey Theatre spokespeople / staff for interviews and public appearances, accompany spokespersons to on-site and off-site interviews and photoshoots.
* Oversee media attendance at opening nights of productions, including stewardship of guests and red carpet photography.
Corporate communications:
* Deliver corporate campaigns for the organisation, including leading on the delivery of the Annual Review, other corporate documents, reports and the publication of data / results.
* Prepare decks and presentations on the artistic programme, organisation and brand.
Digital:
* Support creative ideation for organisational and show-specific digital content.
* Occasionally schedule content and monitor social media accounts to ensure team cover during periods of annual leave.
Administrative:
* Media monitoring, reporting and analysis of communications campaigns, including sharing weekly clippings reports with key contacts.
* Manage invites and liaison with press and media in advance of opening nights and other events.
* Oversee the work of external providers, such as photographers, publicists and media agencies.
* Engage with counterparts in Department and the Arts Council.
* Support the Development team on communications to donors and supporters.
* Identify media and communications trends and provide recommendations; keep up with industry standards.
General:
* Contribute to the reaching of ambitious sales and attendance targets on an annual basis.
* Represent the Communications & Marketing team and the organisation at relevant external and internal meetings and events, including opening nights and launches.
* Support the work of the Director of Communications & Marketing, and the Communications and Media Manager and undertake any tasks as may be deemed appropriate and reasonable.
* Work with other Abbey Theatre Departments to fulfil their communications needs and targets.
* Adhere to the theatre's Health and Safety policy and to current legislation.
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Essential:
* A qualification in public relations, journalism, communications, marketing or digital media, or a minimum of three years of relevant experience.
* Minimum three years demonstrable experience creating and implementing successful media and communications campaigns.
* Excellent communication skills, including copy/report writing and media pitches.
* Excellent interpersonal skills.
* Established relationships with media.
* Experience of both internal and external communications.
* Adaptable to a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends.
* Must have a love and curiosity around arts, culture and storytelling.
Desirable:
* The ability to think creatively, and visually.
* Experience in arts and culture promotion.
* Experience in either a communications agency or in public sector communications team.
* Written and spoken Irish is an advantage but not a requirement.
* A familiarity with all mainstream social media platforms.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS:
Internal:
* Communication & Marketing Team
* Directors
* Artists
* New Work
* Production
* HR
* Development
* Community and Education
* Sales and Customer Service
* Events Team
* Archive
External:
* Audience
* Journalists
* Influencers
* Theatremakers
* Photographers
* Publicists and media agencies
* Department, Arts Council and industry colleagues
APPLICATION PROCESS:
To apply, please upload the below information:
1. Up to date CV
2. Cover letter (Outlining why you want this particular post and highlighting the skills and experience that you could contribute)
3. Completed brief (included in follow up email once application is submitted).
The deadline for applications is 5.30pm on Friday, 21st February 2025.
The Abbey Theatre is an equal opportunities employer
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