Communications Officer

The Western Development Commission (WDC) is a statutory body whose role is to promote the social and economic development of the western region of Ireland.

The WDC works with a range of stakeholders to support sustainable and inclusive growth in the region and has a strong track record of delivering impactful initiatives and programmes.

Culture of the WDC : At the WDC, we are committed to creating a positive and supportive work environment where employees can thrive and make a difference.

Our culture is defined by teamwork, innovation, and a deep sense of purpose.

We value diversity, respect for different perspectives, and a willingness to learn and grow.

If you are passionate about making a difference in the western region of Ireland and want to be part of a dynamic and collaborative team, we encourage you to apply for this role.

Purpose of position : Reporting to the Head of Communications, the Communications Officer will support the delivery of WDC's communications, public relations, and digital engagement objectives.

Working closely with the Head of Communications and wider teams, they will help communicate the organisation's strategy, projects, and initiatives across multiple platforms and to a variety of stakeholders.

This is a key role in maintaining the WDC's visibility and public engagement, ensuring alignment with our five-year strategy and supporting the delivery of communications campaigns for both internal and external audiences.

Key responsibilities : Digital Communications and Marketing Manage and implement the social media content calendar across key platforms (Twitter / X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram).Create and curate content for digital channels; monitor performance and engagement metrics.Support the delivery of digital advertising campaigns as required.Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholdersInternal Communications Draft and distribute internal newsletters including communications from the CEO.Create and analyse staff surveys and feedback forms.Assist with the organisation of internal events, staff wellbeing days, and all-staff meetings.Website Management Update and maintain content across WDC and Connected Hubs websites (WordPress CMS).Support the delivery of a website optimisation project aligned with SEO and Google AdWords standards.Liaise with the external web agency to resolve issues and implement updates.Brand and Design Support Act as brand ambassador for WDC, ensuring consistent use of logos, templates, and visual identity.Support the development of branded materials including reports, presentations, and promotional assets.Liaise with graphic design agencies for larger design and print projects.Events and Campaigns Provide logistical support for WDC-hosted and attended events (physical and virtual).Assist in the planning, promotion, and delivery of public outreach campaigns and launches.Administrative and Reporting Support budget tracking, financial drawdowns, and payment processing.Assist in compiling reports, filing records, and maintaining databases.Provide general administrative support to the communications team.Stakeholder Engagement Engage with key stakeholders and partners on projects such as ConnectedHubs.ie.Contribute to the preparation of press releases, stakeholder newsletters, and media briefings.Maintain the WDC's image bank (PhotoShelter CMS) and respond to image requests.The above is not, and does not purport to be, a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post.

Eligibility Criteria and Experience : Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following :

Proven experience in communications, digital marketing, or public relations.Strong content creation and writing skills for digital and traditional media.Proficiency in managing websites (preferably WordPress) and social media platforms.Excellent organisational and multitasking skills.Experience working collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders.Competence in standard office software and content management toolsThe following requirements are desirable :

Experience working in a public sector or not-for-profit environmentFamiliarity with communications strategy implementation and campaign managementUnderstanding of regional development issues or working with rural stakeholdersProven experience of working remotely is advantageousFor effective performance at this level, the candidate will need to demonstrate that they possess the key competencies for effective performance at Executive Officer level :

People ManagementAnalysis & Decision MakingDelivery of ResultsInterpersonal & Communication SkillsDrive & Commitment to Public Service ValuesFurther details on the Civil Service Competency Framework are available here.

Conditions : The appointment will be for a full-time, fixed-term contract for 12 months, subject to a probationary period as specified in the employment contract.

All appointments are subject to the Western Development Commission Act 1998 and staff must agree to the WDC Code of Business Conduct under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.

Due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate will hold a full driving license and have access to transport as this post will involve travel nationally in support of the seven county Western Region.

When absent from home and your designated office location on official duty, you will be paid accordingly.

Remote First : At the WDC, we follow the Government's / our parent Department's guidance in extending remote working to all employees.

In order to provide flexibility and opportunities for dynamic collaboration and work / life balance.

We believe in harnessing technology to drive innovation and maximize efficiency, empowering our team to thrive in a flexible work environment.

We promote in-person collaboration and attendance at our offices located in Sligo, Galway, Letterkenny and Ballaghaderreen, when it is required or warranted.

New staff or those on probation may initially work on-site more frequently until completing role induction, as decided by their manager or the CEO.

The salary scale for this post will be equivalent to that of the Civil Service Executive Officer Standard Scale :

Personal Pension Contribution (PPC) Pay Rate : The salary for this position, with effect from 1st March 2025 is as follows : ¹ After 3 years satisfactory service at the maximum. ² after 6 years satisfactory service at the maximum. Please note : The starting salary for the person appointed to this post will be the first point on the above scale unless the successful application has previous public sector experience as per circular 08 / 2019.

Application and selection process : Please email your application to

• clearly stating the position you are applying for in the subject line of the email

As part as of the application process, you will be required to submit the follow documentation :

a) A comprehensive CV detailed as relevant to the position (no longer than three pages);b) A short cover letter / personal statement (no more than one page) outlining why you wish to be considered for the post and where you believe your skills and experience meet the requirements for the position.We request that both documents are submitted in a single Word document or PDF where possible.

Please note that omission of any or part of the two requested documents, as set out above, will render the application incomplete.

Incomplete applications will not be considered for the next stage of the selection process.

If you do not receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your application within two working days of applying, please email

Closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 14 th July 2025 at 5pm The WDC is an equal opportunities employer

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