Job Title: Head of Communications & Strategic Engagement
Reporting To: CEO
Contract Type: Fixed-Term
Contract: 6 Months
Hours: 4 days per week (0.8 WTE)
Location: Hybrid working arrangement with Head Office based in Maynooth, Co. Kildare
Salary: Pro-rated to €65,457 per annum (0.8 WTE)
Background to the Role
This fixed-term appointment arises following the retirement of the current postholder and is intended to support organisational continuity during a period of organisational review and future planning.
Over the coming months, Shine will undertake a review of organisational structures and future operational requirements in line with the organisation’s Strategic Plan 2026–2028 and evolving service, communications and engagement priorities.
This temporary appointment will ensure continuity of leadership across communications, strategic engagement, campaigns, stakeholder engagement and organisational profile while this review process is undertaken.
Any future permanent arrangements arising from this review process will be subject to separate recruitment processes.
Purpose of the Role
The Head of Communications & Strategic Engagement will provide interim leadership across Shine’s communications and engagement functions and support delivery of agreed organisational priorities and OKRs during the contract period.
The role will work collaboratively across the organisation to coordinate strategic communications activity, strengthen organisational visibility and support delivery of key publications, campaigns and stakeholder engagement priorities.
The role requires the ability to operate effectively at senior leadership level within a complex, fast-paced organisational environment and to manage cross-organisational communications priorities with a high degree of autonomy and judgement.
Key Deliverables During Contract Period
The successful candidate will support delivery across the following priority areas:
Strategic Leadership & Organisational Development
- Support delivery of communications priorities aligned to Shine’s Strategic Plan and 2026 OKRs.
- Maintain consistent organisational messaging and communications coordination across teams.
- Support organisational visibility, stakeholder engagement and media profile.
Communications, Media & Public Engagement
- Coordinate communications activity associated with Green Ribbon and other priority campaigns.
- Support media relations, public engagement and reputational communications activity.
- Support communications associated with organisational events and launches.
Organisational Publications, Impact Reporting & Brand Management
- Coordinate production of Shine’s Annual Report.
- Support delivery of the Green Ribbon Impact Report and associated organisational publications.
- Support development of impact-focused communications materials.
Fundraising Communications & Strategic Partnerships
- Work collaboratively with the Fundraising Lead to support fundraising communications and income diversification activity.
- Support donor, sponsorship and partnership communications across digital and public engagement platforms.
- Support communications approaches linked to new fundraising technologies and audience engagement initiatives.
Communications Systems & Collaboration
- Support effective cross-organisational communications planning and coordination.
- Support communications performance monitoring and reporting aligned with organisational OKRs.
- Work collaboratively with programme, operational and leadership teams.
Core Competencies
- Strategic Leadership
- Communications & Influence
- Relationship & Stakeholder Management
- People Management & Team Development
- Project & Operational Management
- Governance & Accountability
- Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Values-Based Leadership
Essential Experience
Applicants should demonstrate:
- significant senior experience in communications, media relations, strategic engagement or public affairs;
- experience managing strategic communications projects and publications;
- strong understanding of digital communications and stakeholder engagement;
- excellent writing, presentation and media engagement skills;
- experience working collaboratively across organisations and multidisciplinary teams;
- and understanding of the mental health, charity, public or social inclusion sectors.
Terms & Conditions
- Fixed-term contract: 6 months
- 0.8 WTE
- Hybrid working arrangement
- Appointment subject to references and completion of statutory training.
- Shine is an equal opportunities employer
Shine benefits include:
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme.
- 24 days annual leave per annum (pro-rated to 19 days) plus one wellbeing day per annum.
- Access to Shine pension scheme with 5% employer contribution
- Death in service benefit.
- Training and ongoing professional development.
- Paid maternity and paternity leave.
Equality, Diversity & Safeguarding
Shine is committed to equality, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding and expects all staff to uphold these principles in their work. Shine is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds, including people with lived experience of mental illness.
Applications
Please provide a copy of your current CV, together with a cover letter addressing how your skills and experience meet the requirements outlined above. Applications should be submitted by email to recruit@shine.ie before 1pm on Friday 5th June 2026.
