THE COMPANY
The Irish Times Group is Ireland’s leading independent quality news and information publishing organisation. The core activity of The Irish Times Group has evolved from six-day print publishing to a seven-day multi-platform news publisher with a market-leading position in the development of subscriptions. We focus on producing quality journalism and information for our users under the principles of The Irish Times. As well as our B2C subscriptions business we provide (B2B) media solutions for customers as we continue to grow and evolve in a fast-paced changing media landscape.
The company is owned by The Irish Times Trust and is managed by The Irish Times DAC. In recent years, The Irish Times Group expanded its interests to include the Irish Examiner, The Echo, regional newspapers, in addition to the Citywest print facility, RecruitIreland.com, MyHome.ie, RIP.ie, The Gloss and Score Beo.
THE ROLE
This role is responsible for overseeing the strategy, performance, and end-to-end execution of the Group’s events portfolio across The Irish Times, the Irish Examiner, The Echo and The Gloss, including sponsor and partner events.
The position establishes the vision and event roadmap, curates engaging content and formats, develops robust commercial propositions through sponsorship and exhibition revenue, as well as audience revenue through ticket and table sales.
Deliver best in class, on-brand on-budget events for key existing and new audiences to drive engagement and memorable experiences as well as brand partner opportunities to connect with Irish Times Group audiences. Additionally, it involves managing, leading, and developing a team of Event Managers and Event Executives, as well as cultivating a trusted network of suppliers.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop and deliver the Group events strategy and annual plan across The Irish Times, the Irish Examiner, The Echo and The Gloss, ensuring alignment with audience, brand, and commercial goals.
- Oversee the full event portfolio, evaluating, managing, and enhancing existing events, identifying opportunities for growth, and increased margins.
- Lead event development in collaboration with Editorial, Marketing, Finance, and Commercial teams to shape content, format, and experience, while ensuring brand consistency and best in class production values.
- Drive commercial success by building sponsor packages and delivering events to optimum standards.
- Enhance opportunities for subscriber engagement and retention by delivering a range of premium and compelling events.
- Manage operational planning and delivery, including venues, production, suppliers, budgets.
- Mitigate risk and ensure systems are in place to exceed standards across all areas of health and safety.
- Lead, coach, and develop the events team, establishing best practice, governance, and continuous improvement across planning, delivery, and client management.
- Collaborate with the audience and social media teams to maximise event reach and engagement and provide thorough post-event analysis for all stakeholders.
- Ensure events planning and scheduling is considerate of communications plan, business objectives and capacity to deliver a compelling schedule of on-brand events across the Group.
SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong commercial acumen, including excellent client-facing skills, sound margin management, sponsorship packaging, proposal writing and client event delivery.
- Established supplier network with effective negotiation and cost control abilities.
- Experience in collaborating cross functionally to deliver events which simultaneously consider and deliver business objectives and audience needs.
- Expert in management of event related logistics, planning and on-site production.
- Skilled at leveraging social media channels pre-, during, and post-event to maximise reach and audience engagement.
- Demonstrated ability to uphold and protect brand integrity throughout all phases of event planning and delivery, ensuring all activities are consistent with brand values and quality standards.
- Relevant third-level qualification in marketing, communications, business, hospitality, or event management, or equivalent experience.
Personal Specifications:
- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate ideas into compelling event propositions and executable plans.
- Commercial mindset with strong judgement on value, pricing, cost control versus budget goals or sponsor/client outcomes.
- Confident communicator who can influence senior stakeholders and third-party vendors.
- Strong leadership and people-development skills, creating clarity, momentum, and accountability across the team.
- A dynamic leader with a sharp instinct for business and brand priorities, and a passion for delivering an outstanding portfolio of standout events across the Group.
- Able to travel within Ireland and work irregular hours to meet the demands of live events.
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail and calm execution under pressure.
- Collaborative and solutions-focused, able to partner effectively across Editorial, Marketing, Commercial, Finance and Operations.
- Commitment to inclusive, accessible event experiences and a strong focus on audience experience and brand quality.
Please Apply via the Apply button below and we will have a closing date for application of Friday June 5th at 4pm.
The Irish Times Group operate a Hybrid working policy.
Our benefits include, Health Insurance contribution, Pension Contribution, Sick Leave Cover, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Irish Times & Irish Examiner Premium Digital Subscription, Income Protection Policy, Corporate Gym Membership discounts, Free Digital GP and Life Assurance Policy.
