Press Officer (National)

Early Childhood Ireland is the leading national children's advocacy and membership organisation. We work in partnership with Early Years, School Age Care and Childminding settings to ensure that every child is thriving and learning. We advocate for an effective and inclusive system which values, supports and invests in childhood, children and services.

Early Childhood Ireland's Strategic Plan () contains two ambitions. By 2026:

• We are the largest membership organisation in the sector and our members are leading the way in achieving quality practice in child-centred settings.
• We are the leading advocate for children in Early Years and School Age Care (EY and SAC) settings in Ireland, influencing policy and legislative development, and achieving an investment level of 1% of GDP by 2025.
• We follow a theory of change model to guide strategic actions toward clear outcomes, using a strong monitoring and evaluation framework and a Results Based Management approach.

We are committed to investing in our people and culture, delivering on our strategic plan while creating a great place to work. We operate on a blended working basis, offering flexibility, learning, growth and thriving opportunities.

• POSITION: Press Officer (National)
• REPORTS TO: Media Manager
• TEAM: Policy, Advocacy and Campaigning
• CONTRACT: Full time/Permanent, subject to funding, after successful completion of a six month probation period
• LOCATION: Tallaght, South Dublin
• MODEL OF WORKING: Blended working model for the foreseeable future, subject to review

Job Purpose

The overall purpose of this post is to consolidate Early Childhood Ireland's position as a significant voice, influencing the early childhood system for young children, settings, and the Early Years and School Age Care system.

As a key member of the Policy, Advocacy and Campaigning team, the Press Officer will raise public awareness nationally of the importance of high quality experiences for children and highlight child centred practice already being delivered in member settings.

The post holder reports to the Media Manager and engages strongly with teams across the organisation. The successful candidate will be a proven self starter, highly collaborative, have excellent communication skills, and a track record of implementing significant media plans at a national scale.

Responsibilities

• Strengthen the organisation's presence in national media through an agreed plan and proactively identify opportunities to raise awareness of quality Early Years and School Age Care.
• Work closely with all teams to ensure messaging and plans are coherent, understood, and aligned with the Strategic Plan .
• Manage key press events and initiatives in collaboration with the media team.

Press and Media

• Create and execute media plans with the Media Manager and the team.
• Prepare and disseminate timely press materials on both a proactive and reactive basis.
• Deliver an ambitious monthly media calendar.
• Drive media activities around key campaigns, including National Pyjama Day, the annual Budget campaign and the Barometer.
• Identify strategic press and media opportunities.
• Support the Media Manager with accurate briefs for spokespeople.
• Establish and consolidate relationships with journalists across print, online and broadcast media.
• Evaluate the impact of press and media activities and identify emerging trends.
• Provide support for local and regional media outputs when needed.

Social Media

• Plan, manage and evaluate the organisation's Bluesky presence in line with the overall communications strategy.
• Work with the Communications team to support policy related campaigns and share updates on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Other

• Keep up to date with relevant Early Years and School Age Care policy developments nationally and internationally.
• Contribute to the management of policy and other events.
• Contribute to both in house and external communications, including blogs, members communications and e zines.
• Contribute to relevant funding applications and reports.
• Promote the organisation at relevant external events.
• Maintain a professional standard of work in accordance with the organisation's goals, values and ethos.

Person Specification

All the following requirements are essential, unless marked with a when they are deemed desirable.

Essential

• Minimum 2 years' experience in a similar role, with a specific focus on media relations.
• 3rd level qualification in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations or similar.
• Strong commitment to working for positive change in children's lives.
• Demonstrable success in securing media coverage in print, online and/or broadcast outlets.
• Experience dealing with media queries and pitching stories.
• Excellent writing, editing and critical thinking skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills.
• Proactive self starter.

Education and Qualifications

• A Level 8 degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations or similar.
• Master's level qualification in a relevant field (desirable).

Skills and Experience

• Developing and implementing proactive and reactive media plans.
• Translating complex topics into accessible messaging.
• Maintaining positive relationships with journalists, researchers and producers.
• Drafting and disseminating press materials timely.
• Producing multi platform external communications, including speeches, press releases, blogs, e zines and social media.
• Managing events for diverse audiences (desirable).

Knowledge and Understanding

• Understanding of the Irish media landscape.
• Effective media strategy implementation.
• Public affairs in Ireland (desirable).

Personal Attributes and Qualities

• Highly collaborative and able to engage confidently with colleagues.
• Initiative driven with potential for leadership when needed.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise multiple deadlines.
• Strong team player who can also work independently.

Terms and Conditions

• Employer: Early Childhood Ireland
• Location: Head Office in Tallaght; blended working model - remote and national office as agreed.
• Contract details: Full time post reporting to the Media Manager; six month probation period.
• Salary: €38,315 to €45,159, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Annual Leave Entitlement: 23 days.
• Hours of Work: 35 hour working week; may require evenings and weekends; flexi time after probation.
• Employee Benefits:
  • Defined contribution pension scheme with 6-10% employer contribution; mandatory enrolment.
  • Tax saver commuter ticket, Bike to Work, employee assistance programme, influenza vaccination, eye tests, health screening service.
  • Two privilege leave days per year (Good Friday and Christmas Eve) and PRSA.
• Benefits upon successful completion of probation:
  • Access to a Health Plan and group discount for Hospital Saturday Fund (HSF).
  • Death in service benefit.
  • Professional fees and training opportunities as applicable.
  • Additional annual leave (desirable).
  • Paid maternity, paternity, adoptive and sick leave (desirable).
  • Educational assistance (desirable).
  • AA roadside assistance if travel required.

Application Process

To apply, submit a CV and cover letter via email with the subject line 'Press Officer' to by Friday, 12 June at 5pm.

The cover letter should address the essential requirements and demonstrate understanding of the role, providing evidence and examples of relevant media work. The CV should be no more than three pages long.

Shortlisting may be based on the Job Description and Person Specification. Candidates may be asked for further information or to undertake additional tasks.

Interviews will take place between Friday 19 and Friday 26 June 2026.

Early Childhood Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer and is committed to making the recruitment process accessible. For accommodations, email . The organisation is aligned to the Children First National Guidance 2017, Children First Act 2015 and the National Vetting Bureau Act 2012.