Research Communications Manager (Health Sciences)

• Research Communications Manager (Health Sciences)

Contract type Fixed Contract Closing date 09 Sep :30 PM

Location West Theatre, Trinity College Dublin

Salary Administrative 1 (Points 1-3) Salary Scale (€71,651 - €92,692per annum)

Telling the story of Trinity's research and impact is fundamental to fostering research talent and strengthening Trinity's reputation on the global stage. Powerful and audible thought leaders are living proof of the importance of research and research-led institutions. The Research Communications Manager for Health Sciences (HS) develops and implements research communication strategies for the Faculty and its researchers.

The Purpose of the Role

Telling the story of Trinity's research and impact is fundamental to fostering research talent and strengthening Trinity's reputation on the global stage. Powerful and audible thought leaders are living proof of the importance of research and research-led institutions.

The Research Communications Manager for Health Sciences (HS) develops and implements research communication strategies for the Faculty and its researchers.

The post holder empowers and steers researchers on their communications journey, shaping and supporting them to become thought leaders in their discipline, nationally and internationally.

As the media communications lead for the Faculty, they give strategic oversight and support other communication professionals within HS.

They are the primary point of contact for the media, managing media relationships for the Faculty and ensuring Trinity's research stories are heard at home and abroad. They provide strategic advice on crisis communications within their specialist areas and also lead on the communication of research stories across the University's central digital platforms.

This is a specific purpose contract. The specific purpose of this employment is to fill an Administrative Officer vacancy on a temporary basis pending the return of the postholder from authorised leave. Employment is not offered on an indefinite duration basis as the original postholder is expected to return. If the postholder does not return to work the post will be filled through open competition.

Context

The post-holder is a senior member of the Trinity Communications team. Reporting directly to the Director of Public Affairs and Communications the post holder has a high level of autonomy. Operating in a challenging, risky and fast-paced environment, they are required to make quick decisions on media and other communications matters, negotiating with and influencing colleagues internally and externally on important, sometimes divisive issues.

They advise the Faculty Dean, Heads of School, Directors of Research Institutes, Principal Investigators, the Dean of Research, Associate Directors in Trinity Development and Alumni and Research Funding Specialists within the Research Development Office.

As the sole specialist leading on strategic research communications for Trinity's Faculty of HS, they also steer and support other communication professionals within the Faculty, providing expert advice for research communication at School and local levels.

They represent Trinity and Trinity researchers externally, actively managing relationships and negotiating with high-level stakeholders, including Government departments, state agencies, funders, benefactors, research partners, other universities and the media.

Main Responsibilities

Strategic:

• Develop and lead a coordinated and proactive media relations research communications programme for the area of HS to support Trinity's strategic objectives as set out by the University's Strategic Plan and Public Affairs and Communications Strategy, informed by Trinity's Living Research Excellence Strategy
• Proactively horizon scan to identify media opportunities and secure media coverage for researchers to position them as thought leaders and expert commentators
• Provide strategic and crisis communications support to senior staff and researchers participating in media engagement on tricky subjects; including out of hours support and providing suggested responses on sensitive, contentious issues
• Lead on the development of a culture of communication in which Trinity's researchers are empowered to talk about their work and its importance.
• Support the delivery of key strategies and initiatives through targeted strategic communications (e.g. Trinity St James's Cancer Institute (TSJCI), the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), IDS-TILDA (disability supplement of TILDA), Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI), Trinity Public Health and Primary Care, University Hospital Tallaght, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN), Trinity Centre for Maternity Care Research.
• Key member of the TSJCI Public Affairs and Communications Group, advising on strategic communications and working closely with lead funding partner, the Irish Cancer Society and St James's Hospital communications teams
• Develop and lead on high-level support and strategic communication protocols and strategies to increase Trinity's success in securing flagship research funding (e.g. strategic communication advice for ERC award interviewees, at the pre-interview stage, and sustained communications planning for ERC and Horizon Europe award winners and award announcements post-interview)
• Support the Faculty Dean, and Dean of Research and Head of Research in the implementation of a strategic research communications vision for their Faculty, and the university, respectively
• Strategically advise and support other communication professionals within HS.
• Work with Schools and research institutes within the Faculty to communicate media coverage at a School level as part of its measure of 'impact' or 'success'
• Work with the Irish Language Unit to ensure a proportion of Trinity research stories are showcased in the Irish language on the Trinity website.

General:

• Lead media engagement of research communications for the Faculty of HS, proactively developing and pitching research stories to mainstream and specialist media organisations nationally and internationally and serving as the sole specialist contact for media enquiries
• Cultivate and manage relationships with key media contacts including editors, journalists, producers, documentary makers and podcast developers to enhance the visibility of Trinity's research
• Hold responsibility for the review and selection of media monitoring tools for the university and manage third party suppliers e.g. media monitoring agencies
• Lead and deliver digital research stories, translating complex research into clear engaging and easily digestible material for online audiences in a variety of formats, including producing video and across Trinity's corporate social media channels
• Identify and deliver opportunities for impactful communication for Trinity researchers as expert commentators and thought leaders
• Mentor and closely support researchers who are engaging with the media for the first time including a diverse representation of early career researchers, post-docs and PhD candidates
• Have editorial responsibility for writing and posting research stories on the main Trinity homepage and the 'news and events' section of the Trinity website
• Develop and deliver research content for college-level publications such as the Provost's Review, Research Magazine, Trinity in 50 Items, and the Trinity Research Stories digital campaign
• Provide intensive event and communications support for key high-level initiatives and events and photo calls
• Lead communications for high-level multi-partner national and international research programmes led by Trinity, e.g. Trinity St James's Cancer Institute and TILDA.
• Manage tangible KPIs, develop, track and evaluate research media performance, providing reports and analysis to our communications and research community

Internal Leadership:

• Devise and deliver media training to researchers and advise and support them in their interactions with the media; this will include providing strategic advice on media engagement, interview preparation, framing of research for a lay audience and management of potentially sensitive issues/items/areas
• Provide leadership and support to staff with communication and public engagement responsibilities in the Faculty and associated Units
• Create and lead a research communications network for professional staff in Trinity with a focus on research communication or public engagement responsibilities across the Faculty, offering strategic direction and support
• Represent the Trinity Communications team on college-wide and external committees and networks
• Steer research communication approaches across the wider Communications team
• Deputise for the Director of Public Affairs and Communications, and Deputy Director when necessary.

Person Requirements

The role-holder will require the following knowledge, skills and attributes for successful performance in the role

Qualifications:

Postgraduate degree or higher qualification in journalism or communications, or in a discipline relevant to the Faculty (essential)

Knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge of the media landscape in Ireland and significant knowledge of that landscape internationally - essential
• Extensive knowledge of the HS national and international landscape
• Significant knowledge of the research landscape in Ireland . click apply for full job details