Stakeholder Relations Manager

We are seeking an experienced Stakeholder Relations Manager to join a well-established, highly regulated public-sector organisation in a newly created strategic role.

This is not a traditional communications, media or PR position. The primary focus of the role is strategic stakeholder relationship management - creating a coordinated, organisation-wide approach to how senior leaders engage with key external stakeholders.

You will act as a central point of coordination across the organisation, ensuring that important stakeholder relationships are managed consistently, strategically and effectively. You will work closely with the CEO, Directors and senior leadership to provide advice, oversight and support on complex stakeholder matters.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who understands how to navigate complex, regulated environments and is confident working with senior stakeholders across government, regulatory, healthcare, industry and other public-interest organisations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an organisation-wide stakeholder engagement strategy, aligned with strategic priorities.
• Build, maintain and strengthen relationships with key external stakeholders, including government departments, regulatory bodies, healthcare organisations, patient groups and industry representatives.
• Provide strategic advice and counsel to the CEO, Directors and senior leadership on stakeholder relationships, emerging issues and sensitive matters.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement across the organisation, ensuring senior leaders and departments are aligned in their approach and interactions.
• Identify and assess stakeholder opportunities, risks and emerging issues, ensuring relevant matters are escalated and appropriately managed.
• Support senior leaders in preparing for and participating in high-level stakeholder meetings, forums and external engagements, acting as a senior representative where required.
• Develop processes, tools and guidance to strengthen stakeholder engagement across the organisation and ensure effective tracking and follow-up of key relationships.
• Manage and develop one direct report, while driving continuous improvement in the organisation's stakeholder engagement approach.

The Stakeholder Landscape:

The successful candidate will engage with a broad range of senior external stakeholders and organisations such as the below:

Government departments, Regulatory bodies, Healthcare organisations, Professional and representative bodies, Patient organisations, Industry representatives, Senior public-sector stakeholders, and other national and international partners.

The role requires someone who can understand different stakeholder priorities, identify areas of influence and risk, and develop effective long-term relationships.

What We're Looking For:

We are looking for someone with strong, demonstrable stakeholder relations experience who has operated within a public-sector, government, regulatory, healthcare or similarly complex environment.

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years' relevant experience at a senior level in stakeholder engagement, stakeholder relations, public affairs, government relations or a related field.
• Experience working with government departments, regulators, public bodies or other highly regulated organisations. (You will not be considered for this role otherwise).
• Proven experience developing and implementing stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Strong experience managing relationships with senior external stakeholders.
• Experience advising and influencing senior leadership, Directors or CEO-level stakeholders.
• The ability to navigate complex organisations and competing stakeholder interests.
• Strong influencing, relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent judgement and the ability to manage complex, sensitive or high-impact stakeholder matters.
• The ability to understand complex information quickly and communicate it clearly to different audiences.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Experience managing or developing people.
• NFQ Level 8 degree in a relevant discipline such as public affairs, administration, political science or another relevant field.

Important - Please Read

Candidates will only be considered where they can demonstrate strong stakeholder relations experience within a public body, government organisation, regulated industry or similarly complex regulated environment.

We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with government, regulators, healthcare organisations, professional bodies, industry stakeholders or other public-interest organisations.

What This Role Offers

• High-profile strategic role reporting directly to the CEO
• 1 direct report
• Regular exposure to Directors and senior leadership
• Opportunity to establish and shape a new stakeholder relations function
• Hybrid working - 2 days per week in the office
• Core hours of 9am-5pm
• 3-year contract, with the organisation noting that this is its standard arrangement before moving to permanency for long-term roles.

If you are an experienced stakeholder relations professional who enjoys working at a senior level, navigating complex organisations and building meaningful relationships across the public, regulatory and healthcare landscape, we would be keen to hear from you.