Job Title: Communications Manager

Reporting to: Senior Public Affairs and External Communications Manager / Internal Communications Manager

Affiliate: Irish Distillers

Location: Simmonscourt, Dublin 4 / Hybrid

Contract: Permanent

Positions Reporting to The Job Holder: 0 

Key Relationships Internal:  Communications & Corporate Affairs Team, Global Marketing Team, Irish Distillers Market Company, Production, HR, Group Centres of Excellence, Pernod Ricard Aged Spirits & Champagne Division & Group Communications

Key Relationships External: Key Media, Corporate Communications & Trade Media Agencies

Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers, a Pernod Ricard company, is a producer of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys, and one of Ireland’s leading suppliers of spirits.

Our whiskey portfolio, which is distilled in Midleton, Co Cork - the World’s Most Awarded Distillery in the World [1] - and bottled in Dublin, include Jameson, the World’s Most Awarded Irish Whiskey: Redbreast, the World’s Most Awarded Single Pot Still; Midleton Very Rare, the Pinnacle of Irish Whiskey as well as The Spot Whiskeys, Powers and Method and Madness.

Irish Distillers Communications & Corporate Affairs Department

The Communications and Corporate Affairs Function at Irish Distillers is a team of talented individuals with expertise across a diverse mix of disciplines from corporate communications, content production, to public affairs and internal engagement.

Adept at relationship building, we are strategic storytellers and business partners, engaging our stakeholders to build belief in our brands and drive growth across our business.

The team sits at the heart of Irish Distillers, playing a central role within Pernod Ricard’s Aged Spirits and Champagne Brand Unit.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Senior Public Affairs and External Communications Manager, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Internal Communications Manager, this role plays a key part in shaping and delivering communications to both internal and external stakeholders across Irish Distillers.

Through clear, engaging corporate and internal communications, the role will create high-quality content across multiple channels that supports the business strategy, strengthens stakeholder engagement and helps build pride in our people, brands and business.

Key Responsibilities

External Communications Responsibilities:

External Corporate Content & Channel Management

• Develop a communications strategy & calendar for Irish Distillers corporate social channels
• Implement effective approvals process for social media content
• Define and track strategies to grow engagement on our external channels
• Storymine for content across the business to support our external communications strategy
• Working with our agencies, develop and deliver bespoke creative social content projects as required
• Develop content for Irish Distillers’ website and manage updates as required
• Manage monitoring services and deliver briefings, as required, to selected internal audiences, showcasing earned corporate and brand coverage
• Support press/media trips to Irish Distillers Brand Homes - Jameson Distiller Bow Street and Midleton Distillery Experience.
• Work with the Irish Distillers Market Company as required on individual/ad hoc PR projects for the wider Pernod Ricard Brand portfolio

Trade Press Activity

• Working with the Group Public Relations & Events Centre of Excellence, manage and support the trade press strategy for brand launches
• Manage the Press Office for inbound media queries
• Working with the relevant agency, gather facts for the development of trade press releases, FAQs, interview briefing documents for spokespeople etc.
• Review/edit first edits of press releases, FAQs, briefing documents etc.
• Support senior spokespeople prior to interviews

Global Brand Awards

• Working with the Group Trade Advocacy Centre of Excellence, the Aged Spirits and Champagne Division & relevant PR agency, support the Irish Whiskey Portfolio Awards Strategy

Internal Communications

Internal Content Creation & Channel management

• Develop & execute a channel communications strategy & calendar for Irish Distillers internal communications channels
• Define and track strategies to grow engagement on our internal channels
• Storymine for content across the business to support our internal communications strategy
• Maintain existing and develop innovative new channels to communicate and engage with employees.
• Develop content appropriate to our different internal audiences
• Identify and develop a team of local communication champions on each site and within departments to rely key messages in an innovative and inspiring manner.

Management of Communications Assets

• Develop, manage and update a corporate image bank and AV repository for external & internal use, including but not limited to visual assets for internal and external digital channels and internal & external campaign materials.
• Develop resources for the wider business including, but not limited, to corporate presentations, key internal & external messages, issue management.

General

• Support the Corporate Communications Manager and the Internal Communications Manager on external and internal communication projects & activities including but not limited to media training for spokespeople across the business, Townhalls
• External & Internal reporting as required
• Manage the internal & external email in-box and maintain/update repository of stock responses

Key skills required

• Excellent communication skills to include strong presentation and copy writing skill
• Strong understanding of strategic communications landscape, including media, for a global brand company
• Strong budget management skills
• Strong networking skills
• Strong digital communications skills
• Keen understanding of AI and how it can be utilised across the Irish Distillers communications function
• Intimate knowledge and strong interest in national and global politics
• Innovative and creative
• Results orientated and creative problem solver
• Excellent organisational skills, ability to prioritise tasks and attention to detail 
• Demonstrate up to date knowledge of all emerging communication channels, media and consumer trends
• Strong analytical ability to interrogate data, information and research to inform planning and decision making
• Ability to balance driving strategy with tactical delivery
• Ability to work across multiple stakeholder groups, from senior leadership through to stakeholders at ground level, inc media

Qualifications and experience

• Educated to degree level, ideally in Communications, Public Affairs, Marketing or related discipline; A Masters degree would be an advantage
• Minimum of 5 years + classic FMCG corporate communications or related experience, achieved in a high performing environment with proven ability to develop strong relationships and influence senior stakeholders
• Experience in agency management, strategic communications ore related area
• A track record of best in class development and execution of integrated commmunications planning or related area.

Person Specification

• Passion for communications 
• High energy, high creativity and ability to work under own initiative
• Results orientated
• Strong judgment
• Ability to work under pressure, with competing deliverables.
• Team worker

What we offer

We understand our people are our special ingredient. We offer an environment that is engaging, supportive and collaborative.  We understand that employees require different supports at different stages of their working lives and our benefits, perks and programmes look to support your full employee journey. We want to make you feel recognised and valued for your contribution to our shared success. Some of offerings include;

• Hybrid working: A blended working arrangement office and where you work best
• Profit share: An annual profit share scheme to reward your contribution to the company’s success.
• Allowance: An annual allowance to spend on our portfolio of products and merchandise, for you to enjoy responsibly
• People Development: We enable continuous development for our people at every stage of their careers through our people development, online learning, and leadership training programmes
• Family leave: Fully paid maternity, parent and paternity leave, allowing you spend precious time with your new family member
• Parental Support: Our ‘Reconnect’ programme includes access to a workplace parenting coach, a phased return to work and a supportive environment for new parents
• Health & Wellbeing: Our Wellbeing Programme “THRIVE” supports employees across the three main pillars: Life, Body and Mind
• Charity Days: Up to 2 days paid leave every year to volunteer at a charity of their choice

At Irish Distillers, we know that great spirits are crafted by blending unique ingredients, and we believe the same is true for people. We actively welcome individuals from all walks of life, and warmly welcome those with diverse religious backgrounds, ethnicities, members of the Irish Travelling community, genders, abilities, and identities. It’s the mix of our experiences, voices, and cultures that gives us our true character.”

Our recruiting team are more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process, in order for you to participate fully in our recruitment experience. For assistance, please contact us at  [email protected]

Learn more about working with Irish Distillers www.irishdistillers.ie/careers

[1] 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC)

IND1

Job Posting End Date: