Communications Lead
Gas Networks Ireland operates and maintains Ireland’s €3bn, 14,725km national gas network, which is considered one of the safest and most modern renewables-ready gas networks in the world.
Almost 725,000 Irish homes and businesses trust Ireland’s gas network to provide efficient and reliable energy to meet their heating, cooking, manufacturing and transport needs. The gas network is the cornerstone of Ireland’s energy system, securely supplying more than 30% of Ireland’s total energy and over 40% of the country’s electricity generation.
Gas Networks Ireland is aiming to deliver a repurposed, resized and fully decarbonised gas network by 2045. Its “Pathway to a Net Zero Carbon Network” envisions transforming the existing gas network into two separate systems carrying 100% renewable gas, one dedicated to biomethane and the other to green hydrogen, with the potential to carry approximately 30% biomethane and 70% green hydrogen, as well as offering significant long term energy export opportunities.
Gas Networks is an organisation with a very strong legacy and a culture founded on pride in our purpose, to keep Irelands energy moving, and commitment to our vision, to be at the heart of Irelands energy future. Our organisational values demonstrate what is important across the organisation including building on our experience across our organisation to build towards our sustainable future, doing what's right for each other and for the people and communities that we serve and finally energised for the change of our future towards a renewable energy landscape. Throughout your career in Gas Networks Ireland, you will be part of an organisation that has a strong commitment to supporting and developing our workforce today and into the future. You will also have an opportunity to get involved in our ambitious iBelong programme ensuring a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for us all to thrive. Finally, our Time to Talk Mental Health programme and our wellbeing initiatives ensure we provide support across many areas as you work in our organisation.
The Role:
Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) has been tasked by the government with developing a Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve (SGER). GNI has created a dedicated Project team, responsible for developing a comprehensive business case and programme plan for delivery. There is a requirement for an SGER Communications Lead to manage and lead communications activities under the Project.
Reporting to the Programme Director, the SGER Communications Lead will work closely with the project team to ensure that technical communications are effectively delivered. They will be responsible for understanding and ensuring compliance with statutory obligations regarding communications on infrastructure development. They will work closely with the GNI Communications and Internal Communications teams to ensure alignment with GNI communications as appropriate. They will work closely with the wider Communications team to amplify messaging on social and digital media, internal communications and with key external stakeholders.
The role of the SGER Communications Lead is to inform and support how the general public, customers and stakeholders (community and decision makers) think and feel about the project, ensuring communications are aligned to project need, requirements and objectives. They will create content that helps to shape the story of how the project will safeguard Ireland’s energy security, through marketing, public relations, advertising, social and digital media, and cross functional teamwork.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop and continually maintain an awareness of all statutory obligations regarding communications on infrastructure development
- Ensure that all project communications comply with all statutory obligations regarding communications on infrastructure development
- Responsible for the development and facilitation of meaningful public consultations on infrastructure development, ensuring transparency, efficiency and public involvement in large scale infrastructure developments
- Manage the detailed Communications and Stakeholder Management Plan developed by our external supplier to ensure the strategic management of external stakeholder relationships
- Ensure that internal communications are effectively managed
- Liaise with various internal as well as external stakeholders to manage the day-to-day Project
- Ensure technical communications plans are in place to support the successful delivery of the large-scale strategic project for GNI
- Understand technical subject matter, develop and deliver effective stories, campaigns and content, successfully communicating our work to non-technical audiences
- Attendance at relevant project meetings, including specific communications meetings and monthly meetings as required
- Review project related communications messages and responses at a local and national level as required
- Help ensure that project communications strategies are aligned to the overall Gas Networks Ireland communications and brand strategy and values
- Work with multi-disciplinary teams within the SGER Project Engineering, PMO, Finance, Regulation and Legal
- Reviewing media coverage related to strategic projects
- Work with project managers to understand project and communications risks
- Compile reports and presentations for the SGER project leadership as required
- Provide regular updates and information, including Projects Communications risks and issues
- Liaise with GNI Communications team as required
- Other duties as required from time to time
Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
- Communications professional with at least eight years’ experience across the range of corporate communications activities preferably within a major infrastructure delivery
- At least five years’ experience at senior level, either in an agency or large commercial organisation, including experience of engaging with the top levels within that organisation
- Relevant third level qualification
- Excellent communications skills, with experience of successful negotiations
- Experience with and an understanding of the planning process and preferably experience at taking infrastructure projects through planning processes including oral hearings
- Excellent writing skills with fast turnaround capability
- High level of communication skills to allow effective networking and presentation of highly complex information to diverse groups of stakeholders
- Be capable of managing external suppliers
- Proven track record of achievement in managing complex communications strategies, plans, programmes and issues
- Team player with strong interpersonal skills
- Proven track record of working collaboratively and establishing good working relationships across multiple functions and business areas
- Demonstrate adaptability and the ability to change focus and direction in line with business strategy and requirements
- Proven ability to be able to influence positive outcomes in line with strategic objectives
- Relevant experience in the water industry is desirable
- High level of communication skills to allow effective networking and presentation of highly
complex information to diverse groups of stakeholders
- Excellent stakeholder management skills
Applications, including current Curriculum Vitae, should be emailed to the following address stating the job title and reference number in the subject line of your email: recruit@gasnetworks.ie
The closing date for receipt of applications for this vacancy is the 25th of April 2025.
Please note that applications submitted after this closing date will not be accepted.
Gas Networks Ireland is an equal opportunities employer
We are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive place of work and have a robust strategy and framework called ibelong to enable this. We are an equal opportunity employer and through our recruitment process we welcome and encourage applications from interested and suitably qualified individuals regardless of gender, age, racial or ethnic origin, membership of the traveller community, religion or beliefs, family or civil status, sexual orientation/gender identity or disability.
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