Research Communications Manager (Health Sciences)

Trinity College Dublin

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, national and international research funding providers and of the issues, opportunities and challenges facing researchers in research intensive universities in Ireland - essential
• Deep familiarity with the research of the Faculty and of the wider University, along with its strategic aims as set out in the Strategic Plan; Public Affairs and Communications Strategy; and Trinity’s Living Research Excellence Strategy
•  Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, e-mail and the web - essential

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years’ work experience in a relevant role in communications or journalism, and preferably in higher education
• Proven success in securing media coverage for research stories across a range of media (national and international)
• Extensive experience working with and/or in media
• Proven experience developing and delivering strategic communication plans
• Proven experience in designing and delivering communications training
• Proven experience of working in a fast-paced environment and delivering to tight deadlines, often without direction
• Proven history of building relationships in a large organisation and doing the same with external stakeholders
• Proven experience in influencing senior leaders and researchers in responding to media requests and advising responses in sometimes difficult situations

Skills

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with excellent attention to detail
• Outstanding planning skills, with a high level of influencing and negotiation
• Outstanding relationship building skills
• Excellent presentation skills, with the ability to develop and deliver training
• Excellent diplomacy, to handle all interactions tactfully; manage expectations realistically, and maintain positive relationships at all times
• Outstanding time management skills; able to manage a varied and diverse workload with competing demands and make rapid decisions to accurately assess and mitigate risks and seize opportunities in a highly time-sensitive environment.
• Proficient computer skills with a high-level of competency in MS Office packages; skills in using media monitoring and PR distribution platforms to analyse the effectiveness of communications efforts would be an advantage
• Excellent video and other multimedia content creation skills are important, with the ability to use editing software an advantage

Personal attributes:

• A confident communicator in many registers, comfortable with interacting with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, and especially with media representatives
• Exceptional interpersonal manner, with the ability to build effective relationships with a diverse range of partners and stakeholders both internally and externally
• A decision-maker with sound, strategic judgement in sensitive and complex scenarios that often appear unforeseen and at short notice
• A news-driven sensibility – alert to breaking news, opportunities and emerging risks
• Comfortable with a lack of routine and a large number of tasks at any one time
• An ability to think creatively to create uniquely engaging content, tell stories to a wide audience, and add impact to projects that require creative delivery
• Flexible regarding work patterns – this role sometimes requires working outside normal working hours, including at weekends and over public holidays
• Ability to demonstrate extreme diplomacy as discretion and respect are required in managing issues and relationships
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity and confidentiality with information that is shared

Trinity Competencies

In Trinity there are 6 Core Competencies that are applicable to all roles across a range of professional, administrative and support jobs, unlike specialist or technical skills which may be job specific. They provide a common language for describing performance and the abilities/attributes displayed by individuals. They focus on ‘how’ tasks are achieved, not ‘what’ is achieved.

Below is a summary definition of the 6 Core Competencies.

Competency Summary Definition

1 Agile Leader
Sees the big picture and harnesses opportunities to achieve the University’s goals. Creates clear direction for the future and how to get there.

2 Unlocks Potential
Energised, capable and confident to take ownership and responsibility for their development and goals. Motivates, supports and develops people to perform to the best of their ability.

3 Service Ethos
Finds ways to increase stakeholder and customer satisfaction. Builds relationships, is proactive and delivery focused in order to anticipate, meet & exceed expectations.

4 Builds Trusted Relationships
Communicates in a clear and respectful manner building trust and commitment for mutually beneficial outcomes.

5 Decision-making
Confidently makes timely decisions based on knowledge, evidence and sound judgement.

6 Achieves Results
Delivers results by setting direction, planning, executing and evaluating impact.

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