PR & Media Manager

The PR & Media Manager is responsible for the day-to-day delivery of Connacht Rugby's public relations, media and communications strategy, helping to drive positive media coverage, strengthen the organisation's reputation, support commercial objectives and enhance engagement with supporters, sponsors, governing bodies, players and the wider rugby community. The role sits within the Commercial & Marketing function and involves close working relationships with the CEO, the Head of Commercial & Marketing, head coaches and the wider playing squads of the Men's and Women's senior teams. The post requires frequent weekend work and domestic and international travel throughout the playing season.

• Act as the club's key contact for all media and PR matters, building effective working relationships with regional, national and international journalists and media outlets.
• Organise and manage press conferences, media events, interview requests and media briefings.
• Ensure effective monitoring is in place and that media results are logged, analysed and summarised for the Senior Leadership Team regularly.
• Develop and implement a proactive annual PR and media plan and manage the club's PR activity across all media channels.
• Promote the profile and reputation of Connacht Rugby by engaging effectively with all stakeholders, maintaining consistent messaging and brand positioning across all communications.
• Support executive leadership with communication planning and key messaging.
• Brief and prepare coaching staff and players for media duties, including broadcast interviews, press conferences and media training.
• Develop compelling player, coach and organisational stories that support brand growth and fan engagement, and work with the wider Commercial & Marketing team to help meet the commercial needs of the club.
• Implement a Tone of Voice guide for the club in conjunction with the Senior Brand & Marketing Manager, updating it where required.
• Identify and leverage storytelling opportunities across rugby, community, academy, women's and commercial programmes, and contribute to content planning and campaign activation around key fixtures, commercial partnerships and organisational milestones.
• Organise and produce compelling content for distribution across all owned channels when necessary.
• Manage all aspects of the club's media obligations for home match days, including accreditation, interview requests, broadcast requirements, press conferences and mixed-zone interviews.
• Ensure professional delivery of media services, compliance with competition regulations and fulfilment of the club's media obligations for away matches.
• Lead crisis and issue management communications in coordination with senior leadership, and support communications with sponsors, governing bodies, community partners and key stakeholders.
• Carry out other duties as assigned by the Head of Commercial & Marketing from time to time.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• Well-developed time-management skills, including the ability to set and meet deadlines in a fast-paced sporting environment.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work alone and as part of a team.
• Understanding of sports governance and commercial partnership activation.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in communications, media, PR or a related field.
• A minimum of five years' relevant PR and media experience.
• A proven history of content development and capture.
• Proven relationship-building and people-management skills.
• Advanced experience and relationships in the Irish media industry.
• Knowledge of rugby in Ireland and its structures.
• Full driving licence and access to own transport.

• Hybrid working model, with a requirement to be in the office at least three days a week; flexibility is necessary and further days in the office may be required.
• Expected to work at all Connacht Rugby fixtures, with frequent weekend work throughout the playing season.
• Domestic and international travel throughout the playing season.