We’re hiring: Head of strategic communications (client Director)

‍HEAD OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS (CLIENT DIRECTOR)

Experience: Min 7+ years

Area: Strategic Communications / Corporate Affairs / Stakeholder Relations

‍Salary: £55,000 - £60,000

‍Based: Belfast City Centre

‍About Brown O’Connor | Ireland

Brown O’Connor is one of Ireland’s most trusted and respected public affairs, stakeholder relations and strategic communications advisory firms. We operate from a vibrant central Belfast office and have recently expanded with a new Dublin base, reflecting our continued growth across the island.

We advise organisations navigating complex reputational, regulatory, political and commercial environments. Our clients include major corporates, professional services firms, healthcare organisations, trade associations, regulators, public bodies and third-sector organisations.

We specialise in strategic communications, corporate reputation management, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, issues management and crisis communications. Our work has been recognised through multiple industry awards, including CIPR Consultancy of the Year, CIPR Best Public Affairs Campaign and Belfast Chamber Communications Excellence Award.

‍As our business continues to grow, we are seeking an ambitious and commercially-minded Head of Strategic Communications (Client Director) to lead major client relationships, provide senior strategic counsel and support the continued growth of the agency.

We are trusted advisors based on our:

‍Extensive experience working for high-profile, public facing organisations and delivering our services on a range of sensitive issues.

Credibility through the people who make up our team and the approach they take.

Clients who provide endorsement on the reliability and professionalism of our work.

‍Our Locations

‍Our central office is based in Belfast City Centre with an office in Dublin City Centre, managing clients based in Northern Ireland, Dublin and London.

‍Our Specialist Areas

‍We are highly regarded for our specialist Public Affairs and Corporate and Strategic Communications services which includes Crisis Communications, Property and Planning Communications, Litigation Communications, Event Management, Political Monitoring and Communication Strategy Development. 

‍Our Clients

‍Our consultants work across a range of areas including legal, commercial, financial, healthcare, industrial, financial technology, manufacturing, public inquiries, regulators, commissions, non-departmental public bodies and the third sector.

‍Our Approach and Company Culture

‍The success of Brown O’Connor | Ireland is based on the performance of its people.

Our rigorous approach delivers positive outcomes for our clients, and we go out of our way to ensure success.

We deliver excellence in all that we do and our team is accountable and responsible for all activity they undertake.

‍What we offer

‍Business development bonus scheme

A dynamic working environment working with significant clients

‍22 days annual leave and 11 public holidays

‍Flexible working 1 day per week (Friday)

Extra day annual leave for Birthday

‍Paid annual CIPR Membership

‍Training opportunities

Mobile phone allowance

Strategic Leadership

Proven client handling skills with experience in managing large accounts, providing proactive strategic advice and great ideas.

‍Ability to manage a high level of client interaction and be able to design and implement strategies.

‍Be a confident leader and credible adviser to command confidence of your teams and clients.

‍A detailed working knowledge of healthcare policy and a cultured network of relationships with policy formers, journalists and stakeholders in Northern Ireland. 

‍Day to Day Delivery

‍Proven ability to work in a fast paced, often pressurised, outcome orientated environment.

‍Experience in the drafting of media materials that relate to matters such as financial results, senior appointments, mergers and acquisitions, redundancy notifications, investment announcements, holding statements and general business issues.

‍Ability to synthesize complex business issues and communicate to a wider range of audiences, often under deadline.

‍Manage an entire range of suppliers such as photographers, graphic designers, videographers, economists and sectoral experts integral to the successful delivery of client activity campaigns.

‍Manage corporate communications and public awareness campaigns integrating various methods to create significant public interest.

‍Proven ability to curate engaging social media content across multiple platforms.

‍Forward plan to ensure smooth running of client campaigns on time, and within budget.

People Management

‍Line management duties with managers and executive members of team.

‍Understanding the requirement to work efficiently and profitably.

‍Manage team members on client accounts to ensure work is carried out successfully and within allocated budgets.

‍Work as a team player with Brown O’Connor colleagues to ensure success across client accounts.

‍Deliver outcomes for clients and work to raise their profile in the media and with key stakeholders in a positive way.

New Business Development

‍Take a leading role in new business development and organic growth opportunities alongside company directors and be comfortable in pitching and proposal development.

‍Supporting successful tender writing from start to submission.

Experience in identifying and converting new business opportunities.

‍Criteria

‍7+ years working in the areas of Corporate /  Strategic Communications / Public Affairs.

‍Third Level Degree or equivalent in the preferred areas of Communications, Law, Politics, Journalism, Business, Social Sciences or Humanities.  

‍Possess strong writing and editing skills with the ability to write attention-grabbing media material, client correspondence and reports.

‍An excellent communicator both written and oral.

‍Commercially and politically aware.

‍Outstanding organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects at the same time.

‍Strong initiative, leadership skills and work ethic.

‍Ability to hustle to make things happen.

‍Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required by client and other activity. 

‍Must have clean driving licence and access to a car.

‍Desirable Criteria

‍Consultancy background or experience in a client facing role.

‍How to Apply

‍To apply in strict confidence, please send your detailed CV, covering email and the completed response to the set question below, by email, to Brown O’Connor at hello@brownoconnor.com by 5pm Thursday 1st October 2026.

‍QUESTION: Please outline, with examples, how you meet the Criteria as outlined in the Job Specification (Word Limit 300).

Please state your name and ‘BOC Client Director’ in the subject line.

Application Process

Initial shortlisting

Two stage interview