Manager, Product Development

(Festivals and Events)

LEVEL 3

Permanent, Full-Time

Closing Date: Wednesday 2nd April at 3pm

Fáilte Ireland invites applications for the position of Manager, Product Development (Festivals and Events). The role will report to the Head of Festivals.

Location: Áras Fáilte, 88-95 Amiens Street, Dublin 1, D01 WR86.

Job Purpose

To manage and influence the development and implementation of strategic tourism development initiatives aligned to Fáilte Ireland's organisational strategy, with a focus on the enhancement and development of a portfolio of key festivals and events that support the economic and social contribution of tourism to Ireland and ultimately driving demand and revenue growth.

Job Description

Primary Objectives - Your Responsibilities

Product Development

Strategic

• Contribute to the development and implementation of creative and innovative strategies for the development of festivals and events in Ireland to deliver on Fáilte Ireland's objectives.
• Collaborate across the product development directorate on the design and implementation of festival and event investment schemes to ensure they deliver quality tourism projects that will meet the objectives of Fáilte Ireland's strategic priorities.
• Manage a portfolio of festivals and events that will deliver exceptional and inclusive visitor experiences that meet the expectations of visitors, support a positive economic contribution to the host destination, and deliver a positive return on investment.
• Actively work with grant-aided projects to shape and mould the project into a better tourism visitor experience that is 'best in class'. Collate and manage acquired knowledge and learning in relation to tourism infrastructure, experience development, innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable tourism development.
• Work with colleagues in other business units across the matrix.
• Manage the implementation of investment schemes and report on economic impact.
• Implement the annual operational plan delivering all growth targets.
• Develop subject matter expertise as it pertains to festivals and events and actively seek market knowledge from internal and external sources to inform business planning and strategy.
• Undertake post-event evaluations and incorporate learnings into future plans and activity.
• Take the learnings from specialist research in Festivals and Events and disseminate in an appropriate manner to colleagues and key stakeholders.
• Display initiative and innovation.

Stakeholder - Relationship Management

• Evidence of good stakeholder relationships to achieve organisation and programme objectives.
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders such as local authorities, public agencies, festival and event organisers, and tourism industry partners to collectively deliver agreed plans and objectives.
• Manage delivery of festivals and stakeholders' engagement plans including communication mapping and CRM integration. Present to stakeholders and industry where required.
• Provide regular feedback from stakeholders to our organisation.
• Build robust working relationships and networks with key cultural organisations and public bodies to identify synergy projects and maximise collective investment.
• Provide support and guidance to festival organisers through a programme of upskilling and information-sharing events and workshops.
• Develop and maintain positive and effective relationships with internal colleagues across the matrix to deliver on the annual operational plans and achieve organisation objectives and priorities.

Resource Management

• Guide and support direct reports and team colleagues to perform to the best of their ability individually and collectively within the team to meet predetermined objectives.
• Set clear goals and KPIs for the team that are aligned to the corporate strategy and annual operational plans.
• Conduct Performance Reviews in line with Fáilte Ireland policy.
• Monitor the deployment of resources to ensure optimal outcomes for your team.
• Manage all staff reporting to the position, support and motivate them to maximise their development potential in line with Fáilte Ireland's personal development policy.
• Proactively develop collaborative working across the project teams to deliver agreed projects and KPIs.
• Continually strive to achieve team targets for the Great Places to Work programme.

Governance - Reporting and Budget Management

• Comply with all aspects of organisation policy and programme management. Promote good governance amongst direct reports and divisional colleagues.
• Contribute to Divisional planning and reports.
• Ensure that project metrics and updates are available in an agreed format and on time for Executive Team and Authority reports.
• Ensure all projects are delivered on time and on budget.
• Respond to information requests from the industry, their representative bodies, government departments, local authorities, and the public.
• Record, produce, and distribute actions of meetings where required.
• Ensure that procurement of work from a third party is implemented in line with Fáilte Ireland procurement policy.
• Carry out all other duties as required and participate as a full member of the Festivals and Events Team by supporting different work projects, as required, from time to time.

This role requires you to travel, with attendance at a number of national and regional locations and sites on an annual basis.

This role will require working unsocial hours including bank holidays with regular attendance at Dublin-based divisional and project meetings.

The flexibility to travel domestically, and on occasion internationally, is an element of this role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills including the ability to relate well to people on all levels and to encourage and motivate direct reports.
• Ability to think critically and creatively while understanding the risks involved for all parties.
• Previous experience and understanding of implementing investment schemes.
• Proven delivery of key strategic projects or key milestones within projects in the last 5 years.
• Results-oriented with a demonstrable ability to manage and execute multiple tasks within dynamic timeframes and deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative whilst contributing as a member of a team.
• To be personally well organized with evidence of good planning skills and the ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines.

In order to be eligible to apply for this role you must have / demonstrate in your application form the following:

• Three years relevant experience in a development role that includes strategic projects and people management.
• Evidence of stakeholder engagement with public bodies at a management level to deliver projects.
• Demonstrate strong project management skills in delivering on projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Proven track record in the effective management of budgets. Evidence of leveraging external sources of funding for the purposes of product development.
• Access to your own means of transport.

Qualifications - Mandatory Training

A professional qualification (minimum Level 6 under the QQI Framework) in a related discipline is essential.

Desirable Criteria

• Proven knowledge of the tourism landscape in Ireland.
• Proven track record in tourism festival development projects.
• Experience working with both public and private stakeholders and an understanding of their operating models.
• Trend analysis in global tourism and international tourism marketing.
• Demonstrate innovative and creative problem-solving solutions.
• Demonstrate an understanding of sustainable development in previous work experience.

Key Competencies

1. Project Management
2. Managing Relationships
3. Strategic Thinking
4. Decision Making

Selection Process

Shortlisting will be based on applications and the selection process may involve two competency-based interviews. A panel of successful candidates may be formed following the selection process.

Fáilte Ireland is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace which values and benefits from the diversity of the workforce. We encourage you to reach out to us directly at recruitment@failteireland.ie