Director of Public Policy and Advocacy

Role: Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Employer: The Wheel Full-Time, Hybrid (Dublin) Closing date: 18 March 2025 at 5pm The Wheel has a unique leadership vacancy at the senior management level in an organisation that provides leadership for a whole nonprofit sector. About The Wheel The Wheel is Irelands national association of community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises. We are a registered charity in Ireland and are unique in our role as a one-stop- shop for anything related to the charity and non-profit sector. We are an authoritative and trusted voice for the sector, and we are enthusiastically committed to transparency, accountability, and the highest standards of practice and governance. Together, we work to ensure that the sector is recognised and respected, adequately resourced and appropriately regulated. The Opportunity We have a unique leadership vacancy at the senior management level in an organisation that provides leadership for a whole sector. The ideal candidate will be highly experienced in developing and implementing public policy and strategy. They will be comfortable using their expertise as the basis for engaging with members, regulators and public policy-makers to advance The Wheels strategic objectives. By joining The Wheel as one of our team, you will become part of a movement of people and organisations who believe that by working together we can shape Irelands future. The Role Position: Director of Policy & Advocacy Location: Dublin (& hybrid) Reports To: Chief Executive Officer Line Manager For: Policy, membership engagement and Campaigns teams ROLE PURPOSE: Reporting to the CEO, the Director of Public Policy & Advocacy provides strategic leadership and direction to The Wheel across its work, with a particular focus on public policy, campaigns and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders including members, and policymakers influencing change at both national and local levels. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, we would expect the post holder to bring a blend of strong communication, people and leadership skills. They will also have the strategic and relationship management expertise to manage a dynamic and complex environment involving a range of stakeholders both internal and external to The Wheel. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: The Director of Public Policy & Advocacy will work alongside the CEO, and other Directors and managers contributing to the general direction and management of the work of The Wheel. The post holder will be expected to develop and maintain positive professional relationships with colleagues, board and subgroup members and a range of external stakeholders, commercial and other organisations including community and voluntary organisations in pursuit of the interests of The Wheel. As The Wheel is a membership organisation all post-holders are expected to provide leadership and support to members. MAIN responsibilities & DUTIES: Develop and maintain general public-policy expertise on all significant issues relating to the community and voluntary sector in Ireland and participate in structures and processes such as the Community and Voluntary Pillar, the National Economic Dialogue and pre-budget processes/campaigns. Represent The Wheel as and when required in external stakeholder engagement processes Direct and support the work of the campaigns, member/policy engagement and other functions, managing the team, and coordinating the production of annual plans including by Supporting any programmes of research on sector priority issues. Supporting the development of a dynamic and responsive member-engagement offering, leading and participating as required in member policy forums and other modes of engagement Supporting the identification of campaign themes and the development and roll out of compelling and engaging campaigns Oversee and organise the production of regular policy-related communications (including an engaging policy section of the website) to members, stakeholders and the media and act as deputy spokesperson as and when required. Coordinate the work of the Policy and advocacy Subcommittee of the Board Work with directors and managers to maintain cohesion in public-policy work across the organisation Support the CEO in advancing public policy and public affairs objectives/work generally and in developing and maintaining contacts with politicians and the political system in general. Leadership Influencing and offering strategic advice and support to The Wheel members, board of directors and relevant sector wide Committees. Lead and support the representation of The Wheel in various public policy spaces and support the development of relationships with sector leaders As a member of the senior Leadership team, proactively support the achievement of The Wheels mission, and implementation of the organisations strategy. Lead and support an engaged high-performance team across all assigned staff and contractors in accordance with The Wheels HR strategy, values, and culture. PERSON SPECIFICATION Experience Track record of managing multiple streams of work with strong planning and organisational skills. Experienced people manager. Experience within a not-for-profit environment would be advantageous. Political acumen, sound judgement and a strategic mind-set and a good understanding of the Experience in representational, public policy, public affairs and advocacy would be advantageous importance of the sector and The Wheels role in the sector Education, Qualifications & Training Relevant third level qualification Behavioural Competencies The Wheel uses a Behavioural Competency Framework as a key cornerstone of its performance management processes. The priority behavioural competences identified for this role are: Leadership: Seek and find new approaches and options to reach organisational goals and motivate others towards those goals. Communicates where to with clarity and zest. Creates an inspiring vision of the future and stirs others to join in. Adaptability: Communicates clearly about changes, helps others to understand and to cope, anticipates and handles resistance appropriately. Involves others early, creates shared views and any reasons for changes, balances timing to suit organisational and personal needs. Open, direct embracing of changes and leads by example Collaborative Working: Leads formal and informal teams in a way which values the diversity of experience and opinions and builds a sense of team. Provides encouragement to colleagues after setbacks. Has a natural instinct to work collaboratively and helps others to work collaboratively. Creates a friendly work environment where any conflicts can be resolved amicably, sets up opportunities to work across teams, and speaks positively about working together Quality:Acting as a role model, drives commitment to high quality work and ensures this through quality review processes. Accesses external feedback and disseminates internally. Engages in root cause analysis. Key information about this role: This is a full-time permanent position with The Wheel. The Wheels offices are located in Dublin 2. This contract is for a 36-hour week and salary is payable monthly in arrears. The Wheel both offers and expects flexibility in terms of hours and location of work for a role such as this and the remuneration and benefits package offered reflects this. This role requires the post holder to attend in-person meetings in Dublin and elsewhere on a regular basis. Additionally, the role may require participation in meetings which can occur in the evenings and on weekends. Travel outside of the office is reimbursed according to our expenses policy. The annual gross salary for this role will be in the upper quartile of the range for the Director level posts within The Wheel i.e., €62,990-€85,222, depending on the knowledge and experience of the person who occupies it. The Wheel offers the following benefits in addition to salary: A 6% employers' contribution to a company contributory pension scheme (subject to a 4% employee contribution) Annual Leave of 25 days Closure of the office on Good Friday, Christmas Eve and the entire Christmas / New Year period which comes additional to annual leave entitlement Death in Service benefit of four times salary Further Education / Training and learning investment programme Professional subscriptions (as applicable) Travel (bike-to-work schemes/tax saver commuter tickets) A hybrid working pilot was introduced in May 2022. Blended working will be available to all employees. A complete list of all the terms and conditions will be made available to the candidate offered the role through The Wheel's Staff Handbook. The Wheel is an equal opportunities employer. Shortlisting will apply. Closing date for applications: Tuesday 18 March 2025 at 5pm First interview date: Wednesday 26 March 2025 Second interview date: Monday 31 March 2025 Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Click 'Apply' below.