Director of the Irish Beverage Council

Ibec Ltd

10d

About The Position

The Director of the Irish Beverage Council (IBC) provides leadership, expertise, energy, and support to ensure that IBC membership objectives are identified and achieved through appropriate action plans. The role leads the IBC work programme in line with its strategic vision and action plan, as agreed with the Deputy Director of Food Drink Ireland (FDI), and supports the strategic, operational, and legislative and regulatory needs of members. The Director provides administrative and secretariat support to IBC committees and working groups, monitors relevant policy, regulatory, media, and market developments, and develops relationships with government departments, state agencies, policymakers, and regulators. The role includes domestic and EU-level advocacy and representation, participation in European associations and committees, raising IBC’s profile, and managing media relations in consultation with FDI and the Ibec Press Office. The Director builds relationships with senior executives at member companies and delivers member services, including advice, events, networking, communications, submissions, publications, and reports. The postholder is also an active member of the wider FDI team and may contribute to broader food and drink policy issues and other category associations. Other duties may be agreed with the Deputy Director of FDI, and the role may evolve to respond to members’ needs. The successful candidate will have a relevant primary degree and ideally 5–7 years of relevant postgraduate experience. They will bring knowledge of the food and beverage sector and its policy and regulatory environment, advocacy and communications experience, strong stakeholder and relationship-management abilities, excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to interpret complex information, multitask, and meet tight deadlines. The role requires a flexible, organised, resourceful, goal-oriented approach and availability to travel with a full driver’s licence.

Requirements

Primary degree in a relevant discipline.
Knowledge of business, health, and environmental issues facing the food and beverage sector and its supply chain in Ireland, the EU, and globally.
Knowledge of the Irish, EU, and international policy and regulatory context and its implications for the beverage sector.
Understanding of the roles of national and EU governments and agencies in policymaking and regulation, and of issues shaping legislative and regulatory policy.
Advocacy and communications experience, including interaction with government, regulators, NGOs, and the media.
Experience working in complex environments.
Experience working in a busy, dynamic team environment and comfort taking on varying team roles.
Ability to advocate industry perspectives and positions cogently and persuasively, with demonstrated ability to influence.
Ability to work effectively with a range of stakeholders and manage related complexities.
Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, and networking skills.
Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including public speaking ability.
Ability to review and interpret complex information and present it in summary form.
Ability to multitask, work under pressure, and meet tight deadlines.
Highly organised, with excellent IT skills.
Flexible approach to work; resourceful problem solver; confident, professional, and friendly demeanour; goal-oriented.
Availability to travel and a full driver’s licence.

Nice To Haves

Ideally 5–7 years of relevant postgraduate experience in industry, sustainability, or public affairs/policy.

Responsibilities

Lead an IBC work programme aligned with the council’s strategic vision and action plan, as agreed with the Deputy Director of FDI.
Ensure IBC supports members’ strategic, operational, legislative, and regulatory requirements.
Provide administrative and high-level secretariat services to IBC committees and working groups, and facilitate the development of common positions.
Monitor relevant legislative, regulatory, media, and market developments and recommend action in consultation with the Deputy Director of FDI.
Track and analyse draft legislation, consultation papers, and policy papers.
Develop contacts and relationships with policymakers and regulators in relevant government departments and state agencies.
Deliver domestic and EU-level lobbying and representation activities as agreed with the Deputy Director of FDI.
Participate in European associations and committees, including UNESDA and NMWE.
Identify opportunities to raise IBC’s profile and make recommendations.
Manage IBC media relations in consultation with the Deputy Director of FDI and the Ibec Press Office.
Build and manage relationships with senior executives in member companies.
Deliver member services, including advice, events, and networking.
Maintain communication with member companies, keep them informed, facilitate their input, and produce submissions, publications, and major reports where appropriate.
Contribute actively to the wider FDI team, including work on broader food and drink policy issues and other category associations.
Carry out other duties agreed with the Deputy Director of FDI that are consistent with the purpose of the position.