Senior Executive, Drinks Ireland (Specified Purpose Contract)

JOB DETAILS

The Senior Executive, Drinks Ireland works directly with the Director of Drinks Ireland to lead business representation, policy advocacy, and strategic execution across the alcohol beverage sector.

Serving as Director for three dedicated category associations (beer, cider, and wine), the role provides governance, council leadership, and operational oversight.

The Senior Executive drives member engagement and growth, leads representation based on research, event delivery and cross-organisational strategic initiatives.

This role is offered on a specified purpose contract to cover maternity leave.

The closing date for applications will be 16th August 2026.

ABOUT THE ROLE

• Association Management and Governance
• Support and implement the strategy and objectives of Drinks Ireland and its beer, cider, and wine category associations.
• Drive targeted initiatives as agreed by category councils and the Drinks Ireland Board.
• Act in a secretariat capacity for category councils and working groups, maintaining governance standards, preparing papers and minutes, and tracking action plans.
• Support the delivery of the broader Drinks Ireland work programme in agreement with the Director.
• Member Services and Relations
• Deliver tailored member services, including training, networking, and sector events.
• Lead event design and logistics management for strategic briefings, workshops, and annual conferences.
• Execute a membership development programme focused on recruiting and retaining smaller and new-entrant companies.
• Conduct member consultations and build strong relationships with CEOs, managing directors, and senior industry executives.
• Representation, Lobbying and Advocacy
• Represent Drinks Ireland and its category associations at domestic and EU levels as agreed with the Director.
• Execute category-specific work programmes aligned with council priorities and sector strategy.
• Build and maintain working relationships with policy makers across government departments and state agencies.
• Identify strategic opportunities for lobbying, stakeholder alignment, and policy representation to raise the sector's profile and economic contribution.
• Monitor political, legislative, regulatory, market, and social developments to recommend strategic actions.
• Policy Research, Data Analysis and Insight
• Deliver robust policy research, data analysis, and market updates to the sector, producing major reports where appropriate.
• Review draft legislation, regulatory consultation papers, and research papers to prepare policy submissions and structured feedback.
• Represent Drinks Ireland on internal and external working groups and committees, providing progress reports and data-driven insights.
• Communications, Public Affairs and Media
• Manage public relations and public affairs programmes in conjunction with the Director.
• Translate complex policy issues into clear messaging, serving as a confident spokesperson across national and regional media when required.
• Support Drinks Ireland's communication strategy, including oversight of digital channels, websites, and social media platforms.
• Financial Management
• Manage operational budgets effectively, achieve revenue targets, and drive commercial growth through members.
• Embed sustainable performance, corporate responsibility, and long-term value creation across sector initiatives.
• Strategic Alignment & Organisational Collaboration
• Work towards the delivery of Ibec’s strategy as identified by the Director of Drinks Ireland.

NOTE: This list is not exhaustive but serves to reflect the nature of the duties included in the role.

Given the nature of the organisation and the need to respond to members’ needs on an ongoing basis, the role is subject to change over time.

ABOUT YOU

Qualifications, Experience & Knowledge

• Primary degree in business, public policy, communications, law, or a related discipline; relevant postgraduate qualifications preferred.
• Ideally 5 years of post-graduate professional experience in policy research, public affairs, industry representation, or association management.
• Proven experience working with boards, committees, or industry working groups.
• Deep understanding of the commercial, regulatory, legal, and competitive business issues facing the alcohol beverage sector in Ireland, the EU, and globally, specifically across the beer, cider, and wine sectors.
• Competencies
• Strategic Policy & Advocacy: Policy research, legislative and regulatory analysis, lobbying, and strategic stakeholder alignment.
• Executive & Association Governance: Stakeholder relationship management, council leadership, committee facilitation, and secretariat operations.
• Environmental Intelligence & Sustainability: Market horizon scanning, policy trend analysis, sustainable performance, and long-term value creation.
• Operational Execution & Engagement: Project management, member consultations, event design andlogistics, and multi-channel communications.
• Leadership & Professional Standards: Public and media representation, negotiation, continuous improvement, inclusive practices, and core integrity.

Why us?

• Ibec Core Competencies
• Bias towards action
• Collaborative – work together as ‘one Ibec’.
• Dynamic – approach initiatives with careful planning, energy, drive, and resilience.
• Decisive – make clear, well-informed decisions.
• Member and Customer Focus
• Agile and Adaptive – embrace change and be adaptive to members’ needs and in ambitious situations.
• Creative and Innovative – not afraid of dynamic thinking in finding solutions.
• Curious and Critical Thinking – open minded and proactive in gathering data in developing opinions.
• Drive and Personal Leadership
• Ambitious – driven and can take responsible risks.
• Accountable – committed to highest standards and takes ownership of actions.
• Continuous Improvement – proactive on personal and professional development

Ibec is an equal opportunity, and inclusive employer is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for potential and existing employees with a disability.

Should you wish to request a reasonable accommodation please email Dearbhla.

Rice@ibec. ie

About us

Working in Ibec

Join Ibec and further your career.

Working in Ibec means you are part of an overall effort to deliver on a vision for Ireland to be a balanced, growing and prosperous society.

We look to the workplace of the future with the changing needs of our members as well as our workforce to create a dynamic and exciting working environment.

We hire people from many backgrounds who are highly knowledgeable, engaging, professional and, most importantly, passionate about business.