We are hiring! Events & Campaign Manager – Now taking applications

Events & Campaigns Manager

 The Restaurants Association of Ireland is recruiting for a full-time Events & Campaigns Manager

Overview of the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI)

The Restaurants Association of Ireland is the representative body for the restaurant industry in Ireland. The RAI now represents in excess of 2,000 members, with establishments representing full service restaurants, coffees shops, hotel restaurants, gastro pubs, golf clubs and cookery schools. We also have over 100 trade partners, businesses that are our approved suppliers of products and services for restaurants. The remit of the Restaurants Association of Ireland is to defend and protect the interests of its members.

The RAI is also responsible for running the annual Irish Restaurant Awards, Foodie Destinations, Annual AGM, Conference & Presidents Dinner, Regional branch meetings and partners to some charity events including Dine in the Dark with the NCBI, Tips for Temple Street, One Ireland, the Simon Community Ireland and many others.

Roles & Responsibilities

You will be lead the team manages the Irish Restaurant Awards, Foodie Destinations, lobbying and marketing campaigns. The main duties of the role are as follows;

Irish Restaurant Awards

• Complete Event management and execution of the Regional and National Irish Restaurant Awards
• Formulation of award timelines and event structure around the RAI calendar of events
• Managing the budget, incoming sponsorship fees and event expenditure
• Managing service and venue providers, suppliers, tenders, quotes and contract negotiation, purchase orders and invoice payment
• Developing engaging PR along with the Communications Executive – press releases, photo calls and press launches
• Co-ordinating large quantities of data and nominations information (80000+ nominations in 2017)
• Driving the standards of the Irish Restaurant Awards, improving processes and promoting best practices
• Coordinating of the communication and marketing strategy to RAI members, non-members, nominees, previous winners and followers (direct email, postal mailshot & social media)
• Managing the judging process, criteria, judging panel selection and independent contributing judges
• Relationship management of sponsors and key trade contacts along with the Business Development and Sponsorship Manager
• Creating original content, ensuring sponsor logo placement online and managing the irishrestaurantawards.com website
• Relationship management of media partner, creation of opportunities for dual promotion through consumer/reader offers
• Sourcing suitable and appropriately priced venues, negotiating contracts and working closely with the venue’s in-house events co-ordinator
• Developing a precise running order for each event
• Coordinating all aspects of entertainment including MCs, photographers, bands, photo booths, videographers
• Spearheading the design and production of all print materials incl. posters, booking forms, banners, certs, photo backdrops, presentation menu & finalist programme and ensuring brand consistency at all times
• Management of the Ticket sales process using event management software to collect payments online and maintaining a clear record of attendees for the guest list
• Liaising with the provider of Mystery Guest Inspections, proof reading, submitting queries
• Responding to awards related queries, issues and complaints on a daily basis
• Implementing new cost-saving procedures to the process
• Out-of-office hours at evening awards/events – room setup, registration, event management and take-down

Lobby Campaigns

• Coordinating photo calls, developing creative photography briefs, etc.
• Engaging, recruiting and co-ordinating RAI members across Ireland to generate greater awareness of lobby campaign issues
• Developing and executing the social media strategy to promote campaigns and initiatives
• Content management of company websites and social media channels keepvat9.ie and www.rai.ie

 General Admin

• CRM and database management
• Contributing to all RAI social media platforms and online content
• Managing logistics and national distribution of quarterly mailshots and aligning with current campaigns
• Scheduling diary appointments and itineraries

Skills Required

• 3 years’ experience or more in an event management role
• Degree in Event Management/Business/Marketing related field
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Powerpoint)
• High level of attention to detail
• Friendly and approachable
• Organised
• Driving licence is a plus

Salary – Dependent on experience

If you would like to apply for this position please submit your CV to Kim Leonard via e-mail on

Closing dates for applications is Friday 11^th August 2017