Current vacancies in irish racing industry

DEPARTMENT: Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)

SALARY: £37,619 - £39,810 (under review)

LOCATION: Enniskillen campus and, if necessary, in other DAERA locations across Northern Ireland.

Further appointments may be made from this competition should NICS positions become vacant which require the same eligibility criteria and have similar duties and responsibilities

For more detailed information, including the duties and responsibilities of the post, and the criteria to be used during the recruitment and selection process, please click on the Candidate Information Booklet link below.

In order to apply for this position, please click on the “Apply for this job online” link below to register to this vacancy and to submit an online application.

Completed application forms must be submitted no later than 12:00 noon (UK time) on Friday 21st March 2025.

Applications from males, young people (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minority ethnic communities are particularly welcomed for this post

The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

As part of our commitment to equality of opportunity we offer a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) for disabled applicants. Further information can be found in the Candidate Information Booklet.

ALL APPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT ARE CONSIDERED STRICTLY ON THE BASIS OF MERIT.

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Marketing Executive to join Horse Racing Ireland’s (HRI) Ownership Department.

The successful applicant will be required to represent the Ownership Department and Horse Racing Ireland to the highest standards in all dealings with owners ensuring the needs of the owner as the customer are at the heart of all activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work with the ownership team and relevant agencies to develop, implement and analyse digital and traditional marketing campaigns in line with HRI and Ownership Strategy.
• Deliver focused marketing campaigns within budget to grow awareness, encourage engagement and consideration. 
• Develop and implement a social media strategy and manage the day-to-day running of social media channels including content creation and reporting.
• Write copy and issue email marketing communications on a regular basis
• Work with the team to develop the Ownership CRM strategy and to drive engagement and improve the customer experience.
• Manage website ensuring all content is up to date, this will require SEO and CMS understanding to improve search rankings, optimise content, and analyse user engagement.
• Help create and deliver ownership events including owner race days, trainer days and non-race day events. 
• Track KPIs and performance against targets.
• Manage customer enquiries and ensure a high level of customer service.
• Ensure that all daily administrative tasks are carried out in a timely and professional manner.
• Assist in the management and implementation of the marketing budget and other aspects of the budget as needed.
• Liaise with all relevant stakeholders as required – internal teams, racecourses, AIR, AIRO etc always being mindful of the owner as the customer and having customer needs at the forefront of all activities.
• Build sustainable relationships internally and externally through open and interactive communications.
• Any other duties within your capabilities and as assigned by your line manager.

Skills and Experience:

• A relevant third level qualification in marketing, media or equivalent
• Previous experience (2-3 years) in a similar customer facing role, demonstrating excellent customer support skills, event management experience and an ability to build good relationships
• Strong passion for and understanding of social media with a proven track record implementing digital and traditional marketing campaigns and content creation
• Previous experience managing websites, SEO and analytics.
• An understanding of CRM fundamentals and CRM tools (Microsoft Dynamics 365) advantageous in this role
• An understanding of and an interest in the racing industry
• Team player with excellent communication and interpersonal skills along with first rate organisational and administrative skills and attention to detail
• Fully proficient with Microsoft Office applications and strong on the use of systems/databases.
• Ability to use Adobe Suite or Canva is an advantage.
• The ability to multitask while providing excellent customer service and support to the department and externally
• As racing is a seven-day business, flexibility in relation to working hours is required

KEY CAPABILITIES

Customer Focus

•      Creates an environment where the team is empowered to put the customer first.

•      Supports the team in managing their workload to ensure customer needs are met.

•      Role models customer focus and drives and develops customer focused initiatives.

•      Ensures customer satisfaction is a priority.

Developing Self

•      Is self-aware and proactively seeks feedback, using it for personal and professional development.

•      Role models development by developing themselves and others.

•      Reflects on behaviour, adapting approach to different situations.

•      Is open to new ideas, drives continuous improvement with team and across the business.

Energy & Pace

•      Sets and delivers against SMART objectives for their area/team.

•      Is accountable and delivers sustainable results, using resources effectively.

•      Understands the wider business and its goals, onward communicates this to team.

•      Empowers others to deliver their goals and projects with energy and pace.

•      Is a flexible and adaptable to the needs of the business and delivers accordingly.

Innovation & Change

•      Reviews processes and ways of working always striving for best practice and improving industry standards.

•      Is creative and innovative and supports others to develop opportunities for creative thinking and innovation.

•      Looks for innovative ways to provide a better service to our stakeholders.

•      Implements change in a supportive, reassuring way, bringing ours on the journey with them.

Leadership

•      Motivates and empowers others through a ‘can do’ approach.

•      Understands strategic intent and aligns objectives and messages accordingly.

•      Role models leadership and our core values.

•      Develops, motivates and inspires others.

Team

•      Creates team environments where everyone contributes to the team objectives and is stretched accordingly.

•      Ensures productive and positive communication is taking place across all teams.

•      Harnesses team capability to ensure teams are performing to a high standard.

HRI places a strong emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and equality at all levels of the organisation. Any candidate who requires reasonable accommodations at any stage of the selection competition should indicate their requirements. Any queries in relation to any disability or other issue which may be addressed through making such reasonable accommodations can be addressed to careers@hri or telephone +353 (45) 455455. Appointment to this role is subject to the candidate’s eligibility to work in Ireland. HRI is an equal opportunities employer.