Community Engagement Manager

Contract: 2-year part-time contract – 2 days per week.

Salary: The salary range for this position is €43,000 - €54,000 (Pro-rata) - depending on experience.

Other benefits: Hybrid and flexible working options, 24 days annual leave (pro-rata), bike to work scheme, enhanced sick pay, IFI Film Shop & Cafe Bar discounts, local business discounts, free cinema tickets, pension scheme.

Overview of the IFI

The Irish Film Institute is Ireland’s national cultural institution for film. At the IFI’s historic home in Eustace Street, Temple Bar, our diverse audiences, and loyal members enjoy our 3 Cinemas, IFI Irish Film Archive’s research and access facilities, IFI Film Shop and IFI Café Bar; and our four digital streaming platforms, IFI@Home, IFI Archive Player, IFI@Schools and IFI International. The IFI has developed strategic objectives around three core activities

• EXHIBIT: Providing audiences throughout Ireland with access to the finest independent, Irish, and international cinema.

• PRESERVE: Preserving and promoting Ireland’s moving image heritage through the IFI Irish Film Archive.

• EDUCATE: Providing opportunities for audiences of all ages and backgrounds to learn and critically engage with film through IFI Education

Working at the IFI means an opportunity to be dynamic, creative, and part of a community that is passionate about what they do and values mutual trust and respect. Our values reflect what is important to us at the IFI. They guide our efforts, define our culture, and shape the way we approach our core activities – Exhibit, Preserve and Educate.

Role Purpose

The Community Engagement Manager will lead the development and delivery of a dynamic, inclusive and sustainable community engagement strategy across the organisation. This role is central to strengthening relationships with diverse communities, increasing access to film culture, and ensuring that the organisation is welcoming, representative and relevant to all audiences. The postholder will play a key role in embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across public-facing activity, aligning with organisational commitments to accessibility, representation and equity. The Community Engagement Manager will be a knowledgeable and passionate advocate for the value of film and the arts as tools for education, creativity, inclusion and community connection. They will work to ensure that people from all backgrounds can access and participate in and shape the organisation’s activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a Community Engagement Strategy in collaboration with senior leadership and key departments ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.

• Deliver on community aspects of the IFI EDI Action Plan, and to contribute to other organisational EDI initiatives.

• Identify priority communities, including underrepresented and marginalised groups.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local community groups, grassroots organisations, educational institutions, advocacy and representative bodies and establish ongoing collaboration models.

• Act as the organisation’s key point of contact for community partners.

• Work with the programming teams to design and deliver inclusive programmes such as community screenings, workshops and talks.

• Support programming teams to source and showcase diverse voices and filmmakers and develop targeted audience initiatives.

• Develop productive and collaborative relationships with artists and creative practitioners, ensuring projects align with organisational values and strategic objectives.

• Facilitate community-led programming opportunities.

• Identify and address barriers to engagement.

• Ensure all community engagement activities are delivered in accordance with the organisation’s safeguarding, child protection and vulnerable adult policies. Work closely with the Designated Liaison Person to identify and manage safeguarding risks associated with outreach, education and community engagement activities.

• Develop initiatives such and targeted outreach campaigns to increase participation from underrepresented audiences.

• Organise community forums, consultations and feedback sessions.

• Gather insights to inform programming and organisational decision-making.

• Ensure community perspectives are embedded into future planning.

• Work closely with programming teams, education department, archive team and marketing to ensure a joined-up approach to engagement across all public activity.

• Develop KPIs and evaluation frameworks, including number of partnerships, audience diversity metrics, engagement levels and participation.

• Identify opportunities for funding, sponsorship and partnership support to expand community engagement and outreach activity and contribute to funding applications as required.

• Participate in the IFI EDI Working Group.

• Track and report on impact, contributing to organisational reporting.

• Work with HR to champion inclusive practice across the organisation.

• Support staff understanding of community engagement and EDI principles.

• Contribute to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all visitors.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Experience in community engagement, outreach, or audience development.

• Experience working in arts, film, cultural or non-profit sector.

• Proven track record of building partnerships with community organisations.

• Experience designing and delivering inclusive programmes.

• Strong understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion principles.

• Knowledge of barriers to cultural participation and how to address them.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Ability to build trust and establish effective relationships with diverse communities and stakeholders.

• Project management and organisational skills.

• Ability to work cross-functionally in a complex organisation.

Desirable

• Qualification in EDI related subject.

• Knowledge of film, cinema exhibition or archive work.

• Experience working with education or youth programmes.

• Experience working with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults in a community or educational setting and knowledge of organisational safeguarding checks and vetting procedures.

• Experience collaborating with artists, filmmakers, creative practitioners or freelance facilitators.

• Experience with funding applications or partnership funding.

• Experience evaluating social impact or community programmes.

Additional Information

Occasional evening and weekend work required. Role may involve off-site outreach work.

All applications will be treated as strictly confidential. The IFI is an Equal Opportunities Employer, and we welcome applications from all communities. Should you require assistance in any part of your application process, please do not hesitate to get in touch, and all reasonable efforts will be made to facilitate your application journey.

IFI is principally funded by the Arts Council.