International Media Visits Executive

Tourism continues to be one of Northern Ireland's most recognisable good news stories. Tourism Northern Ireland is responsible for the development of tourism in Northern Ireland, supporting the tourism industry and for marketing the region as a tourist destination. As a non-departmental public body of the Department for the Economy, the organisation works closely with other tourism bodies to help develop the visitor economy. In 2023, almost two million overseas visitors chose to visit Northern Ireland, generating £1.2 billion in tourism expenditure. Around 70,000 people work in the industry, which accounts for nine per cent of all jobs in Northern Ireland. In addition, more than 70% of the jobs are located outside of the Belfast area, playing a critical role in breathing life into cities, towns and villages.

Going forward, the tourism sector is well placed to deliver a more sustainable, more productive, regionally balanced economy which can deliver good jobs. Tourists increasingly want to engage with real life experiences which give them a sense of the culture and heritage of the places they are visiting, and Northern Ireland has that in abundance. Across the North, there has been an unprecedented growth in authentic, local tourism experiences which give visitors the opportunity to explore the local way of life and engage with local people. Tourism NI's consumer brand Embrace a Giant Spirit continues to go from strength to strength, encapsulating the spirit of the people, the warmth of the welcome and the authenticity of the visitor experience.

Tourism NI is also closely involved in the tourism elements of the City and Growth Deal Programmes which will be crucial in helping to secure more spend from international visitors to the island. Looking ahead, this is a particularly exciting year for tourism in Northern Ireland with the return of The Open to Royal Portrush this summer. Following The 148th Open in 2019, there has been ongoing investment in Northern Ireland particularly in the accommodation sector with a number of new properties and acquisitions including the recently opened Dunluce Lodge in Portrush. Northern Ireland has now become an increasingly popular destination for the lucrative golf and luxury segments of the tourism market.

With 2025 now in full swing, there is certainly a lot to look forward to as Northern Ireland continues to showcase its world-class tourism offering.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITY

The overall purpose of this role is to support Tourism Northern Ireland's (Tourism NI) Destination Marketing Unit to facilitate international media familiarisation trips of Northern Ireland and to profile the destination using the media as a platform.

• Cost, plan and co-ordinate itineraries in Northern Ireland for incoming international media and influencers, in keeping with any outline proposals submitted by Tourism Ireland market offices, and other close stakeholders.
• Plan itineraries in accordance with the theme of anticipated feature/broadcast, mindful of key product areas, putting forward ideas and suggestions for additional interest while in Northern Ireland.
• Accompany media groups and meet journalists as and when required.
• Assist with the overall expenditure of the International Media Visits budget taking account of value for money and corporate governance rules and assist with the management of individual market budgets.
• Evaluate feedback/media clippings from familiarisation visits on a pre-agreed basis.
• Maintain a working knowledge of both Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland segments and experiential tourism within both Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland.
• Foster good relationships and liaise with employees within Tourism NI as well as the Tourism Ireland overseas office publicity personnel, Failte Ireland, Local Authorities and tourism industry providers in order to co-ordinate itineraries and make suggestions for future itineraries, taking account of the Tourism NI Corporate Plan.
• Support the International Media team with the production of quarterly reports and assist with associated departmental statistics in order to evaluate press and broadcast media visits.
• Keep product knowledge updated by undertaking product visits and maintain Tourism NI inter-departmental relationships.
• Address miscellaneous media enquiries.

• Provide briefing material and draft responses and reports/emails as and when required by Tourism NI's Executive Leadership & Senior Management Teams/Management/Employees, the Board, the Department for the Economy, the NI Assembly, members of the tourism industry, and the general public within specified timelines and in an appropriate format.
• Act as a central point of contact, including communicating with other Tourism NI units and external stakeholders as appropriate.
• Assist with the completion of Economic Appraisals and Post Project Evaluation in line with Tourism NI's policies and procedures to support Unit activities.
• Ensure that Unit processes adhere to Tourism NI/Public Sector financial governance, policy and procedure, the FAM Framework and audit recommendations.
• Assist in the delivery of project work within the Unit and across Tourism NI including representation at working groups and at external events as appropriate.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of the Unit Plan, the achievement of targets and promote corporate values and behaviours within the team and across the organisation.
• Provide support to ensure that the Unit activities are managed in line with Tourism NI policies and procedures such as budget resources and co-ordinating meetings etc.
• Provide cover for the Unit Manager when required to include decision making and attending meetings in their absence.
• Contribute to Unit and Divisional work planning and provide administrative support as and when required.
• Attend training as and when required and keep abreast of current developments in your area of work.
• Maintain, store and dispose of Unit records in accordance with Tourism NI's policy including the use of record management systems including Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as required by Tourism NI.

This Job Description has been written at a time of organisational change and it will be subject to review and amendment as the demands of the role and the organisation evolve. The job holder is therefore required to be flexible, adaptable and aware that they may be asked to perform tasks, duties and responsibilities which are not specifically detailed in the job description, but which are commensurate with the role and/or grade appointed or present an opportunity for development.

Option 1: A Level passes in 2 subjects, and GCSE grades A-C in English and Mathematics, or equivalent. AND A minimum of 2 years experience of liaising with multiple and diverse stakeholders including budget management. AND A minimum of 1 years experience of organising itineraries and having knowledge of Northern Ireland as a tourism product.

OR Option 2: A minimum of 3 years experience of liaising with multiple and diverse stakeholders including budget management. AND A minimum of 1 years experience of organising itineraries and having knowledge of Northern Ireland as a tourism product.

The Job Holder will also possess an excellent standard of Analytical and Communication skills both oral and written IT and Computer Literacy skills, including the Microsoft office suite, particularly Microsoft Excel. Negotiation, interpersonal and problem-solving skills and ability to build and maintain successful working relationships. Ability to work on own initiative and take the lead where necessary within a team environment to achieve organisational objectives. Sound organisational, planning and project management skills including the ability to work to strict deadlines and prioritise tasks with attention to detail. Customer-focused care and a commitment to continuous improvement and the ability to build and manage strong relationships and successfully influence and engage with customers and stakeholders, both internal and external.

A minimum of 1 years experience in budgetary control.

This is not an exhaustive list of duties and requirements. The nature of the organisation is such that it must respond to the dynamic environment in which it operates and the nature of duties, tasks, knowledge and skills required for this post will evolve and change in time. The Job Holder is expected to adapt to these changes and develop the role as a result. Applicants may also need to possess a current driving licence and use of a car for business purposes or have access to a form of transport which will permit the applicant to meet the requirements of the post in full.

Tourism NI is committed to equality and will comply with the Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998) statutory duties which requires designated public authorities to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity in relation to the nine equality categories and to have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief; political opinion; and racial group. The Disability Discrimination Act (1995) Section 49A requires designated public authorities to have due regard to the need to promote positive attitudes towards disabled persons, and to the need to encourage participation by disabled persons in public life.

COMPLETING APPLICATIONS

Those wishing to apply you should submit a completed application via no later than Monday 28th July 2025 at 23:59. CVs will not be accepted as a substitute/supplement to the application form. TOURISM NI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER.