Brown O’Connor Communications – Graduate Trainee Opportunity
Salary: competitive
Start: September 2025
Brown O’Connor Communications is seeking a talented Graduate Trainee to support the client consultancy team working in public relations, public affairs and strategic communications.
This is an exciting opportunity within an ambitious and fast-paced consultancy. We require a resilient individual with proven academic capability, who is now ready to step into their first communications agency role.
You will learn practical skills on the job while supporting the client service team in their delivery of high impact client campaigns at the highest level.
In this important supporting role, you will also have the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business.
About Brown O’Connor Communications: www.brownoconnor.com
Brown O’Connor Communications is one of Ireland’s most trusted and respected communications advisory firms. Founded by directors Chris Brown and Arlene O’Connor, we are a Belfast-based team of 10.
Our Specialist Areas
We are highly regarded specialists in:
· Public Affairs
· Corporate and Strategic Communications services
· Media Relations
· Crisis Communications
· Property and Planning Communications
· Litigation Communications
· Event Management
· Political Monitoring
· Communication Strategy Development
Our reputation is based on our extensive experience working for high-profile, public facing organisations and delivering our services on a range of sensitive issues.
The agency has been awarded the Belfast Chamber Communications Excellence Award, CIPR Best Public Affairs Campaign, CIPR Best Healthcare Campaign, CIPR Best Event and has been named the Chartered Institute of Public Relations Northern Ireland Consultancy of the Year.
Our Client Work
We have a track record for managing and delivering complex corporate media relations and public affairs programmes for some of Ireland’s leading businesses, professional services, charities, trade bodies, interest groups and public-sector organisations.
We work across a range of areas including legal, financial, health and social care, commercial, fintech, economic development, manufacturing, public inquiries, non-departmental public bodies and the charity sector.
We help our clients gain impact and outcomes through specialist insight and influence with editors, government ministers, stakeholders, investors and corporate decision makers.
Our media relations work is carried daily across broadcast, print and social media, and steers public discourse on some of the biggest matters for local society; our public affairs and stakeholder influencing activity at Stormont, Westminster and in the Oireachtas informs and helps to shape policy and public service delivery.
Check out our blog for some highlights of our recent work Blog — Brown O'Connor Communications
Graduate Trainee Person Specification
This is a hands-on role with an exceptional opportunity to learn on the job in a fast-paced, often pressurised, outcome-orientated environment.
You will be responsible for the delivery of key weekly reporting and monitoring functions, as well as supporting the client handling team to ensure smooth, timely delivery of agreed campaign activities, goals and outcomes.
You will have a keen interest in politics, business and the media and a developing understanding of the role of public affairs, media relations, stakeholder relations.
You will have a solid understanding of the importance and impact of clear, accurate and timely communications.
You will be well organised, with a critical eye for detail and the ability to plan and track activity to ensure smooth running of client work.
You will be confident in managing multiple tasks and have the ability to consistently meet deadlines.
You will work collaboratively as a team player with Brown O’Connor colleagues to ensure success across client accounts.
Day to Day Role
You will play an essential role in Political and Policy Monitoring of the NI Assembly, Westminster and Oireachtas.
Your proven writing skills will be applied to writing editorial content on behalf of clients including press releases, opinion/platform pieces and blogs.
You will work with trusted suppliers such as photographers, graphic designers, videographers, economists and sectoral experts integral to the successful delivery of client activity campaigns.
You will be able to create appropriate and engaging visual and social media content across multiple platforms. You may have videography, photography, graphic design or editing skills which will enhance your capabilities, although this is not essential.
You will work on political lobbying and public awareness campaigns supporting policy change, legislative change and the smooth running of political engagement programmes.
Your work will support the delivery of outcomes for clients and work to raise their profile in the media and with key stakeholders in a positive way.
Our Approach and Company Culture
· The success of Brown O’Connor Communications is based on the performance of its people.
· Our rigorous approach delivers positive outcomes for our clients, and we go out of our way to ensure success.
· We deliver excellence in all that we do and our team is accountable and responsible for all activity they undertake.
· As the Graduate Trainee, your attitude, energy and work outputs will reflect the values of Brown O’Connor and the hard-earned reputation for which the business is known, trusted and respected.
Criteria
A recent (1 year) or 2025 graduate, with university placement or work experience in the area of public affairs, corporate communications or within a communications environment.
Third Level Degree or equivalent in the preferred areas of Communications, Law, Politics, Business, Social Science or Humanities.
An excellent communicator both written and oral.
Outstanding organisational skills.
Keen awareness of news, current affairs and politics.
Strong initiative and work ethic.
Clean driving licence and access to a car preferred.
How to Apply
To apply in strict confidence, please send your detailed CV and a covering email telling us why you think you are the right candidate for this role, with examples demonstrating how you meet the above role description (word limit 300 words) to Brown O’Connor Communications at hello@brownoconnor.com, with the email subject Graduate Trainee by 5pm on Friday 27 June 2025.
Application Process
Initial shortlisting early July
Interviews July 2025
Start September 2025