Senior Communications Manager – Maternity Cover

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is the largest global coffee trade association dedicated to making coffee better by fostering a global coffee community and supporting activities to make specialty coffee a thriving, equitable, and sustainable endeavor for the entire value chain. Through collaboration and progressive approaches, it supports the industry through research, standards, education, and events. Working around the world, the SCA elevates worldwide standards, providing value and connectivity to the growing global community. 

Contract, Short Term Maternity Cover. Anticipated Start Date: December 1, 2026.

This role can be done remotely anywhere in Ireland. 

The Senior Communications Manager will support the delivery of SCA's global communications activities during a short-term maternity cover period. This role will help maintain a consistent organizational voice, coordinate communications across departments, and support initiatives that strengthen SCA's visibility, reputation, and engagement with its global community. 

Working closely with the CMO, internal stakeholders, and SCA's external communications and public relations agency, the Senior Communications Manager will manage day-to-day communications activities, develop and review content, coordinate communications projects, and support executive and internal communications. 

Essential Functions:  

Strategic Communications 

• Support the implementation of SCA's communications strategy, coordinating priorities, projects, and communications calendars. 

• Maintain consistent messaging aligned with SCA's organizational goals and brand guidelines. 

Media & Public Relations 

• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, media outlets, and industry influencers. 

• Manage responses to press inquiries
  and coordinate media trade agreements. 

• Serve as the day-to-day liaison with SCA's external PR agency, coordinating media materials, internal approvals, interviews, and communications activities. 

• Support press announcements, media inquiries, and storytelling opportunities in collaboration with the agency and internal stakeholders. 

Executive, External, & Internal Communications 

• Support executive communications, including talking points, presentations, organizational updates, and thought leadership content. 

• Coordinate and support content strategy across owned channels (website, newsletters, social media) while ensuring consistent voice, tone, and brand storytelling across all platforms. 

• Coordinate internal communications initiatives, working with HR and leadership to share organizational news and recognize employee achievements. 

Crisis & Issues Management 

• Monitor and escalate emerging communications issues or potential reputational risks to the CMO. 

• Support the preparation of statements, briefing materials, and communications responses in coordination with leadership and the PR agency. 

Agency & Stakeholder Coordination 

• Manage partnerships with external agencies/consultants 

• Partner closely with the marketing team to manage timelines, approvals, and proofreading 

Skills and Experience:  

• 6-8 years of experience in communications, public relations, or a related field. 

• Experience coordinating communications in complex and multicultural environments. 

• Ability to work remotely, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines. 

• Strong writing, editing, and messaging skills across internal and external channels. 

• Experience coordinating communications projects and working with external PR agencies. 

• Strong understanding of media relations, executive communications, and reputation management. 

• Ability to build and maintain relationships with media, influencers, internal leaders, and global stakeholders. 

• Excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to multi-task and manage your own time, priorities, and resources to achieve goals.  

• Familiarity with managing content across websites, newsletters, social media channels, and digital communications tools.  

Other Duties:    

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.