Corporate Communications at Ford Middle East & Africa

Job description

Job Summary

Responsible for the development, implementation and management of a sustainable and progressive Corporate Communications strategy for SA & SSA - including Corporate, Internal and CSR communications. Must build & maintain media relationships with relevant media. Manage corporate communications activities & events (e.g. assembly plant openings, etc.). Represent Ford Motor Company in all community-related affairs and identify those areas where Ford Motor Company should be involved. Actively develop opportunities to drive good news and serve as a company spokesperson.

Position Details:

• Responsible for the development, implementation and management of a sustainable and progressive Corporate Communications strategy - including External, Internal and CSR communications
• Responsible for managing issues and crises
• Build new & cultivate current media relationships with trade, regional & business media
• Effectively pitch and place stories to a wide variety of media
• Develop Thought Leadership plans for key executives.
• Manage corporate communications activities & events (e.g. plant openings, CSR events)
• Be able to set up and manage events, press conferences, round table discussions and interviews
• Work with key agencies and service providers
• Create media statements, Q&A’s and brief executives/spokespeople according to the situation/interview or discussion.
• Writing and editing of media releases, pitches, briefing documents
• Actively develop opportunites to drive good news for all corporate related story's
• Serve as a company spokesperson
• Proactively develops and manages key contacts database (media, suppliers, NGOs, etc.) and ensures this is kept updated in a timely manner.
• Manage relevant budgets
• Develop & implement internal & external plant communications strategies
• Responsible for internal publications, both print and online
• Develop strategic initiatives in support of Corporate Social Responsibility programs, both locally and regionally, as they pertain to SA and SSA.
• Work with the Ford Fund to implement sustainable programmes throughout the region of SA & SSA
• Handle all requests for partnerships, donations, etc and motivate to the company those which should be considered as suitable possibilities.
• Represent Ford Motor Company in all community-related affairs and identify those areas where Ford Motor Company should be involved
• Team-oriented approach with a positive attitude necessary, as well as a can-do attitude and a sense of urgency in this rapidly changing environment.
• Must know how to work with senior executives, especially offering advice and counsel.
• Drives the company’s B-BBEE socio-economic initiatives, Identifying opportunities that support our efforts in the employment and self-employment channels.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be a confident communicator
• Clear and concise communication skills
• Strong understanding of the media environment
• Ability to comfortably and credibly present to groups of people
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading, layout and design skills
• Excellent organizational, project management and planning skills
• Self-motivated with a positive and professional approach
• Good administrative skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work cross functionally, within the regional landscape and globally
• Strong inter-personal skills.
• Proven project management experience is a must- experience in managing a budget
• Strong understanding of how media work, including print, broadcast and online. Must be a media consumer as well.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Marketing or Communications
• 5 - 7 Years of Communications experience
• Automotive experience is desired but not essential if the successful applicant can demonstrate a proven track record in public relations and a real interest in the auto industry.
• Crisis management experience beneficial
• Proven ability to create and execute a PR strategy or program