Corporate Communications Manager at Philip Morris International

The Corporate Communications Manager will drive external and internal communications to further Philip Morris South Africa’s smoke-free transformation in South Africa. The role is central to improving the understanding of why smoke-free products are better than continued smoking and how they are regulated.

You will lead the achievement of external and internal communications business objectives by developing and deploying an integrated omnichannel communications strategy. Find and craft key messages and deliver them through consistent communications campaigns, leveraging all channels/platforms (earned, paid and owned media) to reach key audiences to achieve business advocacy and corporate reputation goals. Recognise communications opportunities and establish relationships with journalists through ‘meets & greets’ and events to secure coverage of the company’s positions. Maintains the company’s reputation across all media formats, drafts responses to media inquiries, and supports crisis communications.

The role involves working closely with internal partners and external communications agencies and requires monthly reporting to supervise progress against the business objectives.

The individual will also support its internal communications goals by preparing and executing an integrated internal communications plan.
 

• External Communications contribute to developing an integrated omnichannel external communications strategy that supports the business objectives and leads its implementation.
• Content Creation Drive and lead all aspects of messaging, content creation and the content calendar for all platforms to achieve the corporate communications’ business objectives. This includes securing the necessary approvals from internal partners before publishing or sharing externally.
• Media Relations & Enquires Cultivate relationships with critical media/journalists to improve understanding of key topics, especially those related to PMSA’s vision of creating a smoke-free South Africa. Craft responses to media enquiries where necessary.
• Earned Media in collaboration with the company’s communications agency, develop an earned media calendar and ensure preparation of approved press releases for distribution to targeted media outlets in order to secure coverage and interviews for company spokespeople.
• Paid Media in collaboration with the company’s communication agency, develop a paid media programme calendar and ensure preparation of approved op-eds, articles or digital assets (native, amplification, etc.) for paid media.
• Events Conceptualise, plan and execute own media events; secure journalist participation in own and independent events and follow up to earn media coverage in order to communicate strategic messages to key audiences through the media.
• Media Partnerships Handle existing media partnerships and propose new strategic partnerships to further the business advocacy and communications goals.
• Internal Communications Support the business to achieve its internal communications goals through developing an omnichannel strategy, content creation (emails, newsletters, webinars, presentations and internal social media posts/campaigns) and deployment of the strategy.
• Monitoring & Reporting provide performance updates on external communications’ achievements and effectiveness using media monitoring tools and paid media campaign tracking reports.
• Agency Management manage the company’s communications agency/ies to provide the necessary support and direction and ensure that their activities and achievements align with the external communications strategy.
   
• Who we’re looking for
• Degree in related field
• Minimum 5 years relevant corporate communications experience (Media, PR, Digital) in corporate or agency environment.
• Minimum 4 years managerial within communications is essential
• Excellent track record at leading a communications function and developing internal and external communications strategies.
• Skilled at developing and executing successful integrated omnichannel communications campaigns
• Crisis communications experience, existing relationships with journalists.
• Newswriting/copywriting expertise
• Strong Project Management skills to ensure timely, effective and efficient delivery with independent working methods
• Possess outstanding interpersonal skills and a positive attitude to deliver results in a fast-paced environment
• Strategic, agile and creative problem solver.
   

What we offer
Our success depends on the men and women who come to work every single day with a sense of purpose and an appetite for progress. Join PMI and you too can

• Seize the freedom to define your future and ours. We’ll empower you to take risks, experiment and explore.
• Be part of an inclusive, diverse culture, where everyone’s contribution is respected; collaborate with some of the world’s best people and feel like you belong.
• Pursue your ambitions and develop your skills with a global business – our staggering size and scale provides endless opportunities to progress.
• Take pride in delivering our promise to society to improve the lives of a billion smokers.