Faculty Marketing and Communications Manager - Health Sciences Dean's Office - Faculty of Health Sciences at University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria

BACKGROUND

• The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria is internationally recognised for its excellence in the education of health care professionals.  The faculty is committed to advancing cutting-edge research and transforming teaching and learning in response to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4 IR) to prepare and graduate a new generation of highly skilled, innovative and future-ready health care professionals. The coursework offered by the faculty combines academic and practical skills and embraces innovation.
• The Faculty’s coursework combines rigorous academic knowledge with practical and experiential learning, while embracing innovation, technology and emerging approaches to health sciences education. Its academic curricula, research activities, and community engagement initiatives not only address the diverse needs of local communities but also help shape and drive international endeavours and debates.
• The faculty has 4 Schools: School of Medicine, School of Dentistry, School of Health Care Sciences and School of Health Systems and Public Health.  It is one of the most comprehensive Health Sciences faculties in South Africa, with 43 academic departments and several specialised research centres and institutes. The faculty offers 10 undergraduate and 213 postgraduate programmes/ qualifications. 
• The position plays a strategic role in overseeing the Faculty brand and marketing strategy, as well as communication campaigns, media relations, events and web refresh, and ensures that the strategies are effectively implemented across all faculty departments and align with the University's overall institutional strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Overseeing the faculty brand and marketing strategy, as well as communication campaigns, media relations, events and web refresh, and ensuring that the strategies are implemented across the faculty, departments and aligned with the university's overall institutional strategy.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Developing and implementing an integrated marketing strategy to support the faculty plan and the university’s marketing strategy;
• Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of marketing and communication strategies using data analytics and performance metrics, providing insights to inform decision-making and continuous improvement;
• Developing and managing a communication strategy that supports the faculty’s key strategic objectives and aligns with strategic intent and direction at the institutional level;
• Strategically position Faculty leadership through the development of executive communication, including key messages, speeches, and thought leadership content, to enhance visibility, credibility, and influence among internal and external stakeholders;
• Providing direction and oversight to the service provider (social media service provider) on integrated marketing priorities, campaigns, and brand initiatives;
• Developing and implementing a content strategy that ensures consistent messaging, brand alignment, and engagement across all digital platforms;
• Developing strategies that drive traffic to the faculty website;
• Developing and implementing stakeholder communication strategies to ensure consistent, targeted, and effective engagement across key stakeholder groups;
• Monitoring and evaluating stakeholder engagement and communication effectiveness, providing insights to inform strategy and improve relationship management;
• Managing issues and reputational risks through proactive stakeholder communication and timely response strategies;
• Providing strategic direction and oversight for the planning, design, and delivery of Faculty and School marketing events, ensuring alignment with institutional objectives and brand positioning.
• Leading the coordination of event logistics, including stakeholder engagement, media relations, venue management, security, and service providers to ensure seamless execution.
• Overseeing the provision and management of corporate and branded gifts, ensuring alignment with brand standards and stakeholder engagement objectives.
• Providing direction, guidance, support, and encouraging staff to create and maintain collegiality and a positive working team spirit, improving performance and ensuring effective service delivery to benefit the clients as well as the team.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor/BTech degree in marketing management, communication management/public relations/journalism or related fields 
• 4 years’ experience in developing marketing communication strategies and campaign implementation plans.
• 4 years’ experience in managing a variety of cross-functional marketing communication campaigns from inception to completion.
• 4 years' experience in managing relationships with agencies and third-party suppliers;
• 2 years' experience in reporting on campaign results and making recommendations to senior management;
• Stakeholder engagement and management experience.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

• Interpersonal skills and the ability and sophistication needed to interact with internal stakeholders, business, media and other external stakeholders;
• Excellent language and communication skills and exceptional writing skills;
• Innovative, creative and proactive;
• Attention to detail;
• Ability to meet demanding targets within tight deadlines;
• Administrative and accounting skills;
• Organisational ability;
• Ability to work on own initiative and as a member of a team;
• Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends, when required.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

• Creative problem-solving experience;
• Experience in being customer-focused, with the ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers and build effective relationships;
• Experience in making decisions in a changing environment and anticipating future needs;
• Experience as a flexible, collaborative and proactive team leader who can positively and productively impact a team;
• Relevant industry experience gained from a similar institution;
• National and international industry benchmarking experience. 

In applying for this post, please attach:

• A comprehensive CV;
• Certified copies of qualifications;
• Names, e-mail addresses and telephone details of three referees whom we have permission to contact.

CLOSING DATE: 19 October 2026