General Manager - External Communications.Corporate Affairs MANCO (Supporting MTN SA) at MTN

Responsibilities

Key Deliverables

• The GM: External Communication will be accountable to achieve the following objectives:

Strategy Development and Implementation

• Lead the creation of the functional strategy in line with the overarching business goals
• Drive effective implementation of the strategy by means of providing direction, structure, frameworks, models, plans and roadmaps
• Oversee regular review of the functional strategy and roadmap to ensure its alignment with the changing dynamics of the internal and external ecosystem

Staff Leadership and Management

• Build and manage a high performing team by providing leadership, role clarity, training and career development 
• Source, induct and manage talent in accordance with legislative guidelines
• Continually develop a culture of strong collaboration and effective team working
• Ensure open communication channels with staff and implement change management interventions where necessary
• Provide definition of roles, responsibilities, individual goals and performance objectives for the team
• Set KPIs and provide regular performance feedback through a well-defined and implemented performance review program
• Develop and implement a training plan in order to build and develop skills within the team
• Encourage knowledge transfer through the implementation of a knowledge transfer plan and drive continuous improvement philosophy through the knowledge transfer plan
• Performance manage resources in accordance with HR policy and legislation where necessary
• Actively participate in leadership team and develop skills of own team
• Promote a ‘MTN centric’ and ‘partnership approach’ to develop strong relationships with other working groups and ensure adherence to Group governance

Governance 

Strategic Meetings

• Hold strategic meetings, ensure relevant participation and provide guidance and input in the various discussions 
• Drive enterprise-wide conference participation framework, corporate affairs sponsorship and partnership initiatives, elicit inputs from relevant parties
• Drive adequate risk mitigation and controls and elicit inputs from relevant parties
• Perform evaluation baseline of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and KPIs
• Drive approval process on new initiatives
• Provide relevant budget for projects 
• Prepare proposal on change initiatives SLA, policies and procedures

 Escalations

• Escalate issues that will result in severe time, scope, productivity, and cost or resource impact
• Manage and provide solutions to escalations that have multiple processes / functions impact on critical path of service delivery
• Manage and provide solutions through stakeholder consultation where relevant

Function Tactical

• Review all projects initiated (internal or global)
• Review and finalise objectives, targets and budgets for the External Communications function as applicable
• Review key risks, issues and dependencies and set mitigation actions
• Develop and manage budgets 
• Sign-off / make decisions regarding tactical changes
• Chair tactical meetings

 Performance

• Monitor performance and alignment with MTN global strategy
• Ensure alignment between the various stakeholders and customers
• SLA approval and exception performance review 

Reporting

• Report on a periodic basis to the Group Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer relating to progress made within the function and in accordance with the measurement metrics set by the organisation
• Report on an ad hoc basis on specific projects, as required

Budgets

• Develop and manage function’s budgets in line with business objectives
• Develop and manage project initiative budgets in line with business objectives
• Ensure that the cost of operations are reduced, in line with a least cost operating strategy stemming from the business drivers

Planning and Operations Leadership 

• Curation of content strategy for MTN SA across the BU’s and functions
• Identification of key strategic issues and conceptualisation of content that is appropriate for both internal and external stakeholders to positively promote the MTN Brand and Reputation 
• Consolidation of Opco-wide content, generated by MTN Communication Champions who are guided to be ambassadors of the Brand in story telling
• Management of publicity campaigns and determination of the appropriate platforms which will give positive publicity and PR mileage
• Usage of key topical media conversations to build online presence that links back to ESG
• Management of communication mediums and content tailoring, including portal websites, media platforms, social media, presentations, and speeches
• Relevant updated MTN SA company profile, which is always ready for the different platforms
• Accountability taken of MTN’s written content by external sources and continuous evaluation of their contributions
• Proactive issue monitoring management of various channels and platforms 
• Strategic usage of channels for proactive reputational communication opportunities through “news jacking”
• Key advisory role, to exco with the Chief CA & Sustainability, in CRISIS MANAGEMENT

Continuous Improvement

• Keep abreast of international best practice, technologies and industry trends.
• Proactively research relevant best practice and processes, recommending translation of these in the strategic framework of the unit.
• Maintain an understanding of related systems in order to develop integrated systems and processes.
• Keep up to date with new products and services and their impact on MTNSA
• Understand and take cognisance of emerging markets and plan accordingly

People & Culture Management

• Provide technical, procedural and policy guidance to staff, colleagues , partners and vendors
• Attract, develop and retain appropriate talent. Build talent by identifying and developing new leaders for the respective environment
• Create and implement personal development plans
• Define the divisional KPAs and KPIs that will be cascaded down to each area
• Manage Performance and identify training needs. Coach and guide subordinates
• Enable and model healthy employee relations and collaborative teamwork
• Manage diversity, develop, and embed an Employment Equity plan for the business area
• Contribute to building a culture  of continuous evaluation and improvement. Drive a culture of high performance, accountability and consequence management
• Act as an ambassador for the Consumer team by living the Brand values and vital behaviours and changing and influencing employees’ behaviour
• Make the environment the best place to work. Foster professionalism, loyalty and commitment to the organization. Build the Company’s brand to be the employer of first choice

Qualifications

Education:

• Minimum of 4-year tertiary degree (specialization in Business Communication / Public Relations / Marketing / as appropriate)
• MBA or Masters (advantageous)
• Relevant certification / accreditation / membership with professional body such as South African Communications Association, Exhibition and Event Association of Southern Africa (advantageous)  
• Fluent in English and language of country preferable

Experience:

• Minimum 5 -8 years’ experience in: 
• In a Public Relations/ External Communication role 
• Experience working in a global/multinational enterprise /FMCG 
• understanding of emerging markets 
• In managing staff
• Knowledge of consumer data analytics, management, and platforms in a Techo environment
• Experience in continuous improvement through the implementation of best practices
• Understanding of emerging markets
• Minimum 5 years of senior management experience in External Communications with specific focus on external communications, brand management, sponsorships and events
• Worked across diverse cultures and geographies
• Experience working in a medium to large organization 
• Project management experience
• Telecommunications industry experience 
• Pan Africa multi-cultural experience

Competencies:

Functional Knowledge: 

• Project Management
• Engagement Program Design
• External Branding and Design
• External Communication 
• Workforce Segmentation and Profiling
• Leadership Influence 
• Visual/Verbal design
• Event/Project Management
• Experience Management
• Digital Platforms
• Editorial and content writing
• Reporting 
• Global Working and Collaboration
• Organisational considerations

 Skills

• Strategy Formulator
• Visualization
• Decisive Problem Solver
• Digital Mind-set
• Innovative Value Creator
• Culture and Change Champion
• Leadership/Entrepreneurial approaches
• Inspiring People Leader
• Relationship Builder
• Results Achiever
• Operationally Astute
• Organizational Agility 
• Digital Mind-set
• Dealing with ambiguity and complexity
• Conflict Management
• Negotiation skills
• Project Management
• People Management
• Presentation Skills

Behavioural Qualities

• Adaptable
• Complete candour
• Culturally aware 
• Emotional Maturity
• Innovation 
• Integrity
• Leadership

Responsibility towards: 

• Key external stakeholders:  Investors, Media, Social Media, design company, third party technical teams other external contractors

Key internal stakeholders:    

• MTN SA Business Leaders and Line Managers
• Opco – Corporate Services & External Communication teams

Apply Before 10/08/2025