Internal and External Communications manager, Middle East and Africa (MEA) - Modderfontein at Hitachi Energy

Job Description

You as an Internal and External Communications manager, Middle East and Africa (MEA), (Open) will be part of Hitachi Energy business based in Modderfontein, Gauteng, South Africa. You will be a part of the Middle East and Africa, South America and Korea communications team and report to Head of Communications, Middle East and Africa, South America and South Korea. 

As regional responsible for Internal and External Communications Manager for Middle East and Africa, South America and Korea countries, you will be responsible for managing the brand reputation by ensuring that the brand identity is positioned strategically, consistently and in a timely manner in all relevant media channels. You will be responsible for elevating the image and reputation of the business with compelling thought leadership content and storytelling that resonates with key external audiences while aligning with corporate global messages. Your activity will be national/local, your mindset should be global.  

Your responsibilities: 

• Developing and implementing an integrated external media plan to advance the brand identity in the country that aligns with company strategy and messaging.  
• Broadening awareness of the Business’ market leadership and increase the visibility of its products and services across key stakeholder audiences. 
• Monitoring the external media and thought activities and strategies of competitors and stakeholders. 
• Working closely with internal stakeholders to identify and develop compelling thought leadership stories, by text, pictures or video and/or finding other means of reaching the target groups. 
• Managing communication media agencies. 
• Proactively engaging with national, regional, business and stakeholders together with internal stakeholders  
• Supporting key leaders in the country with thought leadership content, media guidance and engagement opportunities (train spokespeople); ensure key leaders receive media and crisis communications training. 
• Working with the global team to create and manage announcements and other media activities; ensure global messages are localized.  
• Planning, supporting, preparing and managing responses to positive and negative inquiries from externals sources – includes crisis and issue-related social media escalations and responses. 
• Creating informative and interesting press releases, press kits, newsletters, launches, and related marketing materials. 
• Responding to communication-related issues in a timely manner. 
• Establishing an internal communications strategy, ensure organizational initiatives and projects are successfully communicated to employees and stakeholders. 
• Developing and managing internal and external communications in alignment with business themes and country/regional priorities.  
• Providing management guidance and develop business messages for key events such as industry conferences, tradeshows and employee meetings in line with corporate branding strategy as well as develop and manage relationships with media and other duties assigned by the line manager. 
• Living Hitachi Energy’s core values of safety and integrity, which means taking responsibility for your own actions while caring for your colleagues and the business.  

Your background: 

• Minimum 15 years of relevant experience in media interactions, ideally with an interest in technology and innovation 
• Cross functional communication skills with focus on editorial and digital communications (media, digital approach, branding, editorial, etc.) 
• Handled Media round table, tours in the region.  
• Cross cultural experience, be a people person. 
• Worked on internal communications strategy.  
• Understanding of digital communications channels and the power of social media 
• Exceptional writing/editing and oral communication skills 
• Solid experience to deal with media request, both mainstream as well as trades 
• Proven track record in building strong thought leadership programs 
• Proven experience to analyse and develop relevant metrics in dealing with different stakeholders internally and externally. 
• Strong networking ability and multi-cultural credentials 
• Must be able to multitask and work well under pressure. 
• Excellent organizational and leadership abilities. 
• Strong knowledge of communication practices and techniques. 
• Nice to have: Business knowledge or at least industrial technology/capital equipment sectors.