Manager: Internal Communication (post level 7) (Job ID: 5589) at University of the Free State

Duties and responsibilities:

Strategic Responsibilities

• Provide input into the strategy of the Department Communication and Marketing.
• Serve on the departmental Crisis Communication team.
• Provide input into the departmental Risk Register.
• Serve on the Reputation Management Forum.

Professional Responsibilities:

Internal Communication Coordination

• Develop and implement internal communication protocols.
• Develop an internal content strategy indicating the key and supporting messages.
• Compile an annual internal content calendar, including all the internal channels managed by DCM.
• Coordinate the creation of content for and oversee the distribution of internal communication channels.
• Review content provided for publication on internal communication platforms for quality and alignment with the institutional strategy.
• Develop a channel map and roll-out plan for internal communication channels.
• Act as editor/producer of institutional magazines and corporate publications. This includes the development of content plans and production schedules and liaising with graphic designers.
• Act as producer of institutional videos. This includes the development of content plans and production schedules and coordinating the script-writing process.
• Measure the success of the internal communication strategy and report on findings to the Senior Director: Communication and Marketing.

Internal Communication Campaign Coordination:

• Coordinate the planning of campaigns and special projects according to DCM priorities as well as the Vice-Chancellor and Principal’s internal stakeholder engagement programme.
• Measure the impact of awareness campaigns and special projects and report on findings to the Senior Director: Communication and Marketing.

Coordinate DCM’s Content Hub:

• Act as Editor of the Content Hub.
• Chair the editorial meetings of the Content Hub.
• Update the weekly Content Hub news list.
• Curate and writer content for the Content Hub in multimedia format according to the assigned portfolio.
• Coordinate the services of freelance language editors.
• Coordinate the services of freelance writers.
• Coordinate content submitted to the Content Hub for use in other internal communication channels.
• Coordinate updating of the style guides.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

People Management:

• Develop job profiles for team members.
• Supervise and develop team members.
• Develop skills and professional development plans for unit.
• Conduct performance reviews as per the institutional cycle.
• Maintain positive employee relations.
• Drive change management within the unit.
• Manage human resource administration.
• Ensure that information affecting staff is communicated to them.
• Monitor adherence to relevant policies and procedures.

Resource management:

• Develop a budget for the unit.
• Develop and implement a resource management plan for the outputs to be achieved.
• Investigate and implement methods to optimise financial resources.

Growth Responsibilities:

Personal Growth:

• Identify growth areas and develop a skills and competence development plan.
• Identify relevant professional associations and join.

Trendspotting:

• List the areas in which trends will be identified and tracked.
• Read articles in reputable publications to stay on top of new developments.
• Share trends with the unit and use to identify improvement areas.

Inherent requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or an Advanced Diploma/B.Tech degree/Postgraduate Certificate on NQF level 7 in Corporate Communication/Marketing/Media Studies/ Journalism or a relevant qualification.
• A minimum of four (4) years’ relevant working experience related to the duties and responsibilities.

Recommendations:

• Honours degree/Postgraduate Diploma on NQF level 8 in Corporate Communication/Marketing/Media Studies.
• Valid driver’s licence.
• Experience in managing a team.
• Knowledge of journalism and corporate communication.
• Demonstrable knowledge of internal communication reporting using analytical data.
• Work experience in the higher education environment.
• Proven proficiency in business writing and experience in writing relevant content for digital and print channels/publications, including design processes (print and electronic)
• Proven experience in producing corporate videos.
• Experience in managing internal communication platforms in a higher education environment.
• Experience in project management.
• Experience in publication and design processes (print and electronic) and principles.
• Knowledge of industry best practices.