Product Communications Manager at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement product communications strategies to support pre-launch, launch and sustain phases of various products. This includes:
• Develop pre-launch, launch and sustainment strategies that are aligned with Marketing, as well as key messages and event plans to support key products through their lifecycle
• Budget management, issuing Purchase Requisitions, implementing control processes, and ensuring payment of event suppliers
• Strategic planning and implementation of new product launches and media drive events, within specific budget parameters 
• Outreach, engagement, and relationship-building with those journalists that can provide additional coverage in broader media including lifestyle, electronic and other non-traditional outlets
• Sustain constant flow of positive media coverage around Ford through press releases, editorial and advertorial outreach
• Crisis communications, this includes liaison with legal and external agents, statements, QAs, briefing books, and attending key meetings.
• Interact cross-functionally with departments such as Fleet Operations, Manufacturing, Government & Legal Affairs, Purchasing, Engineering and Marketing, Sales & Service as well as the IMG region.
• Managing and maximizing the utilization of the press test fleet within set budget parameters
• Develop and manage the press plan for motor shows and other sponsored events.
• Manage outside service providers with respect to events, communications agencies and the road test program.
• Support product recalls in general, this includes attending bi-weekly recall meetings, preparing holding statements and QAs, ensuring legal approvals on all messaging
• Keep the Ford Brand Rebuild strategy in mind with all initiatives, along with Ford OS
• Serve as the Communications team member that interfaces with the brand / product marketing managers on all key product launches and all communications initiatives, including sponsorships
• Serve as the company spokesperson on all Product Related Communications, in conjunction with the Communications Director
• Represent Communications on various brand and product teams, providing guidance, counsel and development of launch programs that promote and enhance the reputation of Ford Motor Company products through the media and to consumers, 
• Participate in the Take to Market (TTM) process to ensure that all Communication launch activities are supported and represented
• Work with key agencies (Comms, Marketing and Social) and service providers to ensure well-aligned, high-quality assets and ensure product communications plans are implemented successfully through all channels to all media 
• Contribute to internal communications on product announcements working with relevant stakeholders
• Ensure that Ford brand pillar communications at auto shows and exhibitions are strategically delivered, well-aligned with relevant stakeholders; work with key agencies and service providers to ensure they are well-supported by appropriate high-quality assets and proper distribution plans
• Develop relationships with regional communications colleagues to integrate Best Practices, and gain a better understanding of our products and company issues
• Analyse competitive media actions/ new trends, along with the appropriate agency, to develop proactive PR approaches
• Represent Ford at the Naamsa PR Forum and, where applicable, SAGMJ activities
• Manage and co-ordinate the media road test fleet in conjunction with the Social Media lead and the Communications Director
• Media release briefing, writing and editing on a weekly basis
• Strong understanding of social media - and will work closely with the Social Media Specialist in developing campaigns to drive product awareness, community engagement, etc.
• Grow the lifestyle portfolio and the way we interact with them, this includes launches, press packs, initiatives targeted at these media
• Look for collaborative opportunities with lifestyle media as well as brands that complement nameplates
• Think out the box, look for new ways to do launches and engage with media, while showing the merits of our product

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Marketing or Communications
• Five to seven years of Communications experience
• Automotive experience is an advantage but not essential if the successful applicant can demonstrate a proven track record in media relations/communications, and a real interest in the automotive industry
• Crisis management experience
• Project Management Experience
• Proven ability to create and execute a PR strategy or program