Senior Communications Manager (External Communications): 6-Month Fixed Term Contract at Old Mutual South Africa

Job Description

• The role is responsible for the formulation and delivery of the group’s external communication plan and the promotion of our group message to external stakeholders. The role will lead a team of managers to build and enhance our reputation, manage group media relations, and ensure consistent and effective communication across various external platforms.

Role Description / Key Performance Areas

Strategic Delivery:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communication plan that aligns with the organisation’s goals, objectives, and communication strategy.
• Deliver a press and media strategy to guide effective press and media relationships across the Group.

Operational Delivery:

• Manage the delivery of effective and efficient OML communications processes.
• Optimise and drive ‘Ways of Work’, including digital transformation, operational processes, tools, and systems.
• Manage the delivery of External Communication services according to agreed service standards.
• Monitor media coverage and industry trends, proactively identify potential issues, and develop strategies to mitigate reputational risks.
• Monitor and analyse communication metrics and KPIs to evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies and tactics, making data-driven recommendations for improvement.
• Collaborate with the Group Marketing and other cross functional teams, to develop a consistent approach and delivery of communication to external stakeholders.
• Drive the delivery of compelling messaging and content to promote the organisations brand and drive engagement and support.
• Manage external communications, including press releases, thought leadership programme media relationship building and issues and crisis management.
• Serve as the organisation’s primary media contact, building and maintaining relationships with key journalists, bloggers, and influencers.
• Organise and manage press conferences, media interviews and other events to effectively communicate key messages and initiatives.
• Manage people and culture per OML people practices and policies to create an enabling environment that supports high-performing and empowered teams.
• Contribute to functional data resource planning.
• Implement the functional resource plan and take corrective action (where required).
• Manage functions KPIs and implement corrective action.

Finance and Governance:

• Responsible for Finance and Risk management, including the management and clearing of audit findings.
• Contributes to functional resource planning and integration.
• Drives and manages accountabilities for certain legislative requirements specifically impacting the way we engage with our customers.

Manage Budget.

Qualifications Required 

• Degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.

Experience required

• Minimum 8 years’ external communications experience.
• Extensive experience defining and implementing communications strategies and plans, including driving communications standards and governance across a business.
• Experience in managing teams.
• Extensive experience in media relations, crisis communication and reputation management.
• Proficient in using various communications tools and platforms.
• Strong relationship building skills.
• Prior financial services experience is desirable.

Competencies

• Strategic
• Leading with Influence
• Collaborating
• Customer First
• Execution
• Innovation
• Personal Mastery

Technical Competencies

• Business & Market knowledge
• Advanced knowledge of the business landscape (Business value chain, key operational areas). Knows how each business area contributes to business success. Sound knowledge of the market conditions within which the business operates and how potential developments could influence the business. Sound knowledge of competitors to the business and how their product/service offering competes with the business offering.
• Content Development
• Develops suitable and engaging content for a range of different target audiences. Understands the needs of the target audience in content development. Develops content to suit the platforms or channels it will be published to. Aligns content to corporate identity and brand guidelines. Displays sound written communications ability.
• Corporate Communication
• Guides in dealing with communication in demanding situations and to different stakeholders. Sound skills in formulating communication strategies and plans to deliver internal and external communication. Shapes and aligns key messages to the needs of stakeholders and the corporate narrative. Develops communication outcomes that build and grow the brand. Develops integrated marketing communications campaigns using both physical and digital tools. Advanced skills in press and media relations.
• Reputation Management
• Skilled in assessing the business reputation in the market and with various stakeholder groups. Sound knowledge of the key reputation drivers and the internal coordination required to drive a good corporate reputation. Sound understanding of corporate reputational risk and how this will impact the business.
• Risk and Crisis Management
• Skilled in implementing the business risk, compliance, and governance policies within a work environment. Sound knowledge of what constitutes ethical behaviour. Knows the crisis management process.