Senior Manager - Brand & Marketing Strategy Commercial Operations SA at MTN

Responsibilities

Brand & Marketing Strategy Development and Alignment 

• Set the vision for marketing and ensure strategy  is aligned with company strategy and the drive for growth in the digital, enterprise and all other alternative revenue streams
• In collaboration with team, execute the Brand & Marketing strategy and plans 
• Based on strategy, consistently provide direction, structure, business plans and support and ensure these are in line with the overall MTN strategy, divisional goals, and market needs and requirements. This includes identifying required resources, personnel and funding to achieve the divisional goals
• Track market trends and keep up to date on competitor activity in the Telco/Techco industries
• Develop strategies and mindsets to aid in the increase the Net Promoter Score

Operational Delivery Management - Brand Management

• Translate brand positioning into action by creating frameworks, roadmaps, execution plans, course corrections and ensure  project leadership cross functionally and work stream leadership
• Lead monitoring of adherence to brand guidelines, customer experience and brand roadmaps based on brand positioning
• Re-energize the MTN Brand across all business units and all functions, to ensure alignment to brand guidelines and drive focus towards new digital and social channels
• Ensure alignment across the marketing value chain, including external agency touch points
• Ensure MTN’s intellectual property is protected throughout the OpCos by ensuring the brand is trademarked
• Manage brand thematic communications

Stakeholder Management

• Implement effective measurement tools to allow MTN to understand the impact of marketing, sponsorship, online and search campaigns
• Manage relationships and contracts with relevant third parties, vendors and suppliers 
• Provide support to all stakeholders for global brand and marketing  strategy, evaluate ROI and annual marketing plans
• Implement effective metrics that track KPIs for Marketing execution in the BUs and monitor and track  performance against these 
• Ensure alignment across the marketing value chain, including external agency touch points
• Manage the Opco engagement related to all marketing campaigns across multiple functions. 
• Work closely with VP office as a point of escalation where OpCo response to Group marketing initiatives is poor
• Manage the Opco engagement related to all marketing campaigns across multiple functions. 

Budget and Cost Control

• Develop and provide input into area’s budgets and plans and collaborate closely with finance business partners and GM in the process
• Ensure the Efficient allocation and spend of the marketing budget – drive a positive ROI on marketing spend
• Manage and optimize the budget, Monitor costs and determine initiatives to increase efficiencies and optimize resources - maximize cost/benefit ratios     
• Ensure Vendor and IT costs are effectively managed
• Manage projects  or initiative budgets in line with business objectives

Governance, Policies & Procedures 

• Develop procedures, policies and work flows to instill clear governance and reporting adherence for Marketing activities which take place within the BUs
• Keep abreast of legislation and identify operational changes required to ensure compliance and improve efficiency. Sign off / make decisions regarding operational changes 
• Ensure effective implementation of (and compliance towards) company policies, processes, and procedures. Put effective methods and standards in place in alignment with aforementioned
• Oversee and ensure the establishment of systems and practices in order to comply with best practices, legislation or other regulations and guidelines 
• Continuously review key risks, issues and dependencies and set mitigation actions. Proactively flag and escalate issues and manage impacts on resources, cost and productivity
• Manage and provide solutions to escalations that have multiple processes / functions impact on critical path of service delivery
• Set up and participate in operational and tactical meetings, where required, 

Continuous Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement on all business development verticals 
• Keep abreast of international best practice, technologies and industry trends. Keep up to date with new products and services and their impact on MTN SA 
• Proactively research relevant best practice and processes, recommending translation of these in the strategic framework
• Review and encourage team idea generation
• Lead and/or play an active role in transformational and strategic projects impacting area of responsibility

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
• Lead, develop and coach the marketing teams on-the-job
• 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 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 organisation. Build the Company’s brand to be the employer of first choice.

Education

• Bachelors degree in Commerce, Marketing or related area
• Post Graduate qualification advantageous

Experience

• Minimum 7-11 years’ experience including:
• Minimum 3 years of Senior Management Experience
• Minimum 5 years managing staff
• Work across diverse cultures and geographies
• Experience in Telco industry
• In depth understanding of MTNs products and services
• Experience with marketing strategy development and execution
• Successful track record in strategic brand management
• Good understanding of Marketing enablement
• Good understanding of the media landscape
• Experience with master brand and sponsorships
• Extensive knowledge of various marketing channels and tactics, including digital marketing, advertising, social media, content marketing, and PR.