Senior Manager: Internal Communications at Old Mutual

Job Description

Role overview

• The role is responsible for the formulation and delivery of the Internal Communications plan and initiatives in support of the OML Communications strategy for the OML Group.

Key Result Areas

Strategic Delivery:

• Develop the group internal communications strategy to drive employee engagement.
• Partner and work with Group Human Capital and other internal stakeholders to conceptualise and implement change management and culture programmes
• Design and implement a comprehensive senior leadership internal engagement strategic plan
• Lead and deliver OML Group employee engagement for Annual Results, Interims and other exco led strategic internal engagements
• Develop the corporate narrative for the OML Group and manage the delivery of this narrative across the Group.
• Manage internal reputational risks and tailor communication for different audiences, markets and regulatory environments

Operational Delivery:

• Design and implement the annual group internal communications plan
• Able to craft effective digital and offline internal communication plans and messaging to manage the internal brand reputation
• Ability to work across multiple business units and balance competing priorities
• Confidently craft compelling narratives that deliver impact
• Ability to balance corporate storytelling with data-driven reporting and metrics
• Skilled in driving employee engagement and ensuring smooth and consistent internal communication during periods of change
• Deliver all group internal communication processes, protocols and policies
• Lead and manage the group communications Community of Practice
• Manage reputational risk in the delivery of internal communications.
• Provide expertise in the drafting and delivery of briefing documents or content for group executives.
• Provide expertise in producing content and delivery of internal campaigns and approve corporate narrative as per corporate standards.
• Partner with senior leaders across the organisation to ensure that all internal communications is aligned with business objectives and supports the company culture.
• Manage the monitoring and measurement of internal communications and provide recommendations for improvement based on feedback and data analysis.
• Serve as the company’s spokesperson on internal communications matters.
• Manage people and culture per OML people practices and policies to create an enabling environment that supports high-performing and empowered teams.
• Implement the functional resource plan and take corrective action (where required).

Finance and Governance:

• Sets clear KPIs and goals, ensuring alignment with Old Mutual’s broader communication and business objectives
• Regularly evaluates performance and provides constructive feedback to develop team
• Responsible for Finance and Risk management, including the management and clearing of audit findings.
• Prepare all internal communication quarterly  reports as required
• Contribute 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.

Requirements: Skills, Qualifications and Experience required

• Degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.
• At least 8 years’ internal communications and team leadership experience in a large, multi-layered organisation
• Experience defining and implementing  internal communications strategies and plans, including driving communications standards and governance across a business.
• Experience in leading, managing and developing teams.
• Prior financial services or consultancy experience is desirable.

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

Key Attributes & Competencies:

• Strong Prioritization & Multi-Tasking Skills: Effectively manages multiple projects, stakeholders, and deadlines while balancing strategic planning and tactical execution. Quickly identifies high-priority tasks and ensures efficient delivery.
• Resilience & Composure Under Pressure: Thrives in high-stakes, deadline-driven environments, maintaining professionalism and effectiveness while handling unexpected challenges.
• Agility & Adaptability: Excels in navigating change, ambiguity, and shifting priorities. Responds proactively to crises with clear, concise communication and problem-solving.
• Stakeholder Management & Influence: Builds and maintains strong relationships across teams, executives, and external partners. Skilled in managing expectations and tailoring communication to diverse audiences and business needs.
• Crisis Communication & Risk Management: Confidently handles reputational risks, media inquiries, and high-impact communication initiatives.
• Digital Fluency & Technology Proficiency: Leverages digital tools for effective communication and collaboration. Skilled in brand reputation management and real-time crisis response.
• Storytelling & Brand Positioning: Crafts compelling narratives that align with corporate messaging while integrating data-driven insights.
• Change Management & Employee Engagement: Drives effective communication strategies to support organizational change and foster engagement.
• Coaching & Mentorship: Supports team development by providing guidance on strategic communication, crisis management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Conflict Resolution & Team Morale: Capable of de-escalating tensions and maintaining motivation during high-pressure situations.
• Performance-Driven Approach: Sets clear KPIs, aligns goals with business objectives, and provides regular feedback to optimize team performance.
• Partners at all levels of the organisation to develop, implement, and execute organisation-wide communication plans that build and maintain the company brand with internally and externally.

Responsibilities
Public/Government Relations Campaign Planning

• Lead the alignment of the public relations, government relations, regulation, and registration plans to the strategic goals of the business to ensure that any spend is focused and provides best value to the business.

Public/Government Relations Campaign Management

• Manage a portfolio of public relations and government relations campaigns and negotiate service-level agreements to ensure successful campaigns and value for money. Plan, coordinate, and supervise activities relating to major campaigns.

Public/Government Relations Campaign Execution

• Oversee a particular area, product, or service within the larger public relations, government relations, regulation, and registration strategy. This involves managing development or delivery (or both).

Leadership and Direction

• Communicate the function's strategy and its relationship to the organization's mission, vision, and values; clarify the actions needed to implement this strategy within the area of responsibility; motivate people to commit to the mission, vision, and values and do extraordinary things to achieve the organization's business goals.

Policy Development and Implementation

• Develop functional or operational policies and help develop policy frameworks for area of responsibility or department. Take responsibility for creating underlying procedures and monitoring their implementation.

Functional Strategy Formation

• Lead the development and implementation of strategy for a significant area of responsibility, anticipating complex issues, challenges, and opportunities and ensuring integration with wider corporate strategy.

External Communications

• Manage certain aspects of the external communications system with some guidance from senior colleagues. This could mean being responsible for the development or operation of the system.

Budgeting

• Manage budget plans for a department. May involve development or delivery or both.

Performance Management

• Manage and report on performance within the department or area of responsibility; set appropriate performance objectives for direct reports and hold individuals accountable for achieving them; take appropriate corrective action where necessary to ensure the achievement of annual business objectives.

Organizational Capability Building

• Evaluate the capabilities of staff within the department to identify gaps and prioritize development activities. Implement the organization's formal development frameworks within the area of responsibility. Coach and mentor others to support the development of the organization's talent pool.

Data Collection and Analysis

• Make authoritative recommendations that have a significant impact on the business over the short and long term. Recommendations could be technical or professional in nature.

Skills

• Accounting, Action Planning, Adaptive Thinking, Budget Management, Campaign Management, Change Management, Commercial Acumen, Executing Plans, Oral Communications, Policies & Procedures, Professional Presentation, Project Schedule Management, Public Relations (PR) Management, Report Review, Servant Leadership

Competencies

• Balances Stakeholders
• Builds Effective Teams
• Business Insight
• Communicates Effectively
• Decision Quality
• Drives Results
• Drives Vision and Purpose
• Manages Complexity

Education

• NQF Level 9 – Masters

Closing Date

• 25 March 2025 , 23:59