Sr. Public Relations & Digital Lead at Philip Morris International

• We’re looking for a Senior Public Relations & Digital Lead to take the reins of our communications strategy across Southern Africa. This is your opportunity to craft how a globally recognised business shows up in the public eye—through smart PR, strategic digital engagement, and powerful storytelling.
• We believe diverse voices make us stronger. That’s why we’re actively encouraging African Black, and women professionals to apply. Your point of view, your lived experience, and your creativity will help us connect more authentically with the communities we serve.
• As a seasoned member of our communications team, you’ll lead the design and rollout of coordinated campaigns that protect and elevate our corporate and consumer reputation. Working across traditional and digital platforms, lead high-impact product launches, respond to real-time comms needs, and build a network of media champions who trust and respect your voice.
• This role calls for someone with a strong sense of purpose, a dedication to representation, and the strategic skill to lead in sophisticated, evolving spaces.

Your Day to day

Public Relations Amplification

• Stay deeply connected to the Sub-Saharan Africa media and business environment.
• Lead powerful PR campaigns that speak to today’s culture while strengthening our business narrative.
• Drive coverage of company news, executive visibility, product turning points, and lifestyle initiatives.
• Guide proactive media engagement and respond quickly with good judgment when the unexpected arises.
• Identify and support strong voices within the company for speaking opportunities and media profiles.
• Build trust-based relationships with editors, journalists, bloggers, influencers, and media outlets—especially those crafting African stories.
• Integrate PR and digital strategies to expand reach, visibility, and audience connection.
• Partner closely with our PR agency, ensuring creative and consistent delivery at a high standard.

Digital Campaign Management

• Lead integrated digital PR campaigns that amplify our messages across online platforms.
• Co-create engaging content with internal teams—from articles and social posts to executive videos and influencer collaborations.
• Use analytics and data to sharpen strategy and increase impact.
• Expertly work with SEO principles, digital advertising, and paid media execution.

Platform Management

• Own the tone and strategy behind our digital platforms—social media, website, email—ensuring they reflect our values and messages.
• Maintain consistency across all platforms while adapting for each audience.
• Monitor and analyse performance metrics to identify areas of opportunity and growth.

 Tools & Technology Integration

• Use smart tools—social listening, analytics dashboards, CRM systems—to enhance campaign results.
• Stay up to date with emerging tech trends and tools to keep us agile and future-ready.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a key point of contact for all things digital PR—internally and externally.
• Ensure our public-facing communications are aligned across departments and functions.

Crisis Management

• Support in managing online reputation and addressing issues in real time.
• Help develop and apply protocols for effective and timely crisis response.

What You’ll Bring

• A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Communications, PR, Marketing, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experiencein professional communications, with strong PR exposure—ideally in consumer, FMCG, or regulated industries.
• Deep relationships with journalists across business, lifestyle, and general press.
• A strong record of delivering integrated PR and digital campaigns from strategy to execution is key. 
• Previous experience of implementing PR & Digital strategies hands-on within a lean team environment is key.
• Outstanding writing and storytelling skills—you know how to create messaging that moves people.
• A digital mindset: you’re comfortable working across platforms, reading data, and adapting strategies in real time.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborator engagement skills—you can build trust at every level.
• Solid understanding of South Africa’s media dynamics as well as the broader Sub-Saharan communications landscape.