Public Relations Manager - Johannesburg, South Africa - FirstRand

FirstRand

Verified Company

Johannesburg, South Africa

1 week ago

Posted by:

Thabo Mthembu

beBee Recruiter

Description

Job Description

Coordinate public relations activities within the business unit designed to create and maintain favourable image for employer internally and externally Responsible for managing a portfolio of clients or business units to position them in and through the media.

Drive the positioning and reputation management through a range of Public Relations tools and media platforms

Description:

The PR communications manager will be responsible for developing and executing communications strategies for various clients or group business units South Africa and Rest of Africa.

The individual will further drive positioning and reputation management through a variety of tools and media platforms.

Responsibilities:

Plan, implement, coordinate and execute the organisation's public relations strategies, policies and procedures
Draft content / editorial for the business unit. This includes relevant content plans, feature articles, press releases and scripts for podcast/vodcast opportunities.
Build presentations / plans that will highlight or give an overview of PR activities in the business unit
Proactively manage and inform business units of potential crisis / reputational issues
Build working relationships across teams and functional lines in order to enhance work delivery, collaboration and innovation that promote awareness of the company and its products or services
Develop contacts and relationships with media representatives to create opportunities for keeping the company and its products or services in front of public and the trade
Participate in planned activities that are appropriate for own and employee development
Prevent wastage, and on an ongoing basis identify process improvements in order to contain and reduce costs
Establish and build sustainable relationships with the teams in South Africa and Rest of Africa countries.

Profile pre-requisites

Interest and previous experience in financial services/banking in SA and Rest of Africa
An understanding of the commercial and corporate banking space, economics, the banking environment; and knowledge of financial products
Rest of Africa and SA
Experience in communications for brands and/or agencies that operate in other African markets.
Exceptional writing and editing skills (ability to showcase writing portfolio would be an advantage).
An indepth understanding of the local and African financial services industry, including competitors, regulators, key figures and terminology.
Ability to work independently without agency support
Selfstarter with a high level of motivation and the ability to operate independently if required.
Strong reputational management or crisis communications skills
PR agency experience (with brands in Africa), with sound business acumen
Ability to work support across different comms portfolios
Exposure and experience in working with digital/multimedia communication/content
Skilled in presenting and verbal communication
Emotional intelligence and interpersonal expertise
A passion for media activity and news
Strong media relationships (SA and Rest of Africa)
Broad understanding of the media landscape
Flair for creativity, strategic thinking and innovation
Good computer and project management skills
Outstanding ability to manage multiple projects and portfolios
Service focused and sensitive to confidential information
Ability to manage people
Appreciation of financial services
Comfort to liaise at C-Suite level

Key responsibilities:

Daily point of contact for key media contacts
Manage daily interactions between the media and internal stakeholder
Oversee the upkeep of media lists and other PR material by consultants
Managing a high level of client interaction by implementing strategies to build internal relationships and maintain the PR needs of internal clients and align with their priorities
Lead the implementation of PR plans
Proactive management of reputational issues. Development of holding statements on key issues.
Spearhead both traditional PR and digital media execution such as podcasts and video
Developing news angles, stories and pitches to advance the client's profile, products and services.
Keeping abreast of current PR trends and tools
Develop industry, sector and product focused PR campaigns
Manage upwards to ensure that senior colleagues are aware of potential issues
Awareness of budget management to contain costs
Oversee the development of and delivery by PR Consultants
Where necessary, the individual will be required to travel

Qualifications and Experience