Manager: Corporate Communications

With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.

Job Summary

The Corporate Communications Manager is responsible for developing and implementing effective communication strategies in relation to selected Group programmes, projects, initiatives and incidents, in support of Absa Group’s strategy purpose and values to enhance the corporate brand image and protect Absa’s reputation. This role involves developing proactive and reactive communications strategies, plans and content across all Absa stakeholder groups, ensuring consistent messaging across all communication platforms.

Job Description

Integrated Communication Strategy:

1. To develop and manage the implementation of tactical Group Communications strategies and plans, by ensuring optimal implementation and adoption across the organisation.
2. Develop and manage sustainable integrated communication plans and strategies that support and align with the Group strategic intent and direction.

Communication Delivery and Content Management:

1. Write, edit, and distribute various types of communication content, including press releases, opinion editorials, social media and website content and proposals.
2. Oversee the design, content, and production of all corporate communications materials to ensure they are ready for publishing.
3. Facilitate and implement communication across platforms.
4. Where applicable, collaborate with the internal communication teams to ensure colleagues are informed and engaged.

Client/Stakeholder Relationship Management:

1. Build ongoing relationships and partnerships with management to position Corporate Communications as credible advisors in matters related to reputation management.
2. Enquire about and understand the communication needs of the stakeholders and advise appropriately on communication matters such as positioning and messaging.
3. Support internal communication in the delivery of communication tactics/events that will allow management to engage regularly with colleagues ensuring visible leadership and engaged colleagues.
4. Manage relationships with various service internal and external providers.

Media Relations:

1. Support Absa’s plans in establishing and maintaining relationships with journalists and media outlets, manage media queries and coordinate media events.
2. Ongoing monitoring of media coverage and external developments about Absa.
3. Collaborate with social media teams and relevant agencies to monitor Absa’s reputation on all media platforms.
4. Support the maintenance of media coverage and analyse communication metrics to measure the effectiveness of media relations strategies.

Reputation Management:

1. Protect Absa’s reputation and support all efforts to promote the brand internally and externally.
2. Manage communication-related issues amongst various stakeholders and manage the company’s response to crises to protect Absa Group’s brand reputation.

Reporting and Governance:

1. Draft, coordinate and deliver Communication team's written monthly reports to manage delivery and submit these reports to the Senior Manager.
2. Participate in relevant forums and Communications meetings to coordinate appropriate group-wide communication priorities.

Qualifications:

1. A qualification in Communications, Public Relations, and/or Marketing (NQF level 7).

Skills:

1. Proven experience as a Corporate Communications Manager or Media Relations manager or similar role.
2. Proven experience in communication execution.
3. Experience with content production and publication is a plus.
4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
5. Strong organisational and leadership abilities, creativity, critical thinking and commercial awareness.
6. Ability to “mine” stories and news angles and convert these into actionable communications initiatives.
7. Elevated levels of computer literacy - experience with content production and publication would be an advantage.

Knowledge and Experience:

1. Minimum of 3 to 5 years' work experience in a Corporate Communications management or a similar position.
2. Strong network of journalists across business and lifestyle media.
3. Should have experience in designing and implementing effective communications strategies.
4. Understanding of multi-geography communication strategies.

Education:

Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Communication Studies and Language (Required).

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.

Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised.