Manager: Corporate Communication (automotive)

Job Position: Manager: Corporate Communication (automotive)
Ref: 5020
Location: Johannesburg
Salary: Commensurate with qualification and experience

Qualifications / Requirements:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Journalism or related field
• 8 to 10 years of work experience in communication with extensive experience in corporate communications and media relations
Essential
• Proven leadership experience
• Proven record of developing and executing effective corporate communication and media relations strategies
• Knowledge of the communication and media channels with strong networking abilities
• Experience in interacting with stakeholders in government, the private sector, and media
• Experience in interacting with Executives at a strategic level
• Excellent writing, verbal and interpersonal skills
• Strong media relations and crisis communication experience
• Strategic thinking and planning skills
• Project management
• Negotiation skills and budget management

Key Performance Areas:
• Responsible for planning and implementing external communication activities that positively position, promote, strengthen, and protect the reputation of the company, its brands as well as Sub Saharan Africa subsidiaries
• Responsible for developing plans and executing projects and initiatives that support the broader corporate communications and marketing strategies
• Responsible for media and public relations in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa
• Develop and manage corporate communication and media relations strategies
• Identify challenges and emerging issues faced by the automotive sector, work with the leadership team to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions and develop appropriate strategies to mitigate any future reputational risks
• Manage corporate social media strategy leveraging media relations content and insights generated from social listening
• Identify and implement partnerships and sponsorships opportunities with key entities, media and influencers to reach company’s business goals and corporate positioning in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa
• Manage incidents and issues as they arise in the interest of protecting and building the company’s reputation
• Manage crisis communication plans by developing and implementing response to issues to protect the reputation of the company
• Develop executive-level content and thought leadership from concept to writing
• Develop and manage appropriate media strategies, tactical plans and content in relation to corporate announcements and events
• Research and write effective corporate media releases
• Arranging/supporting/facilitating media training for senior management and board of management
• Provide strategic key media relations services to the organisation in support of building a cohesive and bold Pan-African reputation, narrative and story