MANAGER EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA RELATIONS

Description   This role is responsible for managing and implementing Vodacom corporate external communications including Media relations, PR strategies, awards, corporate publications, events and plans in order to reinforce the organization’s brand image and reputation through planned corporate campaigns and PR activity.
This will include designing and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships with key business units and to provide an external communications advice and support service in implementing the integrated corporate communications campaigns planned during the year along four central themes.
-    Content Development -    Public Relations  -    Event Management, -    Corporate Collateral and Website PR content  development and regular update.
As External communication, PR and Event Manager, he will organize and oversee PR activities and ensure effective communication with stakeholders, media and the public.
He should be an organized and cool-tempered professional who is able to handle a crisis.
He should have a creative mind and excellent communication skills.
In addition, He should be familiar with both local and international media industry and the basic principles of journalism.
This role will also work with the group external communications and Media team to drive the global communications strategy, uncovering and telling the best stories to increase the awareness and reputation of Vodacom, and measuring results through monthly, quarterly and annual reporting.
As a competent External communication, Public Relations and Event Manager, his role is to shape and protect Vodacom corporate image in ways that promote our business, values and mission.
Key accountabilities and decision ownership       Strengthen, promote and protect Vodacom's reputation through PR communications and events.
    Formulate and execute communication/PR strategies and plans with the aim of building the company's image with the public and stakeholders.
    Disseminate corporate communications and messages through various communication channels (company website, social media, newsletters, press releases, publications, online events, etc.).
    Oversee the creation of communications materials to ensure they are consistent with the corporate communications strategy, including white papers, website copy, and other corporate communications materials and publications (brochures, reports, studies, case studies, magazine, articles, videos, op-ed,editors, social media posts, etc.).
    Oversee the updating of corporate content for the company's website and other company online platforms intended to facilitate corporate communication.
    Manage all corporate social media content, strategy and communications.
    Oversee the company's knowledge management tools.
    Write and distribute press releases, speeches, talking points, briefings, announcements and other public relations texts.
    Improve company voice and presence through online and offline channels.
Provide training and support to corporate head office and field office staff who require communication support.
    Monitor media including newspapers, magazines, journals, broadcasts, news wires, social media sites and blogs for opportunities for Vodacom.
    Reach out to influencers, media and beyond in order to arrange story placement on a national and global level.
    Liaising with the Copywriter for content finalization, and undertaking graphics design in a manner that is consistent with the branding and communication guidelines of the organization.
    Coordinating with relevant third parties, such as creative agencies, event organizers and other vendors for marketing the media selected in order to implement marketing and communications initiatives smoothly.
    Define key performance indicators for each communications channel that will indicate a campaign’s level of success.
    Plan and organize PR events (e.
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open days, fairs, press conferences, exhibitions, open days and press, tours, etc.) and serve as the company’s spokesperson     Seek opportunities for partnerships, sponsorships and co-branding.
    Manage media relations and requests.
Address inquiries from the media and other parties.
    Be knowledgeable in  media  coverage  digital tools to track and follow industry trends.
    Prepare and submit PR and media reports.
    Manage PR issues by presenting solutions in times of PR crisis.
Manage the PR aspect of a potential crisis situation.
    Work with the PR agency to identify and tell compelling stories to key external stakeholders     Collaborate with internal teams (e.
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marketing) and maintain open communication with senior management.
    Maintain collaborative working relationships with communications teams across the Group.
    Undertake ad hoc special projects to support as required.
Core competencies, knowledge and experience   -    Passionate about Communications, Public relation and Event -    Proven experience in all forms of communication activities, including media relations and briefings, blogs, executive scripts and storytelling.
-    Proven success designing and executing communications strategies and campaigns.
-    Experience building an organization’s reputation for thought leadership.
-    Incorporate Public Release, Digital and Traditional Marketing efforts.
-    Measure and analyze current communications efforts.
-    Oversee and allocate the annual communications budget and ensure its use is fully maximized.
-    Work with the marketing departments to generate new ideas and innovative strategies where necessary.
-    Experience with events management and planning online events with global participants.
-    Experience with Digital corporate communication channels including social media, websites, Vlogs, Podcasts, creating audio and visual content and other digital tools.
-    Strong understanding of target audiences -    Excellent organizational and project management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
-    Must be able to think analytically and strategically.
-    Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders of all levels -    Strong storytelling and communications skills with excellent writing skills -    Self-starter.
comfortable with ambiguity, able to identify priority areas of focus -and deliver high quality and meaningful objectives - with minimal guidance.
-    Experience managing media relations (online, broadcast and print) -    Previous experience working with senior executives -    Ability to manage high ambitions and conflicting goals from a wide range of stakeholders, to successfully reach impactful and pragmatic solutions -    Experience in working with virtual teams across locations to achieve common objectives -    Great multitasker and capable of simultaneously managing multiple projects with different deadlines.
-    Good influencing ability, confident and challenging when appropriate.
-    Experience working in the technology sector -    Design knowledge and agency working process knowledge -    Familiarity with project management software and video/photo editing is a plus -    Excellent organizational skills -    Ability to work well under pressure -    Creativity and problem-solving aptitude -    Must have technical and professional qualifications -    BSc/BA in Public Relations, Communications, Creative Design, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing or related field -    More than 2 years of proven experience in internal communications, journalism, agency or related experience.
-    Around 5 years of experience in corporate communications and public relations and/or related agency work Ideally, a good understanding of the telecoms industry Key performance indicators   -    Reputation global score – and Driver target (Rep-track).
describes the character of the relationship between Vodacom and its stakeholders -    Global Net Promoter Score (NPS).
is a gauge of our people’s willingness to recommend Vodacom’s products and services to a friend or colleague.
-    Coverage report -    Social media dashboard.
Like, share, see, comments, reach, engagement, sentiment, etc.
-    Social Listening.
This report analyzes conversations related to Vodacom DRC and Other players in the industry across Online and Social Media channels.
-    E-reputation.
Overview of Vodacom’s public digital footprint (e-reputation) Commitment from Vodacom Vodacom is committed to attracting, developing and retaining the very best people by offering a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace in which talent is truly recognized, developed and rewarded.
We believe that diversity plays an important role in the success of our business and we are committed to creating an inclusive work environment which respects, values, celebrates and makes the most of people’s individual differences - we are not only multinational but multicultural too.
At Vodacom you will have access to our excellent flexible benefits programme that you would expect from any global company.