82 Public Relations Director jobs in South Africa

Overview

Head: Media Relations and Issues Management is a senior leadership role that reports to the Managing Executive Group Communications. The role is responsible for setting, enabling and driving the organisation’s media engagement strategy and managing reputational risk through proactive and reactive communications. It aims to position the organisation positively in the public domain, build trusted media relationships, and lead strategic responses to complex issues and crises. The role drives functional strategy integration and sets standards for media relations.

• Accountability: Develop and implement the Media Relations and Issues Management Strategy. Develop and execute communications strategies that support the Absa Group strategy; the CEO Office; the AGL Exco and Board – including tactical communications in line with business operations and reputation management issues, as well as proactive communications to position these stakeholders in line with the corporate ambition and in partnership with Group Public Relations.
• Provide strategic, issue and crisis communication advice (reputation management) including scanning (communication, customer and environmental insights) and issues identification, monitoring, and redress.
• Accountability: Thought leadership creation and positioning for key stakeholders. Work with Group Public Relations and Corporate Communications to position Absa Group, the CEO and the Group leadership in the market, in line with the Group strategy. Represent the Group on relevant industry bodies to influence the landscape of communications practice on the African continent.
• Accountability: Sharing of insights and best practice; educate internal stakeholders on strategic media relations. Maintain up-to-date understanding of competitor media relations activity to keep leadership informed of market activity and opportunities. Provide thought leadership to Corporate Affairs teams and communications practitioners across the Group.
• Accountability: Creation and oversight of the Media Governance Framework. Design and implementation of Absa’s media relations policy, standards, strategy, framework and governance oversight. Develop and embed a differentiated, robust group-wide media relations capability and data-driven insights for proactive and reactive media responses. Provide Media Relations subject matter expertise and advisory to business and key stakeholders.
• Accountability: Control measures. Understand and apply risk controls, complete mandatory training on time, manage risks and controls, escalate and address incidents to prevent recurrence.
• Accountability: People Management. Develop and sustain a high-performing team, establish a succession plan, and manage coaching, development, performance and engagement.

• B Degree in related field (NQF 8)
• 10+ years of strong communications experience
• 8 years in a multinational corporate communications environment
• Solid existing journalist/media relations experience and relationships
• 5 years leading and managing diverse and remote teams
• Strong crisis/issues management experience
• Experience working in complex matrix environments
• Pan African experience
• Flexibility in working after hours and/or weekends

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 and add to the diversity of the Bank. Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised.

Job Summary

The Head: Media Relations and Issues Management is a senior leadership role, that reports into the Managing Executive Group Communications, and is responsible for setting, enabling and driving the organisation’s media engagement strategy and managing reputational risk through proactive and reactive communications. This role is pivotal in positioning the organisation positively in the public domain, building trusted media relationships, and leading strategic responses to complex issues and crises. The role drives functional strategy integration and sets standards for media relations.

Key Accountabilities:

• Develop and execute communications strategies that support the Absa Group strategy; the CEO Office; the AGL Exco and Board – this includes both tactical communications in line with business operations and reputation management issues, as well as proactive communications to effectively position these stakeholders in line with the corporate ambition and in partnership with Group Public Relations.
• Provide strategic, issue and crisis communication advice (reputation management) - including formal and informal scanning (communication, customer and environmental insights) and issues identification, monitoring, and redress.

• Working closely with Group Public Relations and Corporate Communications to develop communications initiatives that will effectively position Absa Group, the CEO and the Group leadership in the market, in line with the respective focus areas as outlined in the Group strategy.
• Represent the Group on relevant industry bodies, to influence and shape the landscape of communications practice on the African continent.

• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of competitor media relations/PR/thought leadership activity – to ensure Group Communications and Corporate Affairs leadership are kept abreast of market activity and opportunities to enhance the Group’s voice and distinctiveness in the market.
• Provide thought leadership to the Corporate Affairs teams, as well as communications practitioners across the Group – to ensure the community is equipped to effectively deliver world class communications activity (innovation, new methods, new channels etc.)

• Design and implementation of Absa’s media relations policy, standards, strategy, framework and governance oversight.
• Develop and embed a differentiated, robust and consistent group-wide media relations expertise that utilises best-in-class approaches and embeds Absa’s desired media relations framework and approach.
• Design and implement robust media data analysis and insights generation to facilitate data-driven proactive and reactive media responses using strategic intelligence
• Provide Media Relations subject matter expertise and advisory to business and key stakeholders in support of the Group Communications strategy

• Understand the control measures applicable to the role through reading the Code of Conduct and other training allocated. Where responsible for risks and controls ensure that these are appropriate and fit for purpose.
• All mandatory training completed to deadline and understood within given timescales.
• Where applicable, all key risks identified, tracked, logged and managed as per the Risk Framework procedures.
• Where applicable, all key controls to have identified owners, with audit trail of regular review and maintenance together with supporting records.
• Where applicable, all risk events (incidents) or control failures to be escalated, investigated, reported and fixed at root cause to prevent reoccurrence.

• Develop and sustain a high performing team in line with Absa’s desired culture, people management practices, standards and target colleague experience, including effective coaching, development, performance management and engagement.
• Establish and maintain a succession plan for key roles in your team in line with Absa’s talent management practices.

• Strategic agility and sound judgment under pressure.
• Business Acumen
• Customer focus
• Results orientation
• Problem solving and issues management
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills.
• High emotional intelligence and resilience.
• Ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments.
• Media-savvy with a proactive and solutions-oriented mindset.
• Commercial acumen
• Innovation
• Inspirational people leadership
• Collaboration and Influencing

• B Degree in related field NQF 8
• 10+ years of strong communications experience
• 8 years in a multinational corporate communications environment
• Solid existing journalist/media relations experience and relationships
• 5years leading and managing diverse and remote teams
• Strong crisis/issues management experience
• Working in complex matrix environments
• Pan African experience
• Flexibility in working after hours and/or over weekends

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

MSL South Africa is part of one of the largest Public Relations (PR) and strategic communications networks in the world - MSL, as well as the PR & Influencer arm of Publicis Groupe Africa (PGA). Through its diverse skills base, coupled with cutting edge PR and Influencer platforms, MSL seeks out the places that build Influence and deliver measurable Impact for its clients, while also safeguarding their brand reputation in an ever-evolving global environment.

As an Account Director at MSL, you have overall responsibility for your portfolio/s of clients, which may be expanded from time-to-time to include other MSL teams and clients. You will be required to lead the teams managing this / these portfolio/s to deliver on all PR requirements for the clients under your purview. You are a trusted advisor and consultant for all the clients in your portfolio/streams – they come to you directly to escalate matters/with matters of importance.

With the help of your team (i.e. intern/AA/AE/AM/SAM), you ensure the smooth running of all your accounts – with a focus on ensuring your stream is profitable and your clients are happy.

• Account management: Demonstrate real-time knowledge of client activities, ensuring that all operational hygiene activities happen smoothly (status documents updates, contact reports etc.), take overall ownership for initiatives on your accounts, and ensure that your team is meeting the agreed-to client scope of work.
• Delegation: Demonstrate ability to effectively delegate tasks to your team, while still ensuring timeous completion and quality of work.
• Project management skills: Take responsibility for the management of specific projects from start-to-finish, whether doing the project or overseeing your team’s implementation.
• Selling ideas: Demonstrate advanced presentation and persuasion/influencing skills.
• Strategy: Develop strategic and tactical client proposals, and work with your AM/SAM to develop bespoke plans and calendars for clients.
• Writing: Demonstrate an ability to write effective content for your full client portfolio and display excellent editing skills, giving guidance to team members on their writing; ensure the team effectively briefs the content team when specialist help is needed.
• Media relations: Ensure that journalist relationship-building initiatives are driven within the team, across your full client portfolio, display an excellent knowledge of the South African media landscape (and an interest in the broader African media landscape), maintain solid media relationships, and oversee the effective running of your team’s entire media relations process.
• Pitching skills: Write and pitch (or oversee your team’s writing and pitching of) excellent quality, relevant story angles to targeted media, displaying creativity and an understanding of newsworthiness.
• Research: Demonstrate strong research skills, and assimilation and presentation of information.
• MSL Newsdesk: Participate in 1 x weekly newsdesk/media meeting and ensure relevant news and angles are marked and shared with clients.
• Media lists: Work with SAM/AM to ensure that your team regularly updates media lists, informs the broader agency of media changes, compiles tailored media lists per client content piece (which are saved to the server), and ensures that master client media lists are kept updated.

• Quality: Consistently deliver quality work to professional, MSL standards, and ensure quality output from your team prior to submitting to client.
• Detail-oriented: Execute unwavering attention to detail in all aspects, when reviewing or drafting documents, articles, presentations, emails and all other communiques.
• Proactive upskilling: Constantly work to ensure, within your team, an excellent understanding of content for all clients (even beyond your portfolio), your clients’ industries, and that both you and your team stay abreast of the broader news environment to spot opportunities for media conversation building. Proactively identify areas in which your team/team members are less skilled, and work to upskill your team in these areas.
• Proactive learning: Demonstrate use of the Marcel Classes portal and other internal training tools/sessions to upskill yourself, taking initiative and responsibility for your learning journey. Encourage this same approach within your team.
• Time management: Ensure both you and your team are managing your time effectively.
• Profile: Manage and build your own profile within your team and the broader agency.

• Client relations: Demonstrate excellent client relationships, ability to manage their expectations and to mitigate risks and issues as early on as possible, while guiding them in a strategic direction appropriate to their goals.
• Understanding: Perfect a detailed, thorough and informed understanding of your clients’ businesses and knowledge of their competitors, for effective idea generation. Demonstrate value to your clients by keeping them abreast of competitor news, and encourage same within your team.
• Reviews: Take overall responsibility for planning, compiling and editing of client review documents/presentations/reports, and lead/participate in client review meetings with your team.

• Billing: Accurately review billing arrangements for clients, and ensure monthly billing is done timeously by your team.
• Profitability: Track hours and billing closely to ensure your stream is profitable.
• Timesheets: Ensure your team (including you) demonstrates effective time recording and reporting (daily, accurate data logged on Chase, as per Groupe deadlines).
• Coverage: Ensure daily coverage tracking, regular reports and timeous client coverage updates are executed by your team.
• Reporting: Ensure quality, timeous monthly reports are delivered by your team, and drive new reporting ideas, processes and efficiencies wherever improvements can be made.
• The MSL Way: Live MSL’s company values in all professional interactions and work.
• Know the agency and Publicis Groupe Africa (PGA): Demonstrate familiarity with both MSL and PGA’s organisational structures and offerings, and, where possible, cross-sell Power of One solutions to clients.
• Management meeting: Attend bi-monthly management meetings (compulsory).

• Demonstrate an ability to identify opportunities for new business and organic growth of existing business and business retention.
• Display an ability to draft excellent proposals and pitch presentation skills.
• Focus on developing solutions to business problems for clients, and where possible, see how PGA’s Power of One solution can be driven within the work that you do for clients.

• Assist with key staffing decisions, including facilitating/managing interviews where necessary.
• Demonstrate an ability to act as a leader, role model and mentor for junior staff, and be an ambassador for the company.
• Conduct appraisals for AM/SAM. Ensure that SAM/AM is conducting for AEs, etc. (and sit in on these, if necessary).
• Drive (or ensure that AM/SAM drives) personal development activities for junior staff (i.e. coaching, workshop development, etc.).
• Actively look to maintain and build positive working relationships with colleagues.

• A tertiary qualification in Public Relations.
• Minimum 6 years working experience in a PR Agency.
• Experience working on short-term Insurance/Finance clients (is essential).
• A good command of the English language (both verbal and written).
• Strong organizational skills.
• A good grasp and understanding of the South African media landscape.
• Proficient on all platforms of social media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok etc.).

Personality Attributes:

• Team player with the ability to work independently.
• Able to remain calm in a highly pressurized environment.
• Ability to lead and mentor a team.
• Resilient.
• Accountable.
• Proactive.
• Energetic.
• Creative “out of the box” strategic thinker.
• Meticulous with attention to detail.
• Other:
• Flexible to work beyond normal office hours (overtime if and when required).
• Comfortable and willing to work on alcohol brands.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not hear from us within 2 weeks after submitting your application, please consider your application as unsuccessful.

Publicis Groupe is proud to be an Equal opportunity employer and prohibits any forms of Discrimination or Harassment. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees in line with our Employment Equity Plan. All appointments will be based on qualifications, experience and best fit but preference will be given to all candidates from designated groups.

Publicis Groupe is the third largest communications group in the world, a leader in marketing, communication and digital business transformation. As a platform at the intersection of marketing and digital business transformation, driven through the alchemy of creativity and technology, Publicis Groupe is built on The Power of One.

Join to apply for the PR Account Director (Consumer) role at Accenture in South Africa .

We are seeking an Account Director to work on a portfolio of leading consumer brand clients. The successful candidate must have extensive experience working on Brand Earned Media clients and campaigns, with specific experience in consumer goods, lifestyle, and entertainment. Candidate should have Influencer Management experience and understand the insights and trends around this essential PR tool. It is imperative that the successful candidate keeps abreast of all Earned Media, PR and Influencer trends, within industry best practices.

Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):

• Senior client lead and team lead, interprets, develops, and manages strategy for clients and ensures that all plans are delivered and are in line with scope of work.
• Manage client expectations and service delivery by being a focal point for day-to-day interaction and take responsibility for the delivery of exceptional work.
• Build and manage client business and relationships, taking ultimate responsibility for client relationships with senior client contacts as well as senior business contacts and be a strategic business partner.
• Develops the PR strategy aligned with client’s business imperatives and ensures efficient execution to deliver to the highest quality.
• Ensures all work produced by team is of the highest standard and demonstrates creativity, attention-to-detail, contemporary thinking, use of new approaches and links to overall strategy and supports clients' business objectives.
• Actively ensures that team members grow and develop into strong Earned Media professionals, through growth opportunities, upskilling, delegation, accountability, and mentoring.
• Responsible for overall ‘health’ and happiness of client team.
• Expert at delivering content and solutions that speak to full PESO model (Paid, Earned, Shared, Owned).
• Expert in at least one communication area (e.g. media relations, influencer relations, content).
• Handles all contractual and financial aspects of client relationship including scope of work, client KPIs, team resourcing and hour allocation, budget tracking and management, including renegotiating annual retainer increase.
• Manages profitability of team, over- and under-servicing trends in team and proactively manages to correct.
• Ensures financial admin (Workbook) is running smoothly and accurately.
• Actively looks for opportunities to sell-in new projects, services or organically grow clients in other ways.
• Leads and participates in new business pitches.
• Supports Practice Lead in driving and growing Earned Media through new business, new products and new thinking.
• Ability to manage different personalities and always strive to get the best out of everyone.
• Keep abreast of industry (Earned Media) trends to add additional value to your client’s business.
• Should understand the evolving nuances of the consumer PR landscape and be able to strategically advise clients on tools, tactics and platforms best suited to brand and brief.
• Should have Influencer Management experience in all aspects of the process from sourcing to reporting including knowledge of key social media platforms influencers frequent and how to tactically use the platforms.
• Candidate will be expected to show proactivity and fresh thinking when it comes to planning and reverts.

• Relevant tertiary qualification in PR and/or Communications.
• Minimum 8 years working experience in PR Agency (or in a similar environment).
• Proficient in MS Office (i.e. Word / Excel / PowerPoint etc).
• Traditional and Digital Earned Media experience is essential (well versed in Digital).
• Strong command of the English language (both verbal and written).
• Strong presentation skills.
• Strong administrative and organisational skills.
• Strong numerical skills (financial & budget management experience).
• Strong multitasking skills (ability to work on more than one client at any given time).

• Team player with the ability to work independently.
• Ability to remain calm in a fast paced environment.
• Creative out of the box thinker.
• People focused including being approachable, emotionally intelligent, empathetic and compassionate.
• Proactive.
• Resilient.
• Curious and analytical.
• Deadline driven.
• Solution driven.
• Meticulous with attention to detail.
• Able to work on site in office and visit clients.

PR Account Director (Corporate) role at Accenture in South Africa. We are seeking a Cape Town-based PR Account Director to work on a portfolio of leading corporate and financial services clients. The successful candidate must have extensive experience in corporate Earned Media, with specific experience in corporate communications and ideally, financial services. The role requires staying abreast of Earned Media, PR and Influencer trends in line with industry best practices.

• Senior client lead and team lead, interprets, develops, and manages strategy for clients and ensures that all plans are delivered and are in line with scope of work.
• Manage client expectations and service delivery by being a focal point for day-to-day interaction and take responsibility for the delivery of exceptional work.
• Build and manage client business and relationships, taking ultimate responsibility for client relationships with senior client contacts as well as senior business contacts and be a strategic business partner.
• Develops the PR strategy aligned with client7s business imperatives and ensures efficient execution to deliver to the highest quality.
• Ensures all work produced by the team is of the highest standard and demonstrates creativity, attention to detail, contemporary thinking, use of new approaches, and links to overall strategy and supports clients' business objectives.
• Actively ensures that team members grow and develop into strong Earned Media professionals, through growth opportunities, upskilling, delegation, accountability, and mentoring.
• Responsible for overall ‘health’ and happiness of the client team.
• Expert at delivering content and solutions that speak to the full PESO model (Paid, Earned, Shared, Owned).
• Expert in at least one communication area (e.g. media relations, influencer relations, content).
• Handles all contractual and financial aspects of the client relationship including scope of work, client KPIs, team resourcing and hour allocation, budget tracking and management, including renegotiating annual retainer increases.
• Manages profitability of the team, monitors over- and under-servicing trends, and proactively takes steps to correct them.
• Ensures financial administration (Workbook) is running smoothly and accurately.
• Actively looks for opportunities to sell in new projects, services, or organically grow clients in other ways.
• Leads and participates in new business pitches.
• Supports Practice Lead in driving and growing Earned Media through new business, new products, and new thinking.
• Ability to manage different personalities and always strive to get the best out of each individual.
• Keep abreast of industry (Earned Media) trends to add additional value to your client’s business.

• Relevant tertiary qualification in PR and/or Business Communications.
• Minimum 8 years working experience in PR Agency (or in a similar environment).
• Proficient in MS Office (i.e. Word / Excel / PowerPoint etc).
• Traditional and Digital Earned Media experience is essential (well versed in Digital).
• Strong command of the English language (both verbal and written).
• Strong presentation skills.
• Strong administrative and organisational skills.
• Strong numerical skills (financial & budget management experience).
• Strong multitasking skills (ability to work on more than one client at any given time).

• Team player with the ability to work independently.
• Ability to remain calm in a fast-paced environment.
• Creative “out of the box” thinker.
• People-focused including being approachable, emotionally intelligent, empathetic and compassionate.
• Proactive.
• Resilient.
• Curious and analytical.
• Deadline-driven.
• Solution-driven.
• Meticulous with attention to detail.

Able to work on-site/in office and visit clients.

• Director

• Full-time

• Project Management, Sales, and Business Development

• Business Consulting and Services

This is an opportunity to join a dynamic, full-service agency, driven by a team of go-getters, who are passionate about providing their clients with nothing but the very best levels of service excellence.

They need to bolster their public relations client service team with a senior PR consultant at the account director level, who has the ability to take responsibility for a team to work on a diverse client portfolio. Ideally, you will have at least eight years' experience in an accredited PR agency in servicing a mixed industry sector client base.

The person:

• To be considered for this role, you need to have held a senior position role in an accredited PR agency for eight + years. 
• It goes without saying then, that you will need to be a cut above the rest - with the drive, ability and experience to make a difference.
• If you have not heard from us within one week of sending your CV, please accept your application as unsuccessful.

Requirements:

• A tertiary degree or diploma in communications or public relations
• It is essential that you have a minimum of 8-10 years' experience within PR consultancies, of which 5 years plus would have been at the management level
• Experience working on a mixed (hybrid) portfolio is essential.
• Superb people skills and extensive media contacts
• An outstanding ability to conceptualise and implement communication strategies and campaigns
• Excellent communication and presentation skills are required, as are writing skills and a high command of the English language.

To apply:  

If you have an impeccable track record of service within an accredited PR Agency - Please send your CV ASAP.

To register a confidential Profile, visit Resources on Tap at

Note:  Preference will be given to previously disadvantaged candidates

POSITION PURPOSE

The Public Relations Manager provides the Regional Marketing Manager with any support required in terms of communication with suppliers, tenants, clients and public.

1. Assumes responsibility for the following tasks regarding marketing
2. Develop and execute innovative PR strategies aligned with shopping Centre’s objectives
3. Assist with Tenant Liaison, customer Liaison and Public Relations.
4. Write and distribute high-impact press releases, speeches, articles, and executive communications.
5. Monitoring local publications, social media, Tenant advertising and community opportunities
6. Drafting the monthly and ad hoc marketing reports and tenant communications.
7. Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key media outlets, journalists, and influencers.
8. Schedule and organise tenant meetings and marketing meetings.
9. General support to the Regional Marketing Manager
10. General support to Centre Management as required (adhoc reception duties when short staffed)
11. Proactively identify opportunities for positive media exposure and thought leadership.
12. Manage all media inquiries, interviews, press conferences, and public appearances.
13. Lead crisis communication strategies and protect the brand's reputation during critical moments.
14. Collaborate closely with marketing, digital, and leadership teams to ensure brand consistency across all communication channels.
15. Produce engaging content for newsletters, blogs, social media, and internal communications.
16. Monitor and analyze media coverage, providing actionable insights and regular performance reports.
17. Organize and support high-profile events, promotional initiatives, and industry functions.
18. Oversee and update website content; ensure SEO and branding consistency
19. Manage and grow social media accounts aligned with business goals
20. Monitor online reputation and ensure accurate listings across platforms
21. Ensure brand consistency across all group companies and communications
22. Support brand guideline updates and cross-brand alignment
23. Tenant Communication
24. Turnover collection
25. Site inspection
26. Social media content
27. Create marketing and social media campaigns and strategies, including budget planning, content ideation and implementation schedules.
28. Create integrated and cost-effective social media strategies.

1. Typing is accurate, neat, and promptly completed.
2. Telephone calls and visitors are courteously received. Client and management inquiries are attended. Good Business relations exist with Clients. A professional image is projected and maintained.
3. Documents and reports are accurately produced and up-to-date. Files are well-maintained.
4. Good communication and coordination exist with area personnel and with management. Assistance is provided as needed. Management is appropriately informed.
5. Assistance to all Marketing requirements for the Shopping Centre’s and the Regional Marketing Manager.

Matric.
A marketing or PR diploma or certificate preferred.
Secretarial certificate

Understanding of marketing, advertising, public relations, media.
Understanding of sales and promotion techniques .
Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications.

Minimum two years experience in a marketing environment,

Proficient communication and typing skills.
Able to perform dictation and transcription tasks.
Good interpersonal and public relations skills.
Analytical, creative, and problem-solving abilities.
Able to use graphic art tools and supplies.