Events and Communication Manager needed at University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To provide strategic and operational leadership of CAS’s (Centre for Advancement Of Scholarship) events and communications functions. To elevate CAS’s visibility and reputation internally at UP, nationally, across Africa, and globally. To design and deliver a coherent calendar of scholarly events, seminars, and public engagements. To support research translation and stakeholder engagement through compelling, compliant, and data-driven communications. To contribute to resource mobilisation through aligned messaging, donor-facing content, and partner stewardship. 

Key responsibilities include: 

• Developing and implementing a CAS communications strategy and annual workplan aligned to UP policies and CAS’s 2026–2028 priorities;
• Defining audience segmentation, key messages, channel mix, and content calendar; ensuring brand and CI compliance (UP corporate identity); 
• Coordinating with UP central communications/marketing for alignment and amplification;
• Designing and leading CAS’s annual transdisciplinary conference: concept, programme curation, speakers, partnerships, sponsorship/host agreements, logistics, marketing, registration, and post-event outputs;
• Managing a year-round events portfolio (seminars, lectures, workshops, policy dialogues, colloquia, fellow showcases), including hybrid/virtual delivery;
• Organising fundraising events;
• Ensuring that projects associated with the Centre are appropriate for the activities of the Centre and that the funding obtained is sufficient to achieve the objectives of the projects; 
• Serving as a primary liaison for communications and events stakeholders (internal: CAS staff, fellows, students; external: funders, partners, media, service providers).
• Supporting research leads and postdoctoral fellows with profiling, knowledge translation, and event communications;
• Establishing dashboards and tracking KPIs across visibility, engagement, event participation, content performance, and media uptake;
• Providing monthly and quarterly reports to the Director and management on progress, insights, and corrective actions;
• Preparing and managing communications and events budgets; forecasting, monitoring, and controlling expenditure;
• Overseeing compliant procurement and vendor management per UP policies; verifying and tracking invoices.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Communications/Marketing’ Public Relations/Journalism, or related field;

8 years of work experience in the following work areas:

• Communications strategy and execution within academic, research, non-profit, or comparable institutional settings;
• Event strategy and end-to-end delivery, including conferences and hybrid formats.
• Content development and editing across digital, social, print, and multimedia;
• Media relations, press material development, and securing coverage;
• Brand management and CI compliance;
• Stakeholder/vendor management and cross-functional collaboration;
• Budgeting and procurement processes for communications/events.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

• Knowledge of budgeting, procurement processes, and financial compliance in communications projects;
• Knowledge of communications principles, strategies, and tools, including corporate communication, internal communication, and stakeholder engagement;
• Knowledge of marketing strategies, brand positioning, and reputation management, including alignment with institutional branding protocols;
• Knowledge of digital marketing principles, online campaigns, analytics, and social media engagement;
• Knowledge of multimedia production, graphic design principles, and digital storytelling (video, podcasts, infographics, and other related forms of content development).
• Knowledge of data analytics and metrics-driven communications, including social media metrics, website traffic analysis and campaign ROI measurement;
• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet, social media);
• Language and communication/presentation skills (written and spoken);
• Design, implement, and evaluate integrated communications strategies and workplans aligned with institutional goals;
• Tracking, evaluating, and reporting communication performance using digital tools (Google Analytics, social media insights, and survey platforms);
• Generate, curate, and edit high-quality content for print, online, social, and broadcast platforms;
• Ability to perform effectively in high-pressure or time-sensitive situations, maintaining composure, focus, and quality of output;
• Ability to work methodically and accurately, ensuring communications, reports, and outputs are free from errors and meet high standards;
• Ability to negotiate and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes while preserving relationships;
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within complex teams;
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with stakeholders at all levels (academics, students, donors, media, partners);
• Ability to represent the institute in high-level engagements with diplomacy and tact;
• Ability to use digital platforms effectively to amplify institutional messaging;
• Ability to lead and coordinate cross-functional communication projects from conception to delivery;
• Ability to mentor, coach, and develop team members and interns in communications functions;
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within complex teams.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

• Experience in higher education or research ecosystems; transdisciplinary or pan-African programmes;
• Donor/partner communications and advancement support, including impact narratives and reporting;
• Digital analytics (web, social, email) and use of dashboards for decision-making;
• Working in multicultural, multilingual contexts with sensitivity to diverse audiences;
• A valid driver’s licence;
• Marketing Association of SA;
• Digital Media and Marketing Association;
• Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa;
• Verbal and written comprehension of Francophone;
• Project management qualification.

CLOSING DATE:  20 January 2026