Specialist, Public Relations needed at Standard Bank Group

Job Description

Grow and contribute to SBSA/BUs reputation, brand and image, through Public Relations strategies and plans by building media/PR relationships and leveraging PR/media knowledge and experience. To drive positive and proactive media/ brand and reputation outcomes for the bank / BU, through strategic relationship management, campaign planning and implementation, external communication plans, content development, in order to enhance the reputation of the bank and realise commercial benefits.

Qualifications

• A degree in Communication, Public Relations

Experience:

• 5-7 years Experience and exposure to the financial services industry. Experience in dealing with diverse media outlets and demonstrate experience in interacting with media.

Additional Information

Key Responsibilities:

• Using the BU brand aspirations as input, develop compelling Public Relations (PR) and external communication plans which drive positive media coverage, and in so doing build the banks brand and reputation. Identify opportunities for building strategic relationships with relevant media stakeholders, such as journalists, editors, and other media professionals. Build and nurture media relationships, so that in an extremely competitive landscape, we can secure prime features to enhance the brand and reputation.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to seek out PR opportunities that will build brand and reputation, aligning communication and PR plans with business roadmaps to ensure relevance and that opportunities are not missed. Create, and drive out campaigns which generate positive media coverage, through compelling content plans and story angles that will elevate the bank’s positioning ahead of competitors.
• Collaborate and inspire creative teams to produce visual and multimedia content which achieves the strategic intent of the campaign and contributes to realising commercial benefits for the bank. Craft convincing media motivations that in turn lead to prominent interviews, features, and placements in various media outlets, to increase visibility and coverage. Craft press releases which convey the appropriate strategic messaging, and prepare media kits that enable information to be effectively distributed to the media.
• Take ownership of responses to media inquiries and requests in a timely and accurate manner, so that overall reputation is protected and no opportunities for ‘fake news’ are created. Facilitate media training within the business so that internal stakeholders are properly equipped to engage with media in a way that protects the reputation of the bank. Ensure adherence to all policy and procedure which informs and governs Public Relations and relations with outside stakeholders in general.
• In the event of a crisis or issue which requires reputation management, understand, and assimilate the key messages to be conveyed and develop communication plans which deliver the correct information, through the most suited channels, to all intended audiences.
• Develop factual and non-emotive communication material which protects the banks reputation and brand when there is the threat of an issue that requires careful messaging. This includes the development of media holding statements when required.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Checking Details
• Embracing Change
• Examining Information
• Interpreting Data
• Meeting Timescales
• Producing Output
• Providing Insights
• Pursuing Goals
• Showing Composure
• Taking Action
• Team Working
• Upholding Standards

Technical Competencies:

• Brand Reputation Management
• Crisis Communication
• Environmental Scanning
• Financial Acumen
• Leadership to Stakeholder Engagement
• Managing Corporate Identity
• Media and Public Relations
• Target Audience Engagement
• Writing and Editing