Senior Media Liaison Officer

Placements24; O Mente; Hybrid; EUR 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Flexible working

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Media Liaison Officer for a major public-sector economic development entity. The role is fully remote, focused on media relations, strategic communications, and public messaging across South Africa.

The successful candidate will craft press materials, pitch stories, monitor coverage, and advise senior leaders on communications strategy. Extensive media networks and crisis communication experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in PR, communications, journalism.
• 8+ years in media relations or PR with strategic outreach.
• Proven track record of securing extensive positive media coverage and managing reputation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including pitching and storytelling.
• Established network of national/regional SA media contacts.
• Experience in crisis communication and rapid response.
• Proficient with media monitoring, analysis, and distribution platforms.
• Ability to work autonomously in a fully remote setting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute media liaison strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
• Cultivate relationships with journalists, broadcasters, and digital media outlets.
• Craft press releases, media advisories, backgrounders, and other materials.
• Pitch stories and secure positive media coverage.
• Monitor media coverage, analyze sentiment, and report to senior management.
• Serve as primary contact for media inquiries and interview logistics.
• Develop and implement crisis communication plans for sensitive situations.
• Provide media training and guidance to spokespeople.
• Manage and update the media contact database.

Skills

Media relations

Public relations

Journalism

Strategic outreach

Pitching

Storytelling

Crisis communication

Media monitoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism

Tools

Media monitoring platforms

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent public sector entity focused on economic development, is seeking an accomplished Senior Media Liaison Officer to join their communications department. This is a fully remote position, ideal for a seasoned PR professional who thrives in a flexible, results-oriented environment. You will be responsible for managing media relations, developing strategic communication materials, and ensuring the effective dissemination of information to the public and key stakeholders. The role demands a deep understanding of media dynamics, excellent storytelling abilities, and a proven track record of building strong relationships with journalists and influencers across South Africa. Your expertise will be crucial in shaping the narrative and enhancing the public profile of our client's initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive media liaison strategies to support organizational objectives.
• Cultivate and maintain strong, proactive relationships with journalists, broadcasters, and digital media outlets.
• Craft compelling press releases, media advisories, backgrounders, and other communication materials.
• Proactively pitch stories and secure positive media coverage that aligns with organizational priorities.
• Monitor media coverage extensively, analyze sentiment, and provide timely reports to senior management.
• Serve as a key point of contact for media inquiries, managing interview requests and logistics.
• Develop and implement crisis communication plans to effectively manage sensitive situations.
• Provide media training and guidance to organizational spokespeople.
• Manage and update the organization's media contact database.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in media relations, public relations, or journalism, with a strong focus on strategic outreach.
• Demonstrated success in securing extensive positive media coverage and managing corporate/organizational reputation.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including outstanding pitching and storytelling capabilities.
• An established network of media contacts across national and regional South African media.
• Proven experience in crisis communication management and rapid response is essential.
• Proficiency with media monitoring, analysis, and distribution platforms.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage complex projects in a fully remote setting.
• Strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and political acumen are highly valued.

Benefits

• Highly competitive annual salary of ZAR .
• Fully remote working arrangement, offering unparalleled flexibility.
• Opportunity to influence public perception and drive positive change through communication.
• Engage with impactful projects within the economic development sector.
• Continuous professional development and opportunities for growth.
• A supportive and collaborative remote team environment.