Advisor External Communications

TransUnion; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 450 000 - 650 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading information services company located in Johannesburg is seeking an Advisor in Marketing Communications. This hybrid role involves managing external communications for the Africa region, developing PR programs, and collaborating with senior executives to enhance corporate reputation. Essential qualifications include over 7 years of experience in strategic communications and outstanding communication skills. The position requires close work with diverse teams to deliver impactful PR initiatives.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in similar role(s), preferably both agency and in-house.
• Ability to write, pitch, and present compelling content.
• Strong track record in strategic communication programs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver an integrated Africa PR program.
• Support wider corporate and communications strategy.
• Protect the company's reputation during crisis communications.

Skills

Exceptional communication skills

Stakeholder management

Multitasking ability

Media knowledge

Education

Degree educated & relevant professional training

Job description

At TransUnion, a leader in the information services industry, we've made a habit of impacting the world around us. Our commitment to technology is second to none. In our environment, we constantly encourage new ideas and new thinking from our employees, and thus our continued growth is assured.

The Africa Advisor External Communications

The Africa Advisor External Communications is responsible for the corporate positioning of the business in South Africa and Rest of Africa (including Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Eswatini and Zambia). It is responsible for building the reputation of the company as a global information and insights company that makes trust possible in global commerce. It supports and where appropriate leads crisis/incident work and develops and implements insights and issues-based campaign activity aligned to the wider in-region business strategy. They also write and support selected client communications that impact on our corporate reputation.

They report to the Africa Head of Corporate Communications (Senior Manager). They are a member of the Corporate Affairs & Communications team globally, and work closely with the Global Brand Management & Marketing teams.

The role includes working with the wider Marketing (Africa, International and Global) team to successfully support and deploy demand generation and brand awareness activity. This role has a close working relationship with the International Social Media team and will draw on the wider international writing and design capabilities.

The role works with wider Enterprise teams to promote our mission and strategy and the value we bring to the markets we are in.

Along with the Africa Head of Corporate Communications, the role works with Senior Executives and Directors to develop the TransUnion Africa corporate story, both sharing and learning from best practice and wider Enterprise corporate messaging.

The Africa Advisor External Communications is flexible in their duties (often assisting other disciplines and wider functions). Internal communications isn’t the focus of this role but where corporate reputation or project-specific work dictates, this may be required. Importantly, this role also supports and delivers combined TUA and GCCA PR work (taking a one TU approach), liaising closely and collaborating with the Africa Internal Communications Manager who supports in-region internal communications (TUA and GCCA) and has wider GCCA responsibilities.

The role will manage external agencies and budgets. It does not have line management responsibility.

What You'll Bring

Experience & Qualifications

• Exceptional communication skills, including ability to write, pitch and present compelling content
• Strong track record developing, executing and measuring the success of strategic communication programs leveraging a variety of digital and traditional channels
• Strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills with the ability to influence
• Quick assimilation of complicated and technical information
• Well organised self-starter with the ability to multitask
• Strong media knowledge o Degree educated & relevant professional training
• 7+ years of experience in similar role(s) (agency or in-house – preferably both)

Additional Advantages

• Project management (formal or informal)
• Experience of operating in a digital-first environment (including maintaining CMS for online newsroom)
• Experience of other complementary disciplines (e.g. social media and other communication channels/marketing disciplines)
• Experience working in information services and/or financial services

Impact You'll Make

• Develop and deliver an integrated Africa PR program (includes TUA and GCCA), with alignment to wider international and global frameworks/ processes
• Working with the Africa Head of Corporate Communications, support wider corporate, and communications (and marketing) strategy, including but not limited to product announcements, research insights/thought leadership, wider brand building activity, partner and employer of choice programs
• Communicating our corporate comms PR strategy, messaging, content and importantly measurement to key stakeholders and ensuring alignment
• Support senior spokespeople and coach them on best practice interview technique and key messages
• Protect the company's reputation as a key member of the crisis/incident communications team
• Advise on wider related communication matters (speeches/events etc.) and provide adhoc ‘consultancy’ advice directly to senior team and wider functions as required
• Support and deliver combined TUA and GCCA PR activity (taking a one TU approach)
• Writes and supports priority client communications that impact our corporate reputation

This is a hybrid position and involves regular performance of job responsibilities virtually as well as in-person at an assigned TU office location for a minimum of two days a week.

TransUnion Job Title: Advisor, Marketing Communications