Communication Specialist: Innovation and Commercialisation

Stellenbosch University; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Stellenbosch University seeks a Communication Specialist for its Innovation and Commercialisation Division. The successful candidate will manage strategic communications, media relations, and content development. Strong experience in a media environment, proficiency in Afrikaans and English, and exceptional writing skills are essential. This role offers an opportunity to shape the university's communications strategy and enhance its visibility.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience in a media/corporate communication environment.
• Proficiency in both Afrikaans and English.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communication strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Manage media relations, including press releases and queries.
• Compile management reports and develop content for various channels.

Skills

Excellent writing ability

Exceptional interpersonal skills

Digital communication knowledge

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism, communication, or related field

National diploma in journalism or communication

Tools

MailChimp

Adobe Illustrator

Canva Design

Job description

Department Description/Departement Beskrywing

Innovation and Commercialisation Division

Communication Specialist: Innovation and Commercialisation (Post Level 10)

(Stellenbosch Campus)

Ref. INV/128/0625

The Innovation and Commercialisation Division at Stellenbosch University (SU) comprises the of Technology Transfer, Copyright, Trade Marks and Short Courses, SUNCOM, LaunchLab and SU Enterprises and its group of companies. It forms part of SU's Responsibility Centre (RC): Operations and Finance under the Chief Operating Officer.

Afdeling Innovasie en Kommersialisering

Kommunikasiespesialis: Innovasie en Kommersialisering (Posvlak 10)

(Stellenbosch-kampus)

Verw. INV/128/0625

Die Afdeling Innovasie en Kommersialisering by die Universiteit Stellenbosch (US) bestaan uit Tegnologie-oordrag, Kopiereg, Handelsmerke en Kort Kursusse, SUNCOM, LaunchLab en die US Enterprises (USE) en sy groep maatskappye. Dit vorm deel van die US se Verantwoordelikheidsentrum (VS): Bedryf en Finansies onder die Uitvoerende Bedryfshoof.

Duties/Pligte

• Strategic communications and marketing: Aligning the Division's communication and marketing strategies with that of the RC Operations and Finance; developing and implementing short- and long-term communications plans and campaigns; and ensuring effective liaison and coordination with the Communications Specialist in the Office of the COO and the Corporate Communications and Marketing Division.
• Media relations: Identifying and creating opportunities for positive media coverage that will enhance the visibility of the Division and its departments to the various target audiences; in liaison with SU's media office, developing and distributing media releases and managing possible media queries; using and promoting staff members (experts in their fields) as spokespeople in media channels, such as broadcast, radio, podcasts, etc.; continuously monitoring media coverage and developing proactive media material for issues that might influence the Department and the bigger University's brand and reputation.
• Content development, news article development and reporting: Developing content for internal and external news/features distribution, for newsletter(s), websites, and social media channels; compile the Division's management reports for the Rectorate and Council (submitting to the Office of the COO).
• Transformation communication: Developing integrated communications strategies for change and transformation in the Department in line with the University's goals.
• Communications management: Identifying communication risks, issues, challenges, and opportunities that could impact the Division; developing effective crisis communication strategies; ensuring close collaboration between the Division and the Trade Mark Department to comply with trade mark approval on marketing; ensuring and overseeing the effective implementation of SU's language policy and brand across all divisions.
• Internal communications: Identifying communication risks, issues, challenges, and opportunities that could impact the Division; developing effective crisis communication strategies; ensuring close collaboration between the Division and the Trade Mark Department to comply with trade mark approval on marketing; ensuring and overseeing the effective implementation of SU's language policy and brand across all divisions.
• Know-how: Staying current on industry trends and best practices in marketing communications.
• Digital Strategy: Developing digital content for various platforms used in the Division in conjunction with relevant channel coordinators and other colleagues; ensuring websites are up to date and used proactively to communicate with the stakeholders of the Department; ensuring optimal usage of AI and other new media platforms.
• Specialised writing: Compiling various forms of output (speeches, statements, briefings, presentations, multiple levels and types of reports, and other forms of written communication) in collaboration with the leadership team and other stakeholders of the Division for submission; writing specialised articles on topical themes such as technology transfer, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and innovations, etc.
• Engagements and events: Assisting with developing innovative campaigns and events for staff, students, and other SU stakeholders' awareness regarding topical themes.
• Relationship building: Using exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build, grow, and maintain networks and relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including the media, stakeholders from other universities, local and international peers, and internal staff and students.
• Strategiese kommunikasie en bemarking: Belyn die Afdeling se kommunikasie- en bemarkingstrategieë met dié van die VS Bedryf en Finansies; ontwikkel en implementeer kort- en langtermyn kommunikasieplanne en -veldtogte; en verseker doeltreffende skakeling en koördinering in oorleg met die Kommunikasiespesialis in die Kantoor van die Uitvoerende Bedryfshoof en die Korporatiewe Kommunikasie- en Bemarkingsafdeling.
• Mediaverhoudinge: Identifiseer en skep geleenthede vir positiewe mediadekking wat die Afdeling en sy departemente se sigbaarheid vir die verskillende teikengehore sal verbeter; in samewerking met die US se mediakantoor, ontwikkel en versprei mediavrystellings en bestuur moontlike medianavrae; gebruik en bevorder personeel (kundiges in hul vakgebiede) as woordvoerders in mediakanale, soos uitsendings, radio, podsendings, ens.; monitor mediadekking voortdurend en ontwikkel proaktiewe mediamateriaal vir kwessies wat die Departement en die groter Universiteit se handelsmerk en reputasie kan beïnvloed.
• Inhoudsontwikkeling, nuusberig-ontwikkeling en -verslagdoening: Ontwikkel inhoud vir interne en eksterne nuusberig-verspreiding, vir nuusbrief(we), webwerwe en sosiale mediakanale; stel die Afdeling se bestuursverslae saam vir die Rektoraat en Raad (vir indiening by die Kantoor van die Uitvoerende Bedryfshoof).
• Transformasiekommunikasie: Ontwikkel geïntegreerde kommunikasiestrategieë vir verandering en transformasie in die Departement in lyn met die Universiteit se doelwitte.
• Kommunikasiebestuur: Identifiseer kommunikasierisiko's, -kwessies, -uitdagings en -geleenthede wat die Afdeling kan beïnvloed; ontwikkel doeltreffende krisiskommunikasiestrategieë; verseker noue samewerking tussen die Afdeling en die Handelsmerkdepartement om te voldoen aan handelsmerkgoedkeuring op bemarking; verseker en hou toesig oor die doeltreffende implementering van die US se taalbeleid en handelsmerk oor alle afdelings heen.
• Interne kommunikasie: Identifiseer kommunikasierisiko's, -kwessies, -uitdagings en -geleenthede wat die Afdeling kan beïnvloed; ontwikkel doeltreffende krisiskommunikasiestrategieë; verseker noue samewerking tussen die Afdeling en die Handelsmerkdepartement om te voldoen aan handelsmerkgoedkeuring op bemarking; verseker en hou toesig oor die doeltreffende implementering en toepassing van die US se taalbeleid en handelsmerk oor alle afdelings heen.
• Kundigheid: Bly op hoogte van bedryfstendense en beste praktyke in bemarkingskommunikasie.
• Digitale Strategie: Ontwikkel digitale inhoud vir verskeie platforms wat in die Afdeling gebruik word in samewerking met tersaaklike kanaalkoördineerders en ander kollegas; verseker dat webwerwe op datum is en proaktief gebruik word om met die belanghebbendes van die Departement te kommunikeer; verseker optimale gebruik van KI en ander nuwe mediaplatforms.
• Gespesialiseerde skryfwerk: Stel verskeie vorme van uitsette saam (toesprake, verklarings, inligtingsessies, aanbiedings, verskeie vlakke en tipes verslae, en ander vorme van skriftelike kommunikasie) in samewerking met die leierskapspan en ander belanghebbendes van die Afdeling vir voorlegging; skryf gespesialiseerde artikels oor aktuele temas soos tegnologie-oordrag, volhoubaarheid, entrepreneurskap en innovasies, ens.
• Betrokkenheid en geleenthede: Hulpverlening met die ontwikkeling van innoverende veldtogte en geleenthede vir personeel, studente en ander US-belanghebbendes se bewustheid rakende aktuele temas.
• Verhoudingsbou: Gebruik uitsonderlike interpersoonlike vaardighede en die vermoë om netwerke en verhoudings met belangrike interne en eksterne belanghebbendes te bou, te laat groei en te onderhou, met inbegrip van die media, ander universiteite se belanghebbendes, plaaslike en internasionale eweknieë, en interne personeel en studente.
  
  
  

Job Requirements/Pos Vereistes

• Appropriate bachelor's degree (e.g., journalism, politics, education, marketing, media, or communication) with at least three years' working experience in a media/corporate communication environment or at least three years' relevant industry experience.
• Appropriate national diploma (e.g., journalism, politics, education, marketing, media, or communication) with at least five years' working experience in a media/corporate communication environment, or at least five years' relevant industry experience.
• Extensive research, writing, and media production experience.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise work to meet deadlines.
• The ability to manage multiple competing priorities on deadline and work independently and proactively, as well as in a team.
• Excellent writing ability and skills, and the ability to function effectively in a multilingual (proficiency in Afrikaans and English) and multicultural environment.
• Meticulous execution of campaigns and events and attention to detail.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build, grow and maintain networks.
• Computer proficiency in MS Office and writing-related technology tools.
• Proven ability to write about a diverse range of topics.
• Thorough knowledge of digital communications and the influence of AI and new media on institutional communications.
• Excellent understanding of the South African - and where relevant - the international media landscape.
• The ability to efficiently manage teams of freelance, specialised writers and designers to execute campaigns, develop marketing communications material or produce knowledge-leadership articles.
• The ability to multi-task and work in a team.
• Experience with MailChimp, and or any other marketing platform.
• Experience with any designing software, for example Adobe Illustrator, Canva Design, etc.
• Toepaslike baccalaureusgraad (bv. joernalistiek, politiek, onderwys, bemarking, media, of kommunikasie) met minstens drie jaar werkservaring in 'n media-/korporatiewe kommunikasie-omgewing of minstens drie jaar se tersaaklike bedryfservaring.
• Toepaslike nasionale diploma (bv. joernalistiek, politiek, onderwys, bemarking, media, of kommunikasie) met minstens vyf jaar werkservaring in 'n media-/korporatiewe kommunikasie-omgewing of minstens vyf jaar tersaaklike bedryfservaring.
• Wye ervaring in navorsing-, skryf- en mediaproduksie.
• Uitstekende organisatoriese vaardighede, met die vermoë om werk te prioritiseer om sperdatums te haal.
• Die vermoë om verskeie mededingende prioriteite teen sperdatums te bestuur en onafhanklik en proaktief, sowel as in 'n span, te werk.
• Uitstekende skryfvermoë en -vaardighede, en die vermoë om doeltreffend te funksioneer in 'n veeltalige (vaardigheid in Afrikaans en Engels) en multikulturele omgewing.
• Noukeurige uitvoering van veldtogte en geleenthede en aandag aan detail.
• Uitsonderlike interpersoonlike vaardighede en die vermoë om netwerke te bou, te laat groei en te onderhou.
• Rekenaarvaardigheid in MS Office en skryfverwante tegnologie-instrumente.
• Bewese vermoë om oor 'n diverse verskeidenheid onderwerpe te skryf.
• Deeglike kennis van digitale kommunikasie en die invloed van Kunsmatige Intelligensie (KI) en nuwe media op institusionele kommunikasie.
• Uitstekende begrip van die Suid-Afrikaanse - en waar tersaaklik - die internasionale medialandskap.
• Die vermoë om spanne vryskut-, gespesialiseerde skrywers en ontwerpers doeltreffend te bestuur om veldtogte uit te voer, bemarkingskommunikasiemateriaal te ontwikkel of kennisleierskapsartikels te produseer.
• Die vermoë om veelvuldige take te verrig en in 'n span te werk.
• Ervaring met MailChimp en/of soortgelyke bemarkingsplatforms.
• Ervaring met enige ontwerpsagteware, byvoorbeeld Adobe Illustrator, Canva Design, ens.
  
  
  

Recommendation/Aanbeveling

• Experience as a speech writer or campaigner.
• Multimedia production experience (new media, AI, radio, television, etc.).
• Experience in a public relations environment.
• Ondervinding as 'n toespraakskrywer of veldtogvoerder.
• Multimedia-produksie-ervaring (nuwe media, KI, radio, televisie, ens.).
• Ondervinding in 'n openbare betrekkinge-omgewing.
  
  
  

How To Apply/Hoe Om Aansoek Te Doen

#PSS

Stellenbosch University is committed to employment equity (EE), and appointments will be made in line with the EE plan for the specific environment as well as the EE Plan of the University.

Stellenbosch University reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Your application, comprising a comprehensive curriculum vitae (including the names and email addresses of at least three referees), must reach the University before or on the closing date of the advertised post.

APPLY ONLINE AT BY USING THE APPLY NOW LINK AT THE TOP RIGHT-HAND CORNER OF THE SPECIFIC VACANCY PAGE.

The University reserves the right to investigate qualifications and conduct background checks on all candidates.

Should no feedback be received from the University within four to six weeks of the closing date, kindly accept that your application did not succeed.

Die Universiteit Stellenbosch is tot gelyke indiensneming (GI) verbind, en aanstellings word ooreenkomstig die GI-plan vir die betrokke omgewing sowel as ons institusionele GI-plan gedoen.

Die Universiteit Stellenbosch behou die reg voor om nie 'n aanstelling te maak nie.

Jou aansoek moet vergesel wees van 'n volledige curriculum vitae (insluitend die name en e-posadresse van ten minste drie referente), en moet die Universiteit voor of op die sluitingsdatum van die advertensie bereik.

DOEN AANLYN AANSOEK BY DEUR OP DIE APPLY NOW-SKAKEL REGS BO-AAN DIE BLAD VAN DIE SPESIFIEKE VAKATURE TE KLIEK.

Die Universiteit behou die reg voor om kwalifikasies na te gaan en agtergrondinligting oor alle kandidate in te win.

Indien jy nie binne vier tot ses weke na die sluitingsdatum van hierdie advertensie van die Universiteit verneem nie, aanvaar asseblief dat jou aansoek onsuksesvol was.

Enquiries/Navrae

Enquiries regarding this post: Ms Anita Nel on 021 808 9477, or at [e-mail]

Enquiries regarding remuneration/benefits, as well as technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre on 021 808 2753 (Stellenbosch) / 021 938 9636 (Tygerberg), or at [e-mail]

Navrae rakende die posinhoud: Me. Anita Nel by 021 808 9477, of by [e-mail]

Navrae oor vergoeding/voordele asook tegniese ondersteuning met die elektroniese aansoekproses: Menslike Hulpbronne Kliëntedienssentrum by 021 808 2753 (Stellenbosch) / 021 938 9636 (Tygerberg), of by [e-mail]

Currency ZAR

Commencement Date 01-Aug-2025

Closing Date 23-Jun-2025

Amount of Travel

Work At Home