Communications Director, South Africa

Ford Motor; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive manufacturer in Pretoria is seeking a Communications Director to modernize and lead the communications strategy. Responsibilities include managing media relations and ensuring effective communication of the company's vision. The ideal candidate has 10-15 years of experience in communications and strong project management skills. This full-time role emphasizes digital transformation and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• 10-15 years of communications experience including team leadership.
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations or related field.
• Deep understanding of the South African media, digital and automotive landscape.
• Project management experience including budget control.
• Ability to build and cultivate relationships across functions and grade levels.
• Experience providing trusted counsel to business leaders.
• Strong commercial acumen and advocacy for a communications point of view.
• Proven ability to create and execute a modern Communications Strategy with expertise in digital channels and storytelling.
• Excellent writing skills, attention to detail and curiosity.
• Ability to understand and adapt to the motivations and needs of diverse audiences.
• Diplomacy, resilience under pressure and strong interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and management of communications strategies.
• Provide guidance in the planning and execution of communications initiatives.
• Drive impactful storytelling initiatives across digital platforms.
• Lead media relations strategy and act as primary media contact.
• Develop and implement sustainability and community engagement initiatives.
• Provide leadership to direct reports and manage HR requirements.
• Conduct research on industry trends and competitor activities.

Job description

Description

The Communications Director Ford South Africa is responsible for modernising and leading all aspects of the company's communications strategy in South Africa. This includes a strong emphasis on digital transformation and impactful storytelling to build brand reputation, foster stakeholder engagement and support core business objectives. The role requires a strategic leader who will manage media relations, explore direct-to-consumer communication channels, oversee new product launches and sustainment programs, deliver impactful internal communications and provide expert counsel to senior leadership and a dedicated team. The incumbent will work closely with social media, marketing, manufacturing and HR teams to ensure Ford's vision and values are communicated effectively and consistently.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation and management of breakthrough product, corporate and internal communications strategies covering all stakeholders and channels (working with agency partners where appropriate).
• Provide guidance and counsel in the planning and execution of corporate, product and employee communications initiatives including new product launches.
• Lead the development and implementation of innovative digital-first communications strategies across all channels and stakeholders.
• Drive impactful storytelling initiatives that resonate with South African audiences, leveraging digital platforms and multimedia content.
• In partnership with Marketing, explore and implement new forms of direct-to-consumer communication including social media influencer partnerships and owned digital channels.
• Lead media relations strategy, act as primary media contact and supervise responses to media inquiries, press releases and events.
• Identify and proactively manage potential issues, providing guidance to team members on mitigation strategies.
• Develop and implement initiatives that promote sustainability, community engagement and social impact, ensuring alignment with Ford's values and strategic goals.
• Provide people leadership to direct reports, manage HR requirements and ensure effective team governance (budget on both monetary and vehicles, events, suppliers, controls).
• Partner with senior leadership on communication initiatives by collaborating and crafting briefing materials, speeches and presentations.
• Conduct research and analysis of industry trends, market dynamics and competitor activities to identify new communication opportunities.
• Liaise with global and regional communications teams to align and execute strategy.
• Participate in senior management projects as directed by the Ford South Africa CEO and Board of Directors.

Qualifications

• 1015 years of communications experience including team leadership.
• Bachelors degree in Communications, Public Relations or related field.
• Deep understanding of the South African media, digital and automotive landscape.
• Project management experience including budget control.
• Ability to build and cultivate relationships across functions and grade levels.
• Experience providing trusted counsel to business leaders.
• Strong commercial acumen and advocacy for a communications point of view.
• Proven ability to create and execute a modern Communications Strategy with expertise in digital channels and storytelling.
• Excellent writing skills, attention to detail and curiosity.
• Ability to understand and adapt to the motivations and needs of diverse audiences.
• Diplomacy, resilience under pressure and strong interpersonal skills.

Key Skills

• Crisis Management
• Marketing
• Public Relations
• Fundraising
• Media Relations
• Constant Contact
• Strategic Planning
• Social Media Management
• Team Management
• Public Speaking
• Wordpress
• Writing Skills

Employment Type: Full-Time

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1