Communications Specialist

ADvTECH; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Western Cape, Cape Town is seeking a Communications Specialist to manage strategic communication initiatives and media relations. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and at least 3 years of PR experience, demonstrating strong writing and stakeholder management skills. This role focuses on enhancing the institution's reputation and supporting student recruitment initiatives.

Qualifications

• 3 years Communications or PR experience.
• 3 years exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• 2 years experience with managing multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage and implement strategic communications aligned with institutional goals.
• Support marketing and communication campaigns to drive recruitment and reputation.
• Build and maintain relationships with media contacts.

Skills

Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills

Strategic thinking with the ability to connect communication outputs to institutional goals

Strong stakeholder relationship management

Resilience under pressure

Detail-oriented

Sound judgement in sensitive or reputational issues

Education

Bachelor’s degree (NQF Level 7) in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or related field

Job description

Job title : Communications Specialist

Job Location : Western Cape, Cape Town Deadline : October 12, 2025

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Responsibilities

• Strategic Communications Management & Implementation
• Contribute to the development and execution of integrated campus communication strategies aligned with institutional goals.
• Support marketing and communication campaigns that drive student recruitment, reputation enhancement, reputation management and stakeholder engagement.
• Assist in the creation of communication calendars and messaging frameworks

Content Development & Management

• Write and edit content for various channels to be used on the website, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Curate and publish engaging student and staff stories that reinforce the university’s brand and values in collaboration with campus and national stakeholders.
• Collaborate with faculties, departments, the Office of the Registrar and student experience for content input.
• Write and disseminate press releases, caption stories and opinion pieces, etc. to the media.

Media Relations & Publicity

• Build and maintain relationships with media contacts
• Draft and distribute media releases, coordinate interviews, and prepare media kits.
• Track and report on media coverage and press engagement.
• Monitor engagement and moderate responses in line with university policy.

Internal Communications

• Support leadership messaging, change management communication, and campus-wide initiatives of a PR nature.

Event & Communication Support

• Draft post-event media coverage by assisting the Head of Communications for National events.
• Work closely with campus teams to ensure the correct information is received to draft written content for events such as Graduation, Open Days, etc.

Brand & Reputation Management

• Provide editorial support and guidance to campus faculties or departments to maintain quality and consistency.
• Identify and mitigate reputational risks through careful messaging and issue monitoring
• To assist Campus Heads and Senior Campus Heads to draft or edit general student communications of a PR nature or in response to events and crisis communications.

Skills required

• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills
• Strategic thinking with the ability to connect communication outputs to institutional goals
• Strong stakeholder relationship management
• Resilience under pressure, especially in crisis or high-visibility moments
• Detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and projectS.
• Sound judgement in sensitive or reputational issues

Minimum Qualification Requirement

• Bachelor’s degree (NQF Level 7) in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or related field.

Ideal

• Experience in the higher education
• Knowledge of South African media landscape and education trends

Minimum Experience Requirements

• 3 years Communications or PR experience
• 3 years Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills
• 2 years experience with managing multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
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