External Communications Manager

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive-level bonus

Fully remote work

Health, dental, vision insurance

Professional development budget

High-impact role

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced External Communications Manager to lead external affairs from Upington with remote work flexibility. This senior role drives strategy, protects brand image, and engages stakeholders across the Northern Cape and beyond.

You will oversee media relations, public affairs, and CSR communications, advising senior leaders on reputational risk and strategic messaging.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field is required.
• 7+ years in external communications or public relations.
• Proven media relations, crisis management and stakeholder engagement expertise.
• Strong writing, editing and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute external communication plans aligned with corporate goals.
• Manage media relations, proactive outreach and crises communications.
• Create compelling messaging for press releases and speeches.
• Build relationships with media contacts and industry influencers.
• Oversee public affairs and CSR communications.
• Advise senior leadership on reputational risk and strategy.

Skills

External communications

Media relations

Crisis management

Stakeholder engagement

Writing

Editing

Presentation skills

Strategic planning

Remote team leadership

Education

Master's degree in Communications / PR / Journalism

Job description

Our client is seeking a strategic and experienced External Communications Manager to lead their external affairs from Upington . This senior role is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive strategies to manage the company's public image, media relations, and stakeholder engagement. You will act as a key advisor on communication matters, ensuring that the company's message is effectively conveyed to external audiences. This is an opportunity to significantly influence brand perception and build strong external relationships across the Northern Cape and beyond, with the flexibility of remote work.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic external communication plans to support corporate objectives.
• Manage all aspects of media relations, including proactive outreach and crisis communication.
• Craft compelling narratives and messaging for press releases, speeches, and public statements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key media contacts and industry influencers.
• Oversee the company's public affairs and corporate social responsibility communications.
• Advise senior leadership on communication strategies and potential reputational risks.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in external communications or public relations.
• Proven expertise in media relations, crisis management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute complex communication strategies.
• Experience working remotely and managing distributed teams is an advantage.

Benefits

• Executive-level annual salary and significant bonus potential.
• Fully remote work arrangement, offering maximum flexibility.
• Premium health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous budget for professional development, travel, and conferences.
• A high-impact role within a forward-thinking organization that values strategic communication.