External Communications Specialist

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 480,000 - 600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Medical aid and pension

Professional development and training

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an External Communications Specialist for a hybrid role in East London, Eastern Cape, ZA. You will craft and disseminate key messages to media, stakeholders, and the public, maintaining consistent brand voice across platforms.

Ideal candidates will have a PR/media relations background, strong writing/editing skills, and the ability to collaborate with marketing and government affairs teams in a flexible setup.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in external communications or PR.
• Proven experience in media relations and managing corporate reputation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with editing/proofreading skills.
• Proficiency with media monitoring tools and social media platforms.
• Ability to work in a hybrid office/remote environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement external communication strategies and plans.
• Write and edit press releases, media statements, speeches, and corporate publications.
• Manage media inquiries and build relationships with journalists and outlets.
• Monitor media coverage and trends, reporting insights.
• Assist in crisis communication planning and execution.
• Collaborate with marketing and government affairs for aligned messaging.
• Manage the company's external social media presence.
• Organize media events and press briefings.
• Ensure communications adhere to brand guidelines and policies.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Editing

Proofreading

Media relations

Social media management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field

Tools

Media monitoring tools

Social media management platforms

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent manufacturing company, is seeking a skilled External Communications Specialist to join their team in **East London, Eastern Cape, ZA**. This hybrid role requires a dynamic individual who can manage the company's external image and relationships through effective communication strategies. You will be responsible for developing and disseminating key messages to media, stakeholders, and the public, ensuring consistency and accuracy across all platforms. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in media relations, corporate communications, and content creation, with the ability to work collaboratively in a hybrid setup. This position offers a significant opportunity to contribute to the reputation management of a key industrial player in **East London, Eastern Cape, ZA**, balancing office-based responsibilities with remote flexibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement external communication strategies and plans.
• Write and edit press releases, media statements, speeches, and corporate publications.
• Manage media inquiries and build relationships with journalists and media outlets.
• Monitor media coverage and public sentiment, reporting on key trends and issues.
• Assist in crisis communication planning and execution.
• Collaborate with marketing and government affairs teams to ensure aligned messaging.
• Manage company's social media presence for external communications.
• Organize and coordinate media events and press briefings.
• Ensure all external communications adhere to brand guidelines and company policies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in external communications or public relations.
• Proven experience in media relations and managing corporate reputation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong editing and proofreading abilities.
• Proficiency in media monitoring tools and social media management platforms.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, balancing office and remote tasks.
• Strong organizational skills and project management capabilities.
• Knowledge of the manufacturing sector is an advantage.
• Must be able to commute to the office in **East London, Eastern Cape, ZA**, for required hybrid workdays.

Benefits

• Annual salary of R .
• Hybrid work model providing flexibility.
• Opportunity to work for a leading manufacturing company.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and pension.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Supportive and collaborative work culture.
• Generous annual leave.