Integrated Communications Manager SSA (South Africa or Côte d'Ivoire based)

Bayer AG; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A global life sciences company is seeking an Integrated Communications Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa. This role is responsible for planning and executing communication initiatives, developing editorial content, and managing media relations to enhance the company's reputation. The ideal candidate must have over 5 years of integrated communications experience, preferably in a media agency setting, and must be fluent in English, with proficiency in French being highly beneficial. This position is based in Midrand, South Africa.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of integrated communications experience in SSA.
• Fluency in English and proficiency in French is advantageous.
• Experience in PESO planning and multi-channel campaign execution.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute integrated communication initiatives across SSA.
• Develop high-quality editorial content for various audiences.
• Strengthen corporate reputation through consistent messaging.

Skills

Integrated communications experience

Editorial content development

Media relations

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Measurement and insights capability

Education

University degree in Communications, Marketing, or related field

Job description

At Bayer we’re visionaries, driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges and striving for a world where ,Health for all, Hunger for none’ is no longer a dream, but a real possibility. We’re doing it with energy, curiosity and sheer dedication, always learning from unique perspectives of those around us, expanding our thinking, growing our capabilities and redefining ‘impossible’. There are so many reasons to join us. If you’re hungry to build a varied and meaningful career in a community of brilliant and diverse minds to make a real difference, there’s only one choice.

Position purpose:

The Integrated Communications Manager – Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is responsible for planning, producing, and executing integrated communication initiatives that support corporate and divisional priorities across Sub-Saharan Africa. Operating within the Dynamic-Shared-Ownership (DSO) framework, the role partners closely with country communication teams to deliver high-quality editorial content and campaigns for internal and external audiences, ensuring one-voice consistency, cultural relevance, and measurable impact. The position emphasizes strong editorial development, channel orchestration, media relations, and employee engagement to enhance reputation and enable business outcomes in SSA.

Major tasks, responsibilities and requirements of the position:

Integrated Communications Planning & Execution

• Translate business priorities into integrated communications plans across SSA, aligned with corporate strategy and cluster guidance.
• Build and manage annual and quarterly editorial calendars covering internal and external moments, launches, and reputational themes.
• Ensure ‘One Bayer’ narrative and message consistency across markets, divisions, and channels.

Editorial Content Development (Internal & External)

• Lead the development of high-quality, culturally attuned content; in; French adaptation highly beneficial for West Central Africa (WCA) markets.
• Produce executive messages, speeches, op-eds, press materials, feature stories, thought-leadership articles, social copy, and employee communications.
• Establish and enforce editorial standards, tone-of-voice, and review workflows; manage translations and transcreation.
• Design and execute multi-channel communications using a Paid–Earned–Shared–Owned (PESO) approach for both corporate and divisional priorities.
• Orchestrate internal channels (intranet, town halls, leadership newsletters, employee communities) and external channels (media, social, web).
• Coordinate with media and creative agencies on briefs, assets, timelines, and localization; optimize content for digital and social performance.

Media Relations & Stakeholder Engagement

• Support country work teams to build and maintain trusted relationships with priority media, influencers, and industry stakeholders across SSA.
• Support in preparing and positioning spokespersons; developing media toolkits and Q&As; organizing interviews, roundtables, and press events.
• Monitor media landscape and sentiment; proactively identify opportunities and risks.

Issues & Crisis Communications

• Support issues identification, scenario planning, and crisis preparedness in line with global guidelines and local sensitivities.
• Draft holding statements, reactive lines, and internal updates; coordinate with Legal/Regulatory and corporate functions during activation.
• Ensure country teams and agency partners understand procedures, roles, and escalation paths.

Employee Engagement & Change Communications

• Partner with HR and leadership on employee engagement content, change communication plans, and culture-building narratives.
• Develop internal campaigns that connect strategy to purpose, drive alignment, and recognize achievements.

Measurement, Insights & Continuous Improvement

• Support in defining KPIs for campaigns and content; track performance across media, social, web, and internal channels.
• Deliver reports and insights; recommend optimizations and content iterations based on data and stakeholder feedback.

Governance, Compliance & Ways of Working

• Uphold brand, editorial, and regulatory standards; ensure approvals and documentation are maintained.
• Work effectively within the DSO framework and capability communities; share best practices across countries and divisions.

Value added to the success of the company:

• Enable business growth through integrated, insight-led communications across SSA.
• Strengthen corporate and divisional reputation with consistent, high-quality editorial content.
• Elevate employee engagement and change adoption through clear, credible internal communications.
• Advance thought leadership and innovation storytelling with region-relevant narratives.
• Foster strategic stakeholder relationships (media, influencers, partners) that support business objectives.
• Demonstrate measurable impact through robust performance tracking and optimization.

Work relations:

Internal

• Global COM community
• Cluster Communications Country Cluster Head, Communications team, Marketing team, Public Affairs, and other relevant departments.
• CDHs and their management teams (only where needed)
• Country Managing Directors (only where needed)
• Country Cluster EF leaders (only where needed)
• Capability community members
• Regional marketing teams

External

• Media representatives
• Industry associations
• Key opinion leaders
• Regulatory bodies

Qualification, Skills and Background:

Education

• Preferably a university degree or equivalent in Communications, Marketing, or a related field

Languages

• Fluency in English is required.
• French is highly beneficial, especially for West Central Africa (WCA) markets.

Skills/experiences

• 5+years of integrated communications experience in SSA; media agency background or hybrid agency/in-house experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated excellence in editorial content development for internal and external audiences, including English/French writing and transcreation.
• Proven experience in PESO planning and multi-channel campaign execution, including digital and social.
• Media relations experience with success in pitching, briefing, and event management.
• Issues/crisis communications exposure; ability to operate within global frameworks and local regulations.
• Strong project management, stakeholder engagement, and vendor/agency management skills.
• Measurement and insights capability (media monitoring, social listening, analytics dashboards).
• Cultural sensitivity and cross-country collaboration skills; ability to navigate diverse SSA contexts.
• Experience in healthcare/life sciences or other regulated industries is beneficial.