Public Relations Director

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; On-site; ZAR 2,400,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive salary package

Executive health coverage

Bonus potential

Long-term incentives

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Public Relations Director to lead the PR and communications function in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. This executive, on-site role sets the strategic direction for all public relations initiatives, enhances brand reputation, and manages crisis communications.

You will be a key adviser to senior leadership, shaping the narrative and safeguarding the company's public image while guiding the PR team and coordinating with marketing, legal, and other departments

Qualifications

• Master's degree required in PR, Communications, Journalism, Business Administration, or related field.
• 10–12 years of progressive PR experience with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven success in developing and executing comprehensive PR strategies for major organisations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the overarching PR strategy aligned with company objectives.
• Lead and manage the PR team, fostering excellence and innovation.
• Oversee media relations, including proactive pitching, reactive responses, and crisis management.
• Build relationships with national and international media.
• Craft and approve external communications, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and brand alignment.
• Develop and manage the PR budget, ensuring ROI.
• Serve as primary spokesperson and media liaison when required.
• Monitor industry trends, competitor activities, and public sentiment.
• Collaborate with marketing, legal, and other departments for integrated communications.
• Develop and implement robust crisis communication protocols and response plans.

Education

Master's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a visionary and highly experienced Public Relations Director to lead their PR and communications function in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal . This executive-level, on-site position will be responsible for setting the strategic direction for all public relations initiatives, enhancing brand reputation, and managing crisis communications. The ideal candidate possesses a profound understanding of the media landscape, exceptional leadership qualities, and a proven track record of developing and executing high-impact PR strategies. You will be a key advisor to senior leadership, shaping the narrative and safeguarding the company's public image.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the overarching public relations strategy in alignment with company objectives.
• Lead and manage the PR team, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.
• Oversee all media relations activities, including proactive pitching, reactive responses, and crisis management.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key media influencers, stakeholders, and industry leaders.
• Craft and approve all major external communications, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and brand alignment.
• Develop and manage the PR budget, ensuring optimal resource allocation and ROI.
• Serve as a primary spokesperson and media liaison for the company when required.
• Monitor industry trends, competitor activities, and public sentiment, providing strategic insights.
• Collaborate with marketing, legal, and other departments to ensure integrated communication efforts.
• Develop and implement robust crisis communication protocols and response plans.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10-12 years of progressive experience in public relations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing comprehensive PR strategies for major organizations.
• Exceptional leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills.
• Extensive knowledge of media relations, crisis communications, and corporate reputation management.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with national and international media.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with a commanding presence.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience in managing large budgets and complex projects.
• Must be willing to work full-time from our Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal office.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive executive salary package, comprehensive benefits including executive health coverage, generous bonus potential, long-term incentives, and significant opportunities for professional growth. This on-site leadership role in Pietermaritzburg offers the chance to shape the strategic direction of a major organization's communications, working closely with top-tier leadership and influencing public perception on a grand scale.