Senior Communications Specialist - Remote First

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 820,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan with company matching

Home office stipend

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Communications Specialist to lead strategic communications for a remote-first team. You will craft compelling narratives, manage public perception, and work with journalists, influencers, and internal teams to maintain a consistent brand voice.

The role emphasizes crisis planning, digital storytelling, and autonomous work with minimal supervision, delivering high-quality results across internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in media relations, PR, or corporate communications.
• Proven track record in developing and executing communication campaigns.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with strong storytelling skills.
• Strong understanding of traditional and digital media landscapes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies to enhance brand visibility and reputation.
• Craft press releases, media advisories, speeches, and other corporate communications materials.
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, influencers, and media outlets nationwide.
• Manage social media channels and respond to public inquiries.
• Monitor media coverage, analyze trends, and report on sentiment and KPIs.
• Advise senior leadership on communications strategy and reputational risks.
• Organize and manage press conferences and media events, including virtual formats.
• Collaborate with marketing, legal, and HR to ensure aligned messaging.
• Develop crisis communication plans and manage response protocols.

Skills

Media relations

Crisis communications

Storytelling

Stakeholder management

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Slack

Zoom

Microsoft Teams

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading digital media conglomerate, is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Communications Specialist to join their dynamic, remote-first team. This pivotal role is designed for a strategic thinker who excels at crafting compelling narratives and managing public perception across various platforms. You will be instrumental in shaping our client's brand voice and ensuring consistent messaging to internal and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of media relations, corporate communications, and digital storytelling. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking organization from the comfort of your own home, making a significant impact on our client's public profile. As a fully remote position, we embrace asynchronous communication and leverage cutting-edge digital tools to foster collaboration and productivity among our distributed team members. This role demands a proactive approach and the ability to thrive in an autonomous work environment, requiring minimal supervision while consistently delivering high-quality results.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies to enhance brand visibility and reputation.
• Craft press releases, media advisories, speeches, and other corporate communications materials.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, influencers, and key media outlets nationwide.
• Manage social media channels, creating engaging content and responding to public inquiries.
• Monitor media coverage, analyze trends, and provide regular reports on public sentiment and key performance indicators.
• Advise senior leadership on communication strategies and potential reputational risks.
• Organize and manage press conferences, media events, and other promotional activities, adapting them for virtual platforms.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including marketing, legal, and HR, to ensure aligned messaging.
• Develop crisis communication plans and manage response protocols during sensitive situations.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging communication technologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in media relations, public relations, or corporate communications.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and executing communication campaigns.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a flair for storytelling and persuasive writing.
• Strong understanding of media landscapes, both traditional and digital.
• Proficiency in social media management tools and content creation platforms.
• Experience in crisis communications and reputation management is highly desirable.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet tight deadlines in a remote setting.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and credibility with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency with virtual collaboration tools such as Slack, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package and a comprehensive benefits program designed to support our remote workforce. This includes health, dental, and vision insurance, generous paid time off, and a retirement savings plan with company matching.
• Employees also have access to continuous professional development opportunities, including online courses and conference attendance.
• We provide a stipend for home office setup to ensure you have the best resources for your remote work environment.
• Enjoy the flexibility and work-life balance that comes with a truly remote-first culture, empowering you to excel professionally without geographical constraints.
• Join a collaborative and innovative team that values your contributions and supports your career growth, all while working from your preferred location in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal or anywhere else.