Senior Manager: Group Communications

1001 Absa Bank; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Absa Bank Limited is seeking an experienced Communications Senior Manager to lead internal and executive communications across Africa. You will translate business priorities into integrated colleague communications, measure impact, and collaborate with leadership to strengthen reputation and engagement.

The role requires a strategic mindset, deep writing skills, and the ability to mine stories from across geographies.

Qualifications

• 5–12 years in a senior management communications role.
• Experience across cross geography communication strategies.
• Proven ability to develop and implement communications strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage an integrated colleague communication strategy aligned to group priorities.
• Translate priorities into integrated plans with audience segmentation and channels.
• Contribute to an editorial and channel calendar for group-wide priorities.
• Facilitate internal communications platforms for leader visibility and employee engagement.
• Build relationships with the business to advise on positioning and messaging.
• Coordinate and deliver monthly measurement and insight reports for Group Internal Communications.

Skills

Verbal & written comms

Computer literacy

Comms execution experience

Story mining

AI/LLMs knowledge

Education

Bachelor's in Communication Studies

Job description

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time. With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.

Job Summary

To develop tactical strategy and delivery plans, formulate associated practice and ensure operational implementation and adoption across a single practice in terms of integrated colleague communication methodology, governance and delivery objectives. The role also acts as a trusted strategic adviser to business leadership, using audience insight, data, channel expertise and reputation-management to deliver clear, measurable and colleague-centered communication outcomes.

Job Description

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Integrated Communication Strategy Execution: Develop and manage an integrated communication strategy that supports the business and aligns with its strategic intent and direction at group level.
• Translate enterprise, business-unit and leadership priorities into integrated colleague communication plans with clear audience segmentation, channel choices, key messages, timing, risks, dependencies and measurable outcomes.
• Contribute to an integrated editorial and channel calendar that coordinates enterprise-wide priorities, leadership visibility, change programmes, culture moments and colleague engagement activity.

Communication Delivery and Content Management

• Facilitate and implement internal communication platforms that will allow colleagues and leadership to engage regularly with employees thus ensuring visible leadership and engaged employees.

Client Relations and Support

• Build ongoing relationships and partnerships with the business to position Communications as credible experts in matters related to reputation management. Enquire about and understand the communication needs of the business and advise them appropriately on communication matters such as positioning and messaging.

Reporting and Governance

• Coordinate and deliver Group Internal Communications’ monthly measurement and insight reports.. Participate at relevant forums in Communications, such as Newsroom and Creative Forum meetings to coordinate appropriate group-wide communication priorities.

Client Relations and Support

• Build ongoing relationships and partnerships with the business to position Communications as credible experts in matters related to reputation management. Enquire about and understand the communication needs of the business and advise them appropriately on communication matters such as positioning and messaging.

Reporting and Governance

• Coordinate and deliver Group Internal Communications’ monthly measurement and insight reports.. Participate at relevant forums in Communications, such as Newsroom and Creative Forum meetings to coordinate appropriate group-wide communication priorities.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Qualifications

• A qualification in Marketing and/or Communications (NQF level 7)

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• High level of computer literacy
• Proven experience in communication execution
• Ability to "mine" stories and news angles and convert these into actionable communications initiatives
• Working knowledge of new media and Artificial Intelligence LLMs

Knowledge and Experience

• At least 5-12 years of work experience in a similar senior management position (preferably with 3 years in a people management position)
• Understanding of cross geography communication strategies
• Should have experience in developing and implementing effective communications strategies

Education Bachelor's Degrees and Advanced Diplomas

• Communication Studies and Language (Required)

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.

Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised

At Absa, our story is not a single narrative. It’s thousands of individual journeys unfolding across Africa and beyond. From colleagues serving customers in local communities to teams shaping financial solutions across borders, Absa is built on people who bring their lived experiences, ambitions and perspectives into the workplace every day. Whether you’re starting your career, a seasoned leader or somewhere in between, your contribution is seen, valued and connected to something bigger.

Our presence across Africa – which spans personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management, and insurance – exists because of the people who show up in their roles with purpose. Across Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, our colleagues are shaping what Absa becomes in each market. Beyond the continent, teams in global offices and a technology hub support and extend the stories that prove that African talent can lead, influence and innovate on the global stage.

At Absa, your story matters because progress is driven by human experience, not hierarchy. When people are enabled to bring their whole selves to work, they don’t just build careers. They help shape the future of Africa’s financial services landscape.