Senior Manager: Marketing

University Of Johannesburg; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Pretoria seeks a Marketing Manager to enhance brand visibility through strategic marketing and public relations initiatives. The successful candidate will lead marketing campaigns, manage communication strategies, and oversee public relations to support the university's mission. Applicants should possess an honours degree and substantial experience in senior roles, with a passion for impactful higher education marketing.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years’ experience in senior marketing or public relations roles.
• Proven leadership in large-scale strategy development.
• Strong track record in brand development and digital media management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage an integrated marketing brand strategy.
• Craft key brand messages reflecting the university's vision.
• Drive student-focused marketing initiatives.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Excellent communication

Creativity

Planning and organizational skills

Education

Honours degree in Marketing or related field

Master's degree in Marketing or related field

Tools

MS Office

Design collaboration tools

Job description

Overview

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a vibrant and cosmopolitan institution guided by its bold UJ Strategy, which emphasizes Societal Impact and Sustainability, Global Footprint and Partnerships, and Technology for the Future. Committed to transformative change, UJ’s mission is “To transform and serve humanity through innovation and the collective and collaborative pursuit of knowledge.” The University is guided by the vision of building “An international university of choice, anchored in Africa and the global south, dynamically shaping a sustainable future”.

Job Purpose

This role is responsible for managing and enhancing the university’s reputation and brand visibility through strategic brand marketing, public relations, and communication initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Brand & Marketing Leadership: develop and manage the implementation of an integrated marketing brand strategy and public relations aligned with the university’s overarching goals.
• Craft and disseminate key brand messages and positioning statements that reflect the university’s vision and values.
• Translate institutional goals into actionable marketing campaigns, ensuring that messaging reflects the university’s academic excellence, student experience, innovation, and societal impact.
• Serve as the brand custodian, ensuring consistent messaging, tone, and visual identity across all faculties, departments, and touchpoints.
• Oversee the university’s corporate identity and ensure internal and external stakeholders align with brand standards.
• Ensure that all university activities relating to the University have public relations activities linked to it.
• Integrated Campaign & Marketing Management: manage both above‑the‑line and below‑the‑line marketing activities, from conception to execution; lead the preparation and roll‑out of annual marketing plans for diverse stakeholder groups; guide targeted student marketing strategies; oversee planning, design, execution, and performance analysis of campaigns; develop and deploy multichannel campaigns; evaluate campaign ROI and optimize strategies based on data and feedback.
• Digital & Social Media Strategy: develop and implement a forward‑thinking social media strategy; oversee digital content creation and campaign management across all major platforms; supervise content calendars; lead online reputation management; foster digital innovation by exploring new platforms and technologies.
• Events Management: direct the university’s corporate events calendar, ensuring events are strategically aligned with the brand and enhance stakeholder engagement; develop event guidelines and best practices.
• Creative Direction & Design Oversight: supervise graphic design and content production teams; manage in‑house design teams; guide development of design briefs and ensure timely delivery of high‑quality marketing materials.
• Resource & Financial Management: manage marketing resources and budget; supervise marketing and public relations personnel; ensure adherence to marketing procedures, financial planning, and optimal allocation of resources; oversee service provider relationships.
• Student Marketing and Recruitment Campaigns: drive student‑focused marketing initiatives to attract top talent locally and internationally; coordinate outreach strategies; ensure campaigns align with enrolment targets and recruitment objectives.
• Public Relations: design and implement effective public relations strategy aimed at increased brand visibility and improved reputation; create partnership with industry partners to enhance reputation.

Minimum Requirements

• Honours’ degree (NQF 8) in Marketing, Brand Management, Communications, Public Relations or a related field.
• Five to seven years’ experience in senior marketing, public relations and brand roles, preferably in a corporate or tertiary education environment.
• Proven leadership in developing and implementing large‑scale marketing and public relations strategies.
• Strong track record in brand development, public relations, digital media management, and stakeholder communication.

Core Competencies and Behavioural Attributes

• Strategic thinking and brand visioning.
• Leadership, team development, and collaboration.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• High proficiency in MS Office and design collaboration tools.
• Creativity, innovation, and attention to detail.
• Planning, budgeting, and organizational skills.
• Relationship‑building and stakeholder management.
• Understanding of marketing law and new media trends.
• High competency in public relations strategies and tactics.

Recommendations

• Master’s degree in Marketing, Brand Management, Communications, Public Relations or a related field.

Application Process

Your application must include a detailed Curriculum Vitae and the names and full contact details (including telephone numbers and e‑mail addresses) of at least three traceable and credible referees. Upload this information before or on the closing date of the advertised post.

Please also attach the following:

• A copy of your highest academic qualification.
• Proof of registration with professional bodies you might belong to.
• If applying for an academic position, a list of accredited research output and/or a portfolio of your creative output.

Candidates may be subjected to appropriate psychometric testing and other selection instruments. If you require technical support on the UJ e‑recruitment website, contact our service provider PNET at the following details.

Enquiries regarding job content: Dr. Phumelela Dhlomo (Senior Director) on Tel. Enquiries regarding remuneration and benefits: Mrs. Chandni Hira‑Fakir (HCM Business Partner) on Tel.

In conjunction to merit on the basis of qualifications, experience and proven achievements the University of Johannesburg is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and those individuals from the historically disadvantaged groups.

As necessitated by operational requirements the University reserves the right not to make an appointment to positions advertised.

If you have not received a response from the University within 8 weeks of the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful.

Legal and Compliance Notice

The University is obligated, in terms of recent amendments to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act (Act 13 of 2006), to assess all prospective employees (including applicants) against the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO). The outcome of such an assessment may have an impact upon possible employment with the University.