Senior Media Relations Specialist - Fully Remote

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work environment

Health coverage

Retirement fund contributions

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Media Relations Specialist to elevate our brand through strategic media storytelling and proactive outreach. This remote-first role offers autonomy to lead campaigns, manage crises, and build relationships with journalists and influencers.

The ideal candidate will craft persuasive press materials, monitor coverage, and provide insights to leadership while collaborating with marketing and internal communications to shape a unified narrative.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, PR, Journalism, or related field.
• 5-7 years of proven media relations or PR experience.
• Proven track record of securing significant media placements and campaigns.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Extensive network of media contacts.
• Experience with media monitoring and analysis tools.
• Strong crisis communication management experience.
• Ability to work autonomously in a remote setting.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and virtual collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute media relations strategies to meet business objectives.
• Build relationships with media at local, national, and international levels.
• Craft press releases, advisories, pitches, and executive talking points.
• Serve as primary spokesperson or media liaison for interviews.
• Develop crisis communication plans and act as point person during crises.
• Monitor media coverage, analyze trends, and provide insights.
• Collaborate with marketing and internal comms for integrated messaging.
• Identify opportunities for thought leadership and executive profiling.
• Manage virtual or hybrid media events and press conferences.
• Evaluate and report on effectiveness of media relations efforts.

Skills

Media relations

Press release writing

Crisis communications

Storytelling

Relationship building

Remote collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications/PR/Journalism

Tools

Media monitoring tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Senior Media Relations Specialist for a fully remote, remote-first role. This position is critical for elevating our client's brand presence and managing its media narrative across all platforms. While based in the vicinity of Benoni, Gauteng, ZA , the role is entirely remote, offering significant flexibility. You will be responsible for developing and implementing proactive media strategies, cultivating strong relationships with journalists and influencers, and ensuring effective crisis communication. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of the media landscape, exceptional storytelling abilities, and a proven track record of securing positive media coverage. This role demands autonomy, strategic foresight, and the ability to excel in a virtual team environment. This is a prime opportunity to significantly influence brand perception and drive impactful PR outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute comprehensive media relations strategies to achieve key business objectives.
• Build and maintain strong, productive relationships with media contacts at local, national, and international levels.
• Craft persuasive press releases, media advisories, pitches, and executive talking points.
• Serve as a primary spokesperson or media liaison, effectively managing interviews and inquiries.
• Develop and implement crisis communication plans, acting as a key point person during sensitive situations.
• Monitor media coverage, analyze trends, and provide actionable insights to the leadership team.
• Collaborate with marketing and internal communications teams to ensure integrated messaging.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for thought leadership and executive profiling.
• Manage media events and press conferences in a virtual or hybrid capacity.
• Evaluate and report on the effectiveness of media relations efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
• 5-7 years of proven experience in media relations or public relations.
• Demonstrated success in securing significant media placements and managing PR campaigns.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Extensive network of media contacts.
• Proficiency in media monitoring and analysis tools.
• Strong crisis communication management experience.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage priorities effectively in a remote setting.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively virtually.
• Familiarity with the South African media landscape is a strong advantage.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, generous benefits package, and the significant advantage of a fully remote work environment.
• This includes excellent health coverage, retirement fund contributions, and potential for performance-based bonuses.
• We provide support for remote work setups and ample opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement.
• Embrace a flexible work schedule that promotes a healthy work-life balance.
• Join a dynamic and innovative team that values collaboration and impact.
• This role offers a rewarding career path with significant growth potential.
• The position is advertised with proximity to Benoni, Gauteng, ZA , but is fully remote.