Senior Media Relations Specialist - Remote First

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health & wellness benefits

Generous paid time off

Professional development

Remote-friendly culture

Advanced communication tools

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Media Relations Specialist to join a remote-first team in South Africa. You will shape and amplify the brand narrative across media, building relationships with journalists, influencers, and stakeholders, and guiding campaigns from concept to execution.

The role requires a strategic thinker with 5–7 years in media relations, excellent writing, and the ability to manage multiple projects remotely.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or related field.
• 5–7 years of progressive media relations or public relations experience.
• Proven success securing high-impact media placements.
• Excellent writing and persuasive storytelling abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive media relations strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Craft press releases, media kits, pitches, and other PR materials.
• Build and maintain relationships with media contacts across national and regional outlets.
• Secure positive media coverage and manage crisis communications effectively.
• Monitor media mentions and report on campaign effectiveness and sentiment.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure consistent messaging.
• Identify trends and opportunities for media engagement.
• Provide strategic media counsel to leadership.
• Organize and manage media events, press conferences, and interviews as needed.

Skills

Media relations

Press outreach

Crisis comms

Storytelling

Stakeholder mgmt

Remote work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic leader in the communications sector, is seeking an exceptional Senior Media Relations Specialist to join their fully remote team. This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned professional to make a significant impact from anywhere within South Africa. You will be instrumental in shaping and amplifying our client's brand narrative across diverse media landscapes. As a remote-first organization, we champion a culture of trust, autonomy, and asynchronous collaboration, ensuring you have the flexibility to excel in your role while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a proven track record in developing and executing successful media outreach campaigns, adept at navigating the evolving media ecosystem and building strong relationships with journalists, influencers, and key stakeholders. This role demands a proactive approach, exceptional communication skills, and a deep understanding of public relations principles.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive media relations strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Craft compelling press releases, media kits, pitches, and other PR materials.
• Proactively build and maintain strong relationships with media contacts across national, regional, and trade publications.
• Secure positive media coverage and manage crisis communications effectively.
• Monitor media mentions and analyze coverage to report on campaign effectiveness and brand sentiment.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure consistent messaging and brand representation.
• Identify emerging trends and opportunities for media engagement.
• Provide strategic counsel to leadership on media-related issues.
• Organize and manage media events, press conferences, and interviews as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in media relations or public relations, preferably within an agency or corporate environment.
• Demonstrated success in securing high-impact media placements.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a talent for storytelling and persuasive writing.
• Strong understanding of the media landscape, including traditional and digital channels.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, remote environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in media monitoring and analysis tools.
• A proactive, results-oriented mindset with a high degree of professionalism.
• Must be based in **South Africa** and able to work remotely.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
• A supportive and collaborative remote work culture.
• Access to cutting-edge communication tools and technologies.
• The flexibility to work from **anywhere** in South Africa.