Senior Public Relations Director

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 2,500,000 - 5,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client is seeking a Senior Public Relations Director to lead global corporate communications and shape the enterprise narrative from a remote setting. You will guide high-level PR strategies, oversee crisis communications, and manage a distributed team of PR professionals.

The role requires extensive experience in corporate communications, expert media relations, and the ability to influence senior executives across worldwide markets.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in public relations, with emphasis on corporate communications and leadership.
• Proven success in developing and executing large-scale, global PR strategies.
• Crisis communication and reputation management expertise.
• Exceptional leadership and strategic thinking.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive corporate PR strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Lead and manage a global team of PR professionals with mentorship.
• Oversee corporate communications, media relations, crisis management, and executive communications.
• Build relationships with key media outlets, industry leaders, and influencers.
• Serve as spokesperson and develop strategic messaging for senior leadership.
• Manage reputation and identify opportunities for positive media coverage.
• Develop crisis communication plans to mitigate reputational risk.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and cross-functional teams on messaging.
• Monitor global media trends and report insights to senior management.
• Manage PR budget and oversee external agencies/consultants.

Skills

Strategic PR

Corporate communications

Leadership

Crisis communications

Media relations

Communication skills

Global communications

Education

Master's degree in PR/Communications/Journalism/Business

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading global conglomerate with a significant presence in the market, is seeking an accomplished and visionary Senior Public Relations Director to lead their communications strategy. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to leverage your expertise from any location while shaping the corporate narrative of a major enterprise. You will be responsible for developing and executing high-level PR strategies, managing corporate reputation, overseeing crisis communications, and leading a team of PR professionals. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience in corporate communications, a deep understanding of global media landscapes, and exceptional leadership qualities. As a remote-first organization, we foster a culture of autonomy, trust, and innovation, offering a truly flexible work environment. This role is critical for maintaining and enhancing the company's brand image on a global scale, even for those residing in or near Sandton, Gauteng .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive corporate public relations strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Lead and manage a global team of PR professionals, providing mentorship and guidance.
• Oversee all aspects of corporate communications, including media relations, crisis management, and executive communications.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key media outlets, industry leaders, and influencers worldwide.
• Serve as a primary spokesperson and develop strategic messaging for senior leadership.
• Manage the company's reputation and proactively identify opportunities for positive media coverage.
• Develop and execute effective crisis communication plans to mitigate reputational risk.
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure consistent messaging.
• Monitor global media trends and analyze campaign effectiveness, reporting insights to senior management.
• Manage the PR budget and oversee external PR agencies and consultants.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in public relations, with a strong emphasis on corporate communications and leadership roles.
• Proven success in developing and executing large-scale, global PR strategies.
• Demonstrated expertise in crisis communication and reputation management.
• Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communication abilities.
• Experience working in a fully remote or distributed leadership capacity.
• Ability to travel internationally as required.
• Strong understanding of global media landscapes and current communication technologies.
• Proven ability to influence and advise senior executives.

Benefits

This paramount leadership role offers an exceptional annual salary of . As a remote position, you enjoy unparalleled flexibility to work from anywhere. Our comprehensive benefits package includes top-tier private medical insurance, a generous retirement plan, and significant performance-based bonuses. We are committed to your continuous growth, providing access to executive coaching, leadership development programs, and budgets for professional enrichment. This is a unique opportunity to lead communications for a global powerhouse from your chosen location, with strong ties to the business hub of Sandton, Gauteng . Stock options and other long-term incentives may be available.