Strategic PR & Communications Director | Higher Education

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive-level salary

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Generous paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Hybrid work model

Leadership role in academia

Performance bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an accomplished Public Relations and Communications Director in Kimberley, Northern Cape, SA, to lead strategic messaging for an esteemed academic institution. The role blends in-office collaboration with strategic remote work, and focuses on strengthening reputation, media relations, branding, and stakeholder engagement.

The ideal candidate will have a master's in communications and at least 10 years' PR/communications experience, including leadership, with a background

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Communications or related field.
• Minimum 10 years in PR and communications with leadership experience.
• Experience in higher education and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive PR and communication strategies.
• Lead media relations and secure positive coverage.
• Oversee all institutional communications: press releases, newsletters, website, social media.
• Develop crisis communication plans and guide leadership.
• Provide strategic guidance to senior leadership on communications.
• Manage brand identity with consistent messaging across platforms.
• Foster relationships with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community.
• Oversee PR budget and engage external agencies as needed.
• Monitor media trends and provide insights to leadership.
• Lead and mentor a team of communications professionals.

Skills

Leadership

Media relations

Crisis communications

Brand management

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic communications

Education

Master's degree in Communications

Job description

Placements24 is seeking an accomplished Public Relations and Communications Director in Kimberley, Northern Cape, SA, to lead strategic messaging for an esteemed academic institution. The role blends in-office collaboration with strategic remote work, and focuses on strengthening reputation, media relations, branding, and stakeholder engagement.

The ideal candidate will have a master's in communications and at least 10 years' PR/communications experience, including leadership, with a background