Responsibilities
Key Deliverables
The GM: External Communication will be accountable to achieve the following objectives:
Strategy Development and Implementation
- Lead the creation of the functional strategy in line with the overarching business goals
- Drive effective implementation of the strategy by means of providing direction, structure, frameworks, models, plans and roadmaps
- Oversee regular review of the functional strategy and roadmap to ensure its alignment with the changing dynamics of the internal and external ecosystem
Staff Leadership and Management
- Build and manage a high performing team by providing leadership, role clarity, training and career development
- Source, induct and manage talent in accordance with legislative guidelines
- Continually develop a culture of strong collaboration and effective team working
- Ensure open communication channels with staff and implement change management interventions where necessary
- Provide definition of roles, responsibilities, individual goals and performance objectives for the team
- Set KPIs and provide regular performance feedback through a well-defined and implemented performance review program
- Develop and implement a training plan in order to build and develop skills within the team
- Encourage knowledge transfer through the implementation of a knowledge transfer plan and drive continuous improvement philosophy through the knowledge transfer plan
- Performance manage resources in accordance with HR policy and legislation where necessary
- Actively participate in leadership team and develop skills of own team
- Promote a ‘MTN centric’ and ‘partnership approach’ to develop strong relationships with other working groups and ensure adherence to Group governance
Governance
Strategic Meetings
- Hold strategic meetings, ensure relevant participation and provide guidance and input in the various discussions
- Drive enterprise-wide conference participation framework, corporate affairs sponsorship and partnership initiatives, elicit inputs from relevant parties
- Drive adequate risk mitigation and controls and elicit inputs from relevant parties
- Perform evaluation baseline of Service Level Agreements SLAs and KPIs
- Drive approval process on new initiatives
- Provide relevant budget for projects
- Prepare proposal on change initiatives SLA, policies and procedures
Escalations
- Escalate issues that will result in severe time, scope, productivity, and cost or resource impact
- Manage and provide solutions to escalations that have multiple processes / functions impact on critical path of service delivery
- Manage and provide solutions through stakeholder consultation where relevant
Function Tactical
- Review all projects initiated internal or global
- Review and finalise objectives, targets and budgets for the External Communications function as applicable
- Review key risks, issues and dependencies and set mitigation actions
- Develop and manage budgets
- Sign-off / make decisions regarding tactical changes
- Chair tactical meetings
Performance
- Monitor performance and alignment with MTN global strategy
- Ensure alignment between the various stakeholders and customers
- SLA approval and exception performance review
Reporting
- Report on a periodic basis to the Group Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer relating to progress made within the function and in accordance with the measurement metrics set by the organisation
- Report on an ad hoc basis on specific projects, as required
Budgets
- Develop and manage function’s budgets in line with business objectives
- Develop and manage project initiative budgets in line with business objectives
- Ensure that the cost of operations are reduced, in line with a least cost operating strategy stemming from the business drivers
Planning and Operations Leadership
- Curation of content strategy for MTN SA across the BU’s and functions
- Identification of key strategic issues and conceptualisation of content that is appropriate for both internal and external stakeholders to positively promote the MTN Brand and Reputation
- Consolidation of Opco-wide content, generated by MTN Communication Champions who are guided to be ambassadors of the Brand in story telling
- Management of publicity campaigns and determination of the appropriate platforms which will give positive publicity and PR mileage
- Usage of key topical media conversations to build online presence that links back to ESG
- Management of communication mediums and content tailoring, including portal websites, media platforms, social media, presentations, and speeches
- Relevant updated MTN SA company profile, which is always ready for the different platforms
- Accountability taken of MTN’s written content by external sources and continuous evaluation of their contributions
- Proactive issue monitoring management of various channels and platforms
- Strategic usage of channels for proactive reputational communication opportunities through “news jacking”
- Key advisory role, to exco with the Chief CA & Sustainability, in CRISIS MANAGEMENT
Continuous Improvement
- Keep abreast of international best practice, technologies and industry trends.
- Proactively research relevant best practice and processes, recommending translation of these in the strategic framework of the unit.
- Maintain an understanding of related systems in order to develop integrated systems and processes.
- Keep up to date with new products and services and their impact on MTNSA
- Understand and take cognisance of emerging markets and plan accordingly
People & Culture Management
- Provide technical, procedural and policy guidance to staff, colleagues , partners and vendors
- Attract, develop and retain appropriate talent. Build talent by identifying and developing new leaders for the respective environment
- Create and implement personal development plans
- Define the divisional KPAs and KPIs that will be cascaded down to each area
- Manage Performance and identify training needs. Coach and guide subordinates
- Enable and model healthy employee relations and collaborative teamwork
- Manage diversity, develop, and embed an Employment Equity plan for the business area
- Contribute to building a culture of continuous evaluation and improvement. Drive a culture of high performance, accountability and consequence management
- Act as an ambassador for the Consumer team by living the Brand values and vital behaviours and changing and influencing employees’ behaviour
- Make the environment the best place to work. Foster professionalism, loyalty and commitment to the organization. Build the Company’s brand to be the employer of first choice
Qualifications
Education:
- Minimum of 4-year tertiary degree specialization in Business Communication / Public Relations / Marketing / as appropriate
- MBA or Masters advantageous
- Relevant certification / accreditation / membership with professional body such as South African Communications Association, Exhibition and Event Association of Southern Africa advantageous
- Fluent in English and language of country preferable
Experience:
Minimum 5 -8 years’ experience in:
- In a Public Relations/ External Communication role
- Experience working in a global/multinational enterprise /FMCG
- understanding of emerging markets
- In managing staff
- Knowledge of consumer data analytics, management, and platforms in a Techo environment
- Experience in continuous improvement through the implementation of best practices
- Understanding of emerging markets
- Minimum 5 years of senior management experience in External Communications with specific focus on external communications, brand management, sponsorships and events
- Worked across diverse cultures and geographies
- Experience working in a medium to large organization
- Project management experience
- Telecommunications industry experience
- Pan Africa multi-cultural experience
Competencies:
Functional Knowledge:
- Project Management
- Engagement Program Design
- External Branding and Design
- External Communication
- Workforce Segmentation and Profiling
- Leadership Influence
- Visual/Verbal design
- Event/Project Management
- Experience Management
- Digital Platforms
- Editorial and content writing
- Reporting
- Global Working and Collaboration
- Organisational considerations
Skills
- Strategy Formulator
- Visualization
- Decisive Problem Solver
- Digital Mind-set
- Innovative Value Creator
- Culture and Change Champion
- Leadership/Entrepreneurial approaches
- Inspiring People Leader
- Relationship Builder
- Results Achiever
- Operationally Astute
- Organizational Agility
- Digital Mind-set
- Dealing with ambiguity and complexity
- Conflict Management
- Negotiation skills
- Project Management
- People Management
- Presentation Skills
Behavioural Qualities
- Adaptable
- Complete candour
- Culturally aware
- Emotional Maturity
- Innovation
- Integrity
- Leadership
Responsibility towards:
- Key external stakeholders: Investors, Media, Social Media, design company, third party technical teams other external contractors
Key internal stakeholders:
- MTN SA Business Leaders and Line Managers
- Opco – Corporate Services & External Communication teams
Apply Before 06/28/2026, 01:00 AM
