Specialist: Group Communications

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time.

Belonging at Absa

Absa is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from suitably qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds. In support of our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) commitments and Employment Equity objectives, preference may be given to candidates from underrepresented designated groups, including persons with disabilities. We encourage applicants who may require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process to let us know so that appropriate support can be provided.

Job Summary

The purpose of this role is to provide specialist internal Group Communications support to internal stakeholders. This includes operational communication, business information, strategic messaging and colleague engagement content that supports stakeholder priorities, enables business understanding and aligns with and is aligned to the broader business strategy and GMCA’s grounded in the GMCA Group Communications strategy.

Job Description

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

 

Implement the communications strategy:

• Participate in the development and implementation of a communications programme, in line with the Group Marketing and Corporate Affairs and Executive leadership strategy and priorities.
• Help develop and execute communications plans that complement the overarching programme, objectives and execution plan, in alignment with the Absa Group messaging and strategic objectives.
• Demonstrate an understanding of business strategy, targets and performance and use it to shape communication strategies, plans and materials.
• Anticipate future developments or issues and be proactive about discussing how communication can help create understanding.
• Manage the co-ordination of activities across internal platforms, ensuring balanced communication and collaborative communications campaign development.
• Participate in the strategic positioning of executives to various audiences including external stakeholders and media in partnership with the media and stakeholder relations teams.

• Leverage internal platforms such as Absa Engage, My Gateway, The Weekly Update, Proudly Absa News, campus TV screens, lock screens, BU platforms and WhatsApp channels to maximise visibility of initiatives taking place across the business.

• Demonstrate an understanding of business issues and use communication to help solve organisational problems and achieve organisation objectives.
• Participate in forums that drive internal alignment and collaboration and contribute in building cohesion within the communications community.

Relationship building:

• Develop and maintain relationships that inspire trust and respect.
• Build a strong network and influence others to make things happen.

Communications content development and management:

• Develop relevant communications content in line with the communications strategy; maintain clear alignment with channel owners, manage the communications calendar and connect content to wider communications campaigns.
• Write engaging, grammatically accurate content across multiple formats, including ghost-written material for senior leaders that reflects their voice, personality and intent.

• Develop plans for projects which include multiple stakeholders, uncertainty and risk
• Use communications expertise to help solve business problems.

• Drive internal communications technological innovation, aligned with emerging technology, channel effectiveness and international best practice.
• Evolve existing digital channels, enhance internal colleague communication, improve reach and strengthen engagement communications.
• Advance the internal communication measurement matrix, aligned with the GMCA scorecard, to track effectiveness, engagement and business impact.

Control measures:

• Understand the control measures applicable to my role through reading the Code of Conduct and other training allocated to me. Where responsible for risks and controls ensure that these are appropriate and fit for purpose.
• All mandatory training completed to deadline and understood within given timescales.
• Where applicable, all key risks identified, tracked, logged and managed as per the Risk Framework procedures.
• Where applicable, all key controls to have identified owners, with audit trail of regular review and maintenance together with supporting records.   
• Where applicable, all risk events (incidents) or control failures to be escalated, investigated, reported and fixed at root cause to prevent reoccurrence.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & EXPEIRENCE:

 

Education & qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree, Advanced Diplomas, or B Tech (NQF7)
• Field of Study: Marketing, Communications (Preferred)

Work Experience:

• 3 - 5 years’ experience in communications
• Exposure to client service, campaign execution, and quality management.
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance in marketing communications.

Competencies:

• Business Acumen and how your role will enable the business to deliver successfully.
• Corporate Communication
• Proficient with AI and LLM’s
• Solid writing capabilities. Long and short form.
• Delivering Results
• Collaboration

Knowledge and Skills:

• Operational planning and execution
• Process optimisation and service design
• Performance measurement and reporting
• Governance and compliance
• Digital tools and platforms
• Data analysis and insight generation

Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Communication Studies and Language (Required)