Junior Channel Specialist (Social Media, Influencer & Paid Media)

Africa's financial landscape is dynamic, and Absa is at the forefront of shaping its future. With a legacy spanning over a century, the organisation is committed to empowering communities and driving growth across the continent. As they continue their exciting journey, Absa is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented individual to join their marketing team as a Junior Channel Specialist. This role offers a fantastic opportunity for someone eager to learn and contribute to the execution and optimisation of diverse digital marketing activities.

About the Role

The Junior Channel Specialist will play a crucial supporting role in Absa's comprehensive digital marketing efforts. This position is ideal for an aspiring marketing professional looking to gain hands-on experience in social media, influencer marketing, and paid media. You will be instrumental in ensuring that campaigns are not only launched efficiently but also perform optimally across various channels. Collaboration is key in this role, as you will work closely with internal marketing teams, creative departments, external agencies, media partners, platform representatives, and influencers. Your contributions will help ensure that Absa's brand message resonates effectively with its target audiences.

This multifaceted role involves a broad range of responsibilities designed to support the execution and monitoring of Absa's digital marketing strategy. Your day-to-day activities will include:

• **Social Media & Content Management:** Assisting in the planning, development, and coordination of social media content across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X, and YouTube. You will help maintain social media content calendars, ensuring alignment with brand and campaign objectives. This involves reviewing content for accuracy and brand consistency, scheduling posts, and adapting content for different platforms and audiences. You’ll also monitor content performance to suggest improvements.
• **Community & Reputation Management:** Supporting community engagement by monitoring social media platforms, responding to comments and queries in line with brand guidelines, and escalating customer service issues when necessary. You will also use social listening tools to track brand mentions, industry trends, and competitor activity, providing insights into audience sentiment and identifying potential reputational risks.
• **Influencer Marketing Support:** Contributing to the influencer marketing process by assisting with identifying, researching, and screening potential influencers. You will help with onboarding, briefing, and managing influencer collaborations, ensuring deliverables meet campaign requirements and compliance standards. Tracking the performance of influencer campaigns will also be part of your remit.
• **Paid Media Campaign Assistance:** Supporting the execution and monitoring of paid media campaigns. This includes assisting with campaign setup validation, audience targeting reviews, and budget tracking, working in tandem with media agencies and platform partners to ensure campaigns are optimised against key performance indicators.
• **Integrated Campaign Coordination:** Contributing to the end-to-end implementation of integrated digital campaigns by assisting with project management, coordinating briefings, and documenting meeting actions.

What They're Looking For

To excel in this Junior Channel Specialist role, you will need a foundational understanding of digital marketing principles and a strong eagerness to learn and develop your skills. Key attributes and skills include:

• A genuine interest in social media, influencer marketing, and paid digital media.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and external partners.
• Strong organisational skills and meticulous attention to detail, particularly when managing content calendars and campaign logistics.
• Analytical thinking capabilities to help interpret campaign performance data and social listening insights.
• Familiarity with major social media platforms and content management tools would be advantageous.
• An understanding of brand guidelines, compliance, and regulatory requirements in a marketing context is beneficial.
• A proactive and adaptable approach, with the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

This entry-level position at Absa provides a robust foundation for a career in digital marketing within a leading African financial institution. While specific remuneration can vary, junior marketing roles in South Africa often begin in the R15,000 to R25,000 per month range, depending on experience and the specific responsibilities. Absa, as a major employer, offers significant opportunities for professional development and career progression within its expansive marketing and communications departments.

Qualifications & Skills

Technical:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Digital Media/Marketing, Paid Media or related field.
• 2-4+ years' experience in digital marketing, social media, influencer marketing, media planning, content management, or paid media.
• A strong knowledge of Facebook Business & Ads Manager, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter and LinkedIn.
• Familiarity with digital Media tools (e.g. DV360, Google Ads, Search Ads)
• Understanding of Social Listening, Customer Engagement and Community Management Platforms/Tools
• Understanding of Campaign Management Platforms/Tolls

Skills:

• Experience working with agencies, brands, or media environments.
• Exposure to campaign reporting and analytics.
• Experience coordinating social media or influencer campaigns is advantageous.
• Proven experience (internship or entry-level role) in digital marketing/Media, content creation, or similar field.
• Basic understanding of SEO principles, social media platforms, and digital advertising.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and derive actionable insights.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and work effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Core Competencies:

• Functional Competencies
  • Social Media Management
  • Influencer Marketing
  • Paid Media Fundamentals
  • Campaign Monitoring & Optimization
  • Data Analysis & Reporting
  • Digital Content Coordination
  • Social Listening

 

• Behavioral Competencies
  • Strong Attention to Detail
  • Proactive and Curious Mindset
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Planning and Organizing
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Collaboration and Teamwork
  • Adaptability and Learning Agility
  • Strong Written and Verbal Communication
  • Accountability and Execution Excellence

 

Job Role Split:  Influencer Management (30%), Social Content & Community Coordination (35%), and Paid Media Support, Analytics & Reporting, Campaign Management

Education

Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences (Required)

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.

Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised