Senior Manager: Marketing

Absa is seeking a seasoned marketing leader to spearhead strategic initiatives across its Africa Regions. This is an opportunity to contribute to a financial institution with a significant history and a forward-looking vision for African growth, operating as a proudly African group with both local presence and international reach. The role demands a visionary individual who can not only devise innovative marketing plans but also effectively implement them to achieve measurable business outcomes.

About the Role

This senior management position is central to the marketing and communication efforts for Absa Africa Regions (AR). The successful candidate will be entrusted with the critical task of developing and executing marketing strategies that align with the organisation's broader objectives. A key aspect of this role involves managing integrated marketing campaigns across various channels, from traditional above-the-line (ATL) and below-the-line (BTL) activities to cutting-edge digital initiatives. The goal is to enhance brand perception, drive customer consideration, and ultimately stimulate business growth and lead generation within the diverse markets Absa serves across the continent.

The responsibilities of the Senior Manager: Marketing are multifaceted and demand a strategic, hands-on approach. You will be instrumental in:

• **Developing and implementing comprehensive marketing strategies:** This involves translating overarching business goals into actionable marketing plans tailored for different regions.
• **Managing integrated marketing campaigns:** This includes conceptualising, planning, and executing campaigns that span ATL, BTL, and digital platforms, ensuring a cohesive brand message and impactful delivery.
• **Overseeing brand management:** You will be the custodian of Absa's brand identity, ensuring consistency in messaging and visual representation across all customer touchpoints and marketing collateral.
• **Managing the marketing budget:** This entails allocating financial resources effectively to maximise return on investment (ROI) and ensuring prudent financial stewardship.
• **Driving digital marketing initiatives:** A strong focus will be placed on digital channels, encompassing social media, paid advertising, search engine optimisation (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), and content marketing, with an emphasis on a full-funnel approach.
• **Monitoring and analysing performance:** You will track key performance indicators (KPIs), analyse campaign data, and make data-driven adjustments to strategies to optimise results.
• **Fostering cross-functional collaboration:** Working closely with various departments within Absa is crucial to ensure alignment on brand and business objectives and to optimise budget utilisation.
• **Managing external partnerships:** This includes collaborating with agency partners to drive creativity and ensure media excellence in campaign execution.
• **Enabling regional capabilities:** A significant part of the role involves sharing best practices and facilitating skill development within country-level teams to enhance their marketing capabilities and demonstrate marketing's value as a business enabler.

What They're Looking For

To excel in this demanding yet rewarding position, Absa is looking for candidates with a robust background in marketing leadership and a proven ability to deliver results. Essential qualifications and experience include:

• A Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field, or an equivalent NQF Level 7 qualification.
• A minimum of 5 to 8 years of demonstrable experience in developing and executing innovative marketing strategies and successful campaigns.
• A deep understanding of marketing KPIs, effective budget management, and brand metrics.
• Significant experience in driving digital marketing efforts, with a strong emphasis on implementing full-funnel campaign strategies.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to motivate, engage, and align diverse teams across different geographical locations.
• The capacity to manage multiple projects concurrently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, coupled with a strong sense of accountability and ownership.
• **Preferred but not essential:** Pan-African regional experience would be highly advantageous, demonstrating an ability to navigate diverse markets and cultural nuances to position Absa effectively across the continent.

This role offers the chance to significantly impact Absa's brand presence and business performance in a dynamic and growing continent. As an equal opportunity employer, Absa is committed to diversity and inclusion, and preference will be given to suitably qualified candidates from designated groups.

In South Africa, a Senior Marketing Manager role with a large financial institution like Absa would typically command a competitive salary, often ranging from R600,000 to over R1,000,000 per annum, depending on experience and specific responsibilities. The growth path could lead to executive marketing positions or broader commercial leadership roles within the organisation. Absa, as a major player in the African financial landscape, offers extensive opportunities for career development and exposure to diverse markets.

 

Requirements:

 

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field or NQF 7 equivalent.
• 5 – 8 years’ Proven track record of success in developing and executing innovative marketing strategies and campaigns.
• Strong understanding of marketing KPIs, budget management and brand metrics.
• Experience in driving digital marketing initiatives, with a focus on delivering a full-funnel approach to campaigns.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, capable of motivating, engaging and aligning diverse teams across regions.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, with a strong sense of accountability and ownership.

 

Additional Requirement:

 

• Regional Pan Africa Experience Preferred: Ability to navigate diverse markets and cultural landscapes to effectively position Absa as the preferred banking partner across Africa.

 

Education

Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Marketing (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