Specialist: Group Communications

Absa, a prominent African financial institution with over a century of history, is seeking a Specialist in Group Communications to join their dynamic team in Johannesburg. This role is integral to shaping and disseminating internal communications, ensuring alignment with the broader business strategy and fostering a cohesive organisational narrative across the group. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in enhancing employee engagement and understanding of Absa’s strategic objectives and operational progress.

About the Role

The core purpose of this specialist position is to provide expert internal communications support to various stakeholders within the Absa Group. This encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, from managing operational communication initiatives and disseminating business information to crafting strategic messaging and developing engaging content for colleague engagement. The ultimate aim is to support stakeholder priorities, enhance understanding of business operations, and ensure all communications are seamlessly aligned with the overarching business strategy and the Group Marketing and Corporate Affairs (GMCA) strategy.

This role involves not only the execution of existing communication plans but also active participation in their development. The specialist will work closely with senior leadership and relevant teams to craft communications that resonate with employees and effectively convey the company's vision and operational realities. A deep understanding of the business's strategic goals, performance metrics, and future outlook is essential for shaping impactful communication strategies and materials. Proactive identification of potential issues and the proactive proposal of communication-driven solutions will be highly valued.

The Specialist: Group Communications will be responsible for a multifaceted array of tasks designed to enhance internal communication effectiveness. Key responsibilities include:

• **Implementing the Communications Strategy:** Contributing to the development and execution of a comprehensive communication programme, aligned with the strategies and priorities of Group Marketing and Corporate Affairs and executive leadership. This includes developing and implementing communications plans that support overarching objectives and align with Absa Group's messaging and strategic goals.
• **Content Development and Management:** Creating relevant, engaging, and grammatically accurate content across various formats, including ghost-written materials for senior leaders that capture their authentic voice. This also involves maintaining clear alignment with channel owners, managing the communications calendar, and ensuring content integrates into wider communication campaigns.
• **Platform Utilisation:** Leveraging a range of internal communication platforms, such as Absa Engage, My Gateway, The Weekly Update, Proudly Absa News, campus screens, lock screens, business unit platforms, and WhatsApp channels, to maximise visibility for initiatives across the business.
• **Stakeholder Engagement:** Developing and maintaining strong, trusting relationships with internal stakeholders and influencing them to drive communication initiatives forward. This includes participating in forums that foster internal alignment and collaboration, thereby building cohesion within the communications community.
• **Strategic Positioning:** Participating in the strategic positioning of executives for various internal and external audiences, often in partnership with media and stakeholder relations teams.
• **Problem Solving:** Applying communication expertise to address organisational challenges, achieve business objectives, and facilitate understanding of complex business issues.
• **Technological Innovation:** Driving innovation in internal communications technology, staying abreast of emerging technologies, channel effectiveness, and international best practices to enhance colleague communication and engagement.
• **Measurement and Reporting:** Advancing the internal communication measurement matrix, aligned with the GMCA scorecard, to effectively track communication effectiveness, employee engagement, and business impact.

What They're Looking For

Absa is seeking a candidate with a strong foundation in communication principles and a proven ability to apply them within a corporate environment. A Bachelor's Degree, Advanced Diploma, or B Tech (NQF7) in fields such as Marketing or Communications is preferred.

Essential experience includes:

• **Communication Expertise:** 3 to 5 years of experience in a communications role, demonstrating a solid understanding of communication strategy, execution, and content creation.
• **Campaign Management:** Exposure to client service, campaign execution, and quality management principles within a communications context.
• **Technical Proficiency:** Familiarity with advanced digital tools and platforms relevant to internal communications, including proficiency with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs).
• **Content Creation Skills:** Excellent writing capabilities for both long-form and short-form content, with the ability to adapt tone and style for different audiences and purposes.
• **Business Acumen:** A strong understanding of business strategy, operational planning, and performance measurement, with the ability to translate this understanding into effective communication strategies.
• **Collaboration:** A proven ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders to achieve common goals.
• **Regulatory Awareness:** Familiarity with regulatory compliance, particularly as it pertains to marketing communications.

The ideal candidate will possess a natural ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders, and deliver measurable results. They should be adept at process optimisation, service design, and data analysis to derive insights that inform communication efforts. A strong understanding of governance and compliance within a financial services context is also advantageous.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the internal narrative of a leading African financial services group. Such specialist communication roles within large South African organisations typically require a blend of strategic thinking and hands-on execution, with a strong emphasis on employee engagement and alignment. Career progression often leads to broader communication strategy roles or management positions within corporate affairs or marketing departments.

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

Education

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