Media Specialist - Communications Team

What will you do?

To help manage and execute an external communications (media/PR) strategy in support of the overarching SLS business strategy and aligned to the broader Sanlam Group business strategy. 

Your experience as a media and communications specialist will enable your proactive work in this context and will also require you to support crisis and reputation management on behalf of the business. 

You will work closely with the Head of Communication in BTSS and our appointed PR agency, as well as with marketing teams in SLS businesses such as Sanlam Risk & Savings, Sanlam Legacy, Sanlam Credit Solutions and Sanlam Connect. You will regularly engage with other internal stakeholders such as members of the SLS Exco, subject matter experts, product actuaries, business heads, our medical department, legal team, etc.

Your role will require you to support the conceptualisation and creation of high-quality, audience-relevant content (i.e. financial literacy and thought leadership) aimed at informing, educating and empowering our clients and the public at large, and positioning Sanlam as an industry leader. Based on your knowledge of the media landscape, you will identify relevant and impactful media to engage and target, including trade publications, top tier financial and consumer media across the print, broadcast, digital and social media spectrum. 

You will support the PR agency, as required, to collate relevant content for media purposes. This engagement may require you to conduct one-on-one interviews with business experts, arrange for interviews to be conducted by our PR agency, or pursue other practical methods which will enable the creation of required content. 

You will also help to manage and facilitate requests for media interviews and be involved in tracking and reporting on media coverage.
As a member of the SLS communications team, your media focus forms part of a broader integrated communications strategy, and you will therefore understand the need to be involved in elements of internal communication, where relevant and required. 

What will make you successful in this role?

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Media Engagement

Execute external communications strategies and media action plans in partnership with the PR agency and aligned to business objectives.
Immersion in the subject matter of various SLS businesses to identify media opportunities and guide content development.
Supporting internal communication needs, as a member of the SLS communications team, noting the often-integrated nature of media-focused communication and internal staff communication. 
Maintain high levels of awareness of media and social media conversation as part of your role to manage and mitigate reputational risk for Sanlam.

Content Creation & Media Production

Write, edit, and produce high-quality relevant content including media releases, articles, holding statements for risk scenarios, and social media posts.
Tailor content for diverse audiences across relevant platforms.
Draft content for internal communication purposes, as require.  

Media Relations & Monitoring

Build and maintain strong relationships with Sanlam’s PR agency.
Build and maintain meaningful relationships with financial and consumer media, as well as trade media and social media influencers.
Manage media liaison and ensure timely, accurate responses to media queries.
Media monitoring and analysis - compiling regular reports on media coverage and media campaigns.

Crisis & Reputation Management

Participate in/ support crisis communication and reputation management.

Internal Communications 

Your understanding of the integrated nature of corporate communication will underpin the communication support which you will deliver for internal purposes, based on the business need.   
Agency & Stakeholder Engagement
Build and maintain excellent internal relationships with marketing teams, business experts and spokespeople, as well as our PR agency.
Ensure efficient processes and regular engagement between internal stakeholders and the PR agency.
Forge and maintain relationships with communications teams across SLS businesses as well as across the Group

Innovation & AI Integration

Explore and apply AI tools in support of relevant media and communications work.
Stay informed about emerging technologies and trends in media and communications.

Role Requirements/Output

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Journalism, Communication, or Media Studies with relevant majors.

Knowledge and Skills:

Strong interest in and understanding of the South African financial services landscape.
Excellent writing, editing, and interviewing skills.
Experience in journalism, corporate communications, and/or public relations.
Interest in or familiarity with AI applications in media and communications.
Proven ability to identify and leverage topical media opportunities.
Strong knowledge of financial media and social media.
Proficiency in media monitoring and reporting tools.
Understanding of financial literacy imperatives in the SA market.
Basic financial and economic concepts.
Experience in crisis and reputation management.
Proficiency in publishing tools (e.g., WordPress, Excel) and MS Office Suite.
Familiarity with internal communication platforms (e.g., Teams, Viva Engage).

Experience:

7–10 years in external communication/media/public relations.
Minimum 3 years in journalism, marketing, or corporate communications.
Experience in financial services communication environments.
Proven ability to manage external agencies and media relationships.
Experience in corporate-level reputation and crisis management.
Strong organizational, process-driven, and collaborative work style.

Output/Core Tasks:

Development and implementation of media plans.
High-quality content production across multiple platforms.
Media monitoring, reporting, and analysis.
Crisis communication support and reputational risk mitigation.
Internal communication support.
Stakeholder and agency engagement management.
Timely submission of media reports and coverage results.

Knowledge and Skills

Personal Attributes

Build a successful career with us

We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping  our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

Core Competencies

Turnaround time

Closing Date: 27 June 2025

The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers. 

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