Introduction
Metropolitan is one of the oldest financial services brands in South Africa. With a 125-year legacy of serving the communities in which it operates, Metropolitan represents true empowerment in serving Africa's people through affordable financial solutions that create financial growth and security. Metropolitan operates in South Africa, but the brand is also present in 7 African countries including, Namibia, Botswana, Kenya, Ghana and Lesotho. Metropolitan provides financial wellness solutions that meet the needs of low-income clients, including funeral insurance, health, savings, hospital cash-back cover, retirement solutions and life insurance. www.metropolitan.co.za
Disclaimer
As an applicant, please verify the legitimacy of this job advert on our company career page.
Role Purpose
Develop and implement strategic public relations initiatives and client engagement strategies to enhance Metropolitan’s visibility and strengthen relationships with clients and stakeholders. Drive marketing focus on support of sales, services and client retention efforts; ensuring excellence of marketing interventions.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Public relations, Communications, Marketing, or a related qualification
- 5-8 years of experience in public relations, communications, or client engagement roles
- Proven track record of successfully managing media relations and client communications
Duties & Responsibilities
Public Relations Strategy Development & Execution:
- Design and implement comprehensive PR strategies that align with business objectives.
- Identify key media outlets, spokespeople and influencers relevant to the target audience.
- Implement public relations, thought leadership, profiling of Exco members and communication plans.
- Develop content for content marketing and advertorials for all media.
- Produce high-quality content for various channels, including websites, blogs, and social media.
- Collaborate with internal teams to create compelling stories that highlight products/services.
- Ensure the marketing interventions (activations, communication, engagements, events comply with the Metropolitan CI (Corporate Identity) and aligns to brand positioning.
Media Relations:
- Build and maintain relationships with journalists, bloggers, and influencers.
- Draft press releases, media kits, and other PR materials.
- Coordinate media events, press conferences, and interviews Video Production
Client Engagement:
- Develop strategies to grow client value, support new business development, demonstrate the Metropolitan Life difference.
- Demonstrate knowledge of key clients, client value and contribution to Metropolitan Life business.
- Create engagement strategies, including newsletters, webinars, and surveys to gather client.
- Act as the primary point of contact for client communications and inquiries.
- Co-ordination of Metropolitan wide engagement calendar.
- Ensure client engagement approach and used of platforms aligns to regulatory requirements.
Content Creation & Event Planning:
- Produce high-quality content for various channels, including websites, blogs, and social media.
- Collaborate with internal teams to create compelling stories that highlight products/services.
- Organize promotional events, product launches, and other activities aimed at enhancing the brand's image.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure successful event execution.
Reputation tracking:
- Be knowledgeable about crisis management processes and procedures.
- Draft media responses to public inquiries promptly and solicit relevant approvals before publishing on communication platforms.
Analysis and Reporting:
- Monitor media coverage and track PR campaign performance against objectives.
- Prepare regular reports on PR activities and client engagement metrics.
- Report on effectiveness of marketing interventions and making recommendations for improvements where necessary.
- Continuously monitor marketing trends and keep abreast of competitive products in the marketplace and what competitors are doing with regards to themes in the market.
Team & stakeholder Collaboration:
- Engage with stakeholders to understand their needs, expectations and concerns.
- Work closely with marketing, channel, service & operations, client experience and solutions teams to align PR and client engagement efforts with broader business objectives.
- Lead PR-related projects and manage any external agencies or consultants.
- Provide guidance and training to leaders and employees on effective communication practices, interacting with media and tools.
Budget Management:
- Manage marketing budget to ensure efficient allocation of resources and maximise ROI
- Monitor and record all channel marketing expenses diligently.
- Conduct regular variance analysis to identify discrepancies between budgeted and actual expenses.
- Identify areas where costs can be reduced without compromising quality or effectiveness.
- Negotiate with vendors and service providers to secure favourable pricing and contracts.
Personal Mastery and Leadership:
- Pursue personal and professional development opportunities such as workshops courses and certification relevant to marketing.
- Approach obstacles with a solution oriented mindset and be willing to experiment with innovative, creative solutions.
- Demonstrate the qualities you value in leadership such as integrity, empathy and collaboration to inspire others.
- Manage time effectively, prioritising tasks and meeting deadlines independently.
Competencies
- Generating Ideas
- Developing Expertise
- Producing Output
- Meeting Timescales
- Challenging Ideas
- Inviting Feedback
- Establishing Rapport
- Showing Composure