Head of Brand and Communications at West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC)

Job Objective:

The Head of Brand and Communications is responsible for creating, delivering and measuring the effectiveness of a comprehensive strategic internal and external communications plan that fully supports WIOCC Group business objectives – covering employees, clients, prospects, shareholders, trade bodies and associations, media, analysts and other influencers. This is an integrated strategic communications role with responsibility for B2B content and distribution across digital, advertising, event management, PR, facilities and internal communications.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities, but are not limited to:

• Work with the Group CMO and Country Marketing teams to develop, agree and deliver an integrated communications strategy for WIOCC Group
• Agree, document and maintain a communications plan covering all internal and external
  communications activity, sharing this with all stakeholders on a regular basis
• Manage implementation of the communications plan, to include:
  • Identifying and recommending appropriate industry events, conferences, workshops and seminars, assisting with content creation and fully supporting the logistics required to maximise return on investment
  • Selecting suitable African and international publications with which to place advertising, negotiating favourable terms, generating suitable adverts and liaising with publishers to ensure maximum return on investment
  • Working alone and with agencies to source opportunities for further free-of-charge exposure in African and international publications – supporting journalists and/or developing copy to fulfil such opportunities
  • Developing press releases, articles and compelling “thought leadership” pieces for African and international markets
  •  Producing internal and external newsletters to communicate developments and “good news”
  • Managing WIOCC Group websites, blogs and social media presence
  • Preparing external presentations for delivery at conferences etc., as required
• Manage WIOCC Group and associated brands to ensure consistency, maximising market awareness and impact within Africa and internationally
• Work with Country Marketing and Sales teams to ensure that they have the knowledge and resources to achieve maximum success in the market, including managing a comprehensive set of materials (collateral and giveaway’s) to help them in promoting WIOCC Group companies’ capabilities to existing and potential clients
• Support operations and client service teams in optimising client satisfaction, retention and opportunities for upselling of additional services
• Develop and enhance appropriate channels to ensure excellent internal communications, including
  newsletters, desktop, office branding, etc., measuring the impact of communications on employees and recommending/implementing improvements where appropriate
• Provide leadership, advice, guidance and support as the line manager of the Brand/Marketing
  Communications team
• Track industry and competitor news, sharing items of strategic importance and documenting key
  activities in WIOCC Group markets and beyond
• Identify and pursue opportunities to secure industry award nominations, shortlisting’s and successes
•  Ensure that WIOCC Group continues to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by digital/online channels – including optimising websites, blogs, SEO, paid promotion, etc.
• Select and manage external agencies as required, including press/PR, design and digital
• Together with the Group CMO and Country Marketing teams, develop the annual Marketing
  Communications budget build for the following year
• Work with the Commercial team to ensure that supplier expectations are managed appropriately and that bills are paid on time
•  Other duties at the discretion of the CMO/CEO

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Marketing, Advertising, Communication, Finance, or any related field
• A postgraduate degree will be advantageous
• 8+ years’ experience in communications, marketing, or media
• Extensive list of media contacts
• Awareness of and proficiency with communications technologies
• Experience in stakeholder/community engagement

Experience & Skills

• Well-developed client engagement skills and experience spanning pre-sales, technical support and product lifecycle management
• Excellent understanding of the connectivity and data centre/storage/cloud environment
• The ability to engage with internal and client teams to implement and continuously improve our wholesale connectivity services and a cutting-edge portfolio of data centre/cloud products
• Proven product development/management experience within an ICT focused environment.
• Results oriented with excellent interpersonal, communication and social skills.
• A forward planner with clear focus, well-organised, detail-oriented and able to multi-task
• Have a high sense of accuracy, attention for detail and with strong analytical ability
• Understanding of commercial financial details – thinks in terms of profit/loss/value-add
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain excellent relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders
• Good market research skills and conversant with the market trends within the industry
• Able to manage multiple work streams and priorities concurrently

Attributes

• Client focused, relationship builder
• Integrity, honest with high ethical standards
• Boundless, passionate and flexible
• Personal excellence, accuracy and attention to detail
• Collaborative, achieve results through teamwork and partnerships
• Persuading and Influencing