External Communications Manager at Vodafone Ghana

Description

Role purpose: 
•    To lead the development and execution of communication strategies with a focus on managing corporate brand related risks and opportunities to protect and build reputation       and brand value.
•    Provide strategic communication solutions for the business and offer oversight responsibility for engaging with stakeholders.
•    Develop a process to manage and align the company’s external messaging in a way that builds and sustains Vodafone’s image and reputation.
•    Work closely with local and international media houses to manage Vodafone’s media exposure.
•    Coordinate the external communications and the stakeholder engagement work streams to deliver the strategic objectives of the business.
•    Be the main SPOC for Vodafone Ghana on all external communications, studying trends across other VF Opcos for best practice sharing etc.
•    Responsible for managing the PR of the Foundation to promote brand affinity and ensure a strategic communication plan for the Foundation all year through.

Job Responsibility

Communications and Media Relations:
•    Liaise with the Foundation and Sustainability manager in facilitating internal and external communications and visibility on the Foundation and Sustainability issues
•    Public Profiling /Awareness Creation on the Work of the foundation
•    Act as the communications business partner for senior management and various functions, providing relevant communication solutions to help build the Vodafone Brand
•    Develop and execute integrated communication plans aligned to the strategic objectives of the business
•    Fashion out policy standards applicable to Corporate Communications in line with Group standards
•    Manage the media exposure of the C.E.O. and all SMT members through the necessary preparations, Q and As, fact sheets and interview schedules.
•    Monitor news items and ensure that the right mitigation measures are taken on negative stories about the VF brand.
•    Supervise the tracking, on a daily basis, of reporting on VF Ghana and competitors in key news channels.
•    Pitch stories in a way that generates positive news for the Vodafone brand.
•    Develop and sustain relationships with key media personnel to help Vodafone’s story telling.
•    Create content for news releases, articles, speeches, presentations for various channels including Vodafone’s website, Facebook, Twitter and any other social media channels
•    Develop and implement a social media strategy for VF to enhance competitive advantage
•    Develop and apply monthly themes to the various content created and distributed across news channels.

Reputation Management and Public Relations:

•    Develop programs to enhance the profile and reputation of Vodafone as the telecom company of choice in Ghana
•    Prepare position papers for Vodafone on critical industry issues and ensure consistent messaging across audience
•    Position Vodafone as a thought-leader in the telecoms industry through relevant engagements and exposures
•    Provide guidance and direction in a way that ensures that Vodafone leverages the PR value in its key events and sponsorships.

Core competencies, knowledge and experience:
•    Media relations management and Communication strategy development
•    Experience in providing communication guidance to senior management
•    Stakeholder identification, mapping and analysis
•    Project management, communication and reporting experience
•    Good knowledge of business structures and processes.
•    Excellent written and communication skills.
•    Strong numeracy and analytical skills (Essential)
•    Ability to develop and manage budget
•    Ability to work with people effectively at all levels both within and outside the organization
•    Executes media relations, content and channel management for social media/digital storytelling, financial, corporate, policy and crisis communications
•    Plan and activate specific communications and media profiling of CEO, Board and Senior Executives in line with company priorities.
•    Provide communications for overall EA strategy and priorities to drive engagement and reputational improvements among key external stakeholders

Must have technical / professional qualification:

•    Good understanding of the environmental and socio-economic agenda, through qualification and experience (Essential)
•    Knowledgeable in Social Responsibility in general with focus on Ghanaian environment.
•    Possess strong organization and communication skills.
•    Ability to work independently and under pressure to meet short deadlines.
•    Have good interpersonal skills to accommodate all shades of opinion from people with diverse background in the discharge of the role.
•    Demonstrable expertise in understanding the needs of an organization’s audiences and delivering appropriate messages using a variety of channels
•    Prior experience in developing and implementing an effective strategic external communication plan for a large organization
•    Must have ten (10) years minimum experience in Corporate Communications or related field in a large organization