The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that research, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisations work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.
Manager: Brand and Corporate Communications
About The Job
The CSIR has a vacancy for Manager: Brand and Corporate Communicationsin the Human Capital Communications Portfolio, who will be responsible for planning and implementing activities that shape, strengthen, and protect the CSIR brand. The incumbent will also be responsible for developing plans and executing projects and initiatives that support the broader CSIR communications and marketing strategy. Additionally, this role will lead the internal communications strategies that is aligned to the CSIRs values, brand image and strategic objectives with the purpose of enhancing employee engagement and establishing the desired organisational culture. This position is based in Pretoria.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership
- Develop and implement the Brand and Corporate Communications Strategy, in line with the overall CSIR strategic objectives
- Lead the organisation around the brand vision, positioning and strategies.
- Manage the CSIR Brand and Corporate Communications team, as well as the Internal Communications team.
- Manage and develop staff to ensure high quality personnel who are able to achieve performance objectives in support of the CSIR mission and vision
- Oversee the development of the brand component to form part of the organisational communication strategy, standards and practices that elicit the behaviour, emotion and recognition of the CSIR objectives.
- Develop brand guidelines and ensure consistent adherence to guidelines for all marketing materials and activities, as well as where the brand is applied on products, services or programmes of the CSIR.
- Develop key messages for all audiences to communicate core brand identity.
- Work closely with all content development portfolios including graphic designers and editors to ensure that the message is consistent with overall marketing and communication objectives.
- Provide reports to the Group Manager: Strategic Communications.The reports will include but not be limited to the status of prioritised marketing and communication activities.
- Research and track brand trends and conduct appropriate market research on similar/competitive services and firms.
- Drive consumer understanding and insights that define stakeholders needs, attitudes and values in order for these to have stronger and more impactful brand experiences.
- Engage both internal and external stakeholders to enhance CSIR reputation and profile.
- Ensure units, clusters, centres and portfolios are brand aligned and that the CSIR is adequately represented in associated brands hosted or managed by the CSIR.
- Support in monitoring brand health metrics and support the development of new brand tracking across the organisation.
- Oversee the compilation, production and distribution of specific deliverables, some of which are compulsory within the recommended external stakeholder communication mix, i.e Corporate Annual Reports, Corporate Overview Presentations, Corporate Printed Promotion Material, Corporate video etc.
- Ensure alignment with External Communication Department in matters regarding external stakeholder communication.
- Manage the wider corporate communications team that includes cross-cutting services such as editing, online-editing and graphic design.
- Develop plans and strategic internal communications interventions aligned to the brand development strategies as part of the communications strategy.
- Design methods for regular monitoring and evaluating of the extent of internal awareness and alignment of employees, and responsively integrate insights into an evolving Internal Communications Strategy.
- Implement internal campaigns championed by CSIR Leadership, including delivering internal communication items in support of Executives and the CEOs speeches, memos and other internal communication items.
- Provide quality control of all internal communications products to ensure all internal communication products are appropriately packaged, up-to-date and aligned for maximum relevance and impact.
- Develop cross-organisational communication campaigns aimed at supporting organisational change and alignment initiatives, disseminate relevant information, and encourage meaningful internalisation of the CSIRs strategic objectives, culture and values by all of its employees.
- Establish collaborative relationships and coordinate efforts across Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Relations portfolios to effectively and efficiently implement cross-cutting projects and initiatives ensuring alignment between internal and external communication.
- Entrench the CSIR brand image in all internal communication mechanisms, through consistent implementation and responsive repositioning.
- Provide guidance for internal events to ensure that the desired internal communication message is transmitted and the brand, culture and values are appropriately portrayed.
- Coordinate the sourcing of content across the department for a variety of communication platforms utilised by internal communications (e.g. internal articles, information briefs, intra-web and/or newsletter).
- Manage CSIR requirements on budget and time.
- Develop and manage the Brand and Communications budgets including budget allocated for projects
- Ensure cost effective service delivery.
- Ensure complience with financial requirements .
- Development and implementation of Brand Strategies.
- Management and Promotion of Brands.
- Development and implementation of Corporate Communication Strategies as well as Internal Communication.
- Project Management.
- Experience in managing a diverse team of professionals.
- Experience in interacting with stakeholders in government, the private sector, and media.
- Experience in interacting with Executives at a strategic level.
- Excellent writing skills.
- Advanced Business Communication skills.
- Knowledge of the Communication and Media Channels with strong networking abilities.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to engage with stakeholders from all levels.
- Strategy development skills.
- People management skills.
- Excellent time-management skills.
- Be abreast with trends in the field of branding and communications, especially science communications, and using best.
- practices to strengthen the CSIR brand.
- Have a good eye for detail and how the brand will find expression in all communication interventions.
- All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.
For more info, please email us at Recruitmentinfo@csir.co.za Please do-not send application to this mailbox, it is only for inquiries.
The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the employment Equity Act and will through the filling of this vacancy, give preference to candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from registered credit bureau and/or South African Police Services (in relation to positions that requires trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances), and may also verify the applicants educational qualification and employment history. The CSIR reserves the right to remove the advertisement at any time before the stated closing date and it further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.
