Manager: External Communications

Let's Write Africa's Story Together!

Old Mutual is a firm believer in the African opportunity and our diverse talent reflects this.

Job Description

The role is responsible for executing external communications plans and providing strategic advisory counsel to strengthen Old Mutual’s reputation and engagement with external stakeholders.

Key Result Areas

Strategic Communication and Reputation Management

• Develop and implement the annual Group External Communications plan for thought leadership to drive consistent earned media visibility throughout the year.

• Shape proactive media positioning that reinforces Old Mutual’s Value Creation Story and supports positive evaluation of its financial performance and growth strategy.

• Drive advocacy that strengthens Old Mutual’s reputation and share of voice by refining the network of external advocacy partners and activating the right engagement platforms to amplify the Value Creation story.

• Identify opportunities to strengthen the Group’s reputation and showcase market leadership.

• Monitor and analyse media coverage, industry trends and public sentiment to inform reputation management and support balanced, positive reporting.

Thought Leadership and Executive Communication

• Develop high-impact content that positions Old Mutual as an industry thought leader, including opinion pieces, press releases, webinars and LinkedIn thought leadership profiles.

• Secure strategic speaker opportunities that advance Old Mutual’s thought leadership agenda and strengthen executive visibility.

• Execute the Group thought leadership programme by leveraging experts across clusters to elevate Old Mutual’s market relevance, prioritising high-impact multi-channel media platforms to drive reach and visibility.

• Create briefing documents for media interviews, public engagements, and industry conferences.

• Lead briefings for identified spokespeople, managing expectations, aligning on requirements, timelines and ways of working.

• Ensure alignment with strategic media partnerships to drive synergies and deliver against agreed outcomes.

• Drive integrated execution of external communications initiatives across the employee base with an internal first approach, media engagement, owned social channels and advocate amplification.

Spokesperson enablement

• Provide media training and coaching to spokespeople to ensure they are prepared for interviews and public appearances.

Advocacy Programme

• Refine and activate the advocacy champion network to amplify Old Mutual’s Value Creation story through credible, trusted voices.

• Secure and manage external advocacy partners who strengthen reputation, trust and share of voice.

• Leverage advocacy platforms to extend reach, deepen engagement and enable meaningful stakeholder dialogue.

• Translate insights into practical financial education content that drives understanding, action and behavioural change.

Media Relations

• Build and maintain a robust network of relationships with journalists, editors, and industry analysts in financial services and business media.

• Act as the primary contact for media relations and newsroom management for thought leadership initiatives.

• Pitch compelling stories about Old Mutual’s strategic direction, vision, financial performance, new offerings, services and products.

• Support senior executives with briefing materials and messaging for key conferences, events and public engagements.

• Manage media relations and communications for key strategic events.

• Support the Head of Group Communications in co-managing media monitoring and strategic corporate communications agency relationships.

Governance

• Enhance the Communications Framework (playbook, principles, policies and protocols) and socialise updates through the Communications Community of Practice.

• Monitor compliance with communications policies, principles, house views and frameworks, and support the resolution of non-adherence.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach and performance-manage direct report, building clear capability pathways and development plans.

• Create a high-performing, audience-centric and digitally fluent team culture.

• Represent Group Communications in cross-functional forums, including the Communications Community of Practice, and coordinate delivery with Human Capital, Risk, Finance, Technology and cluster communications teams where required.

Qualifications and Experience

• Relevant undergraduate degree or qualification in Strategic Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing and/or Digital Marketing or a related discipline.

• 5-7 years’ progressive corporate communications experience, including at least 3 years in external communications within a large, complex or matrixed organisation.

• Proven experience managing direct reports and improving team capability, quality and delivery discipline.

• Extensive experience in defining and implementing communications plans, including driving communication standards and governance across a large and complex business.

• Experience across the African continent is advantageous.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking and business acumen — connects Old Mutual’s corporate strategy to drive communication outcomes.

• Executive influence and stakeholder partnering — advises senior leaders with confidence, judgement and credibility.

• Digital and AI fluency — models responsible, creative and practical use of digital tools and AI-enabled communication workflows.

• People leadership — coaches, develops and mobilises a team within a lean, matrixed environment.

• Audience insight — uses data, social listening and segmentation to improve relevance and impact.

• Measurement and reporting — define media, reputation and engagement KPIs, interpret performance data, and turn insight into action.

 

Skills

Action Planning, Adaptive Thinking, Data Compilation, Executing Plans, Managing Stakeholder Expectations, Oral Communications, Policies & Procedures, Policy Development, Presenting Solutions, Professional Presentation, Second Language, Strategic Planning, Strategic Prioritization, Writing

Competencies

Balances Stakeholders

Business Insight

Communicates Effectively

Cultivates Innovation

Customer Focus

Interpersonal Savvy

Plans and Aligns

Situational Adaptability

Education

Bachelors Degree (B) (Required)

Closing Date

23 August 2026 , 23:59

The appointment will be made from the designated group in line with the Employment Equity Plan of Old Mutual South Africa and the specific business unit in question.

The Old Mutual Story!