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 successful candidate will lead the Old Mutual Limited (OML) Group Communications function, translating the Group's Integrated Financial Services strategy into a functional plan - to be underpinned by a target driven delivery horizon of 1 - 3 years.

The role drives the delivery of the communications strategy across the Group to a wide range of stakeholders to promote and profile the OML Group. This includes development and implementation of the OML internal and external communications and stakeholder affairs strategies, using traditional and non-traditional methods and proactive brand reputation management. The function will also provide direction, input, support and co-ordination of this capability across OML business units.

Reporting to the Director: Group Strategy |Public Affairs |People | Sustainability, this role Leads the Group Communications Leadership team. Success will be achieved by providing best practice, integrated strategic direction and lead the execution of the strategy and business objectives. The role is accountable for both internal and external objectives, creating opportunities for the profiling of OML and positioning the organisation to be our customers’ first choice.

Key Result Areas:

Strategy Development and Implementation

Formulate the OML Group Communications strategy and business plan, ensuring it is aligned to the long-term business ambition:

Group Communications

• Responsible for the strategic storytelling of the corporate narrative for the OML Group and managing the delivery of this narrative across the Group - what OML wants to be known for.
• Develop and implement internal group-wide communications through omnichannel approach fostering a dynamic internal culture. This is particularly relevant during times of change thereby contributing to a culture of togetherness and shared goals.
• Provides strategic support on communications to segments & business units and ensures alignment between OML and the rest of the group wide messages.
• Develop strategies that promote diversity and inclusion within their organizations and communicate these efforts effectively.
• Acts as OML’s “reputation protector” by managing reputational risk by minimising negative impact on trust and reputation – responsible for communicating OML’s response to changes in the external environment such as societal, political, and economic issues.
• Take overall responsibility for designing, developing and delivering custom external communications systems, including communications aimed at stakeholder groupings.
• Responsible for opportunity identification from an internal and external perspective.

Stakeholder Affairs

• Responsible for developing, delivering, monitoring, and maintaining good relationships between Old Mutual and its key strategic stakeholders, in the form of individuals, organisations and communities that have the most influence on company outcomes.
• Proactively develop and manage effective relationships with primary stakeholders (governments unions and stakeholders within the financial services market) to support the good standing of OML and to deliver the desired impact on the group.
• Identify and map the needs and expectations of the external stakeholders to deliver suitable engagement approaches that unlock shared value for OML and stakeholders.
• Able to craft an approach to stakeholder affairs that will drive the OML stated socio-economic goals of financial inclusion, sustainability and the building of stronger economies across South Africa.
• Delivers Tier One Engagements and Strategic Projects, inclusive of the national partnerships.
• Monitor and evaluate the quality of OML’s stakeholder engagement and relationships to identify and manage any stakeholder risks.
• Provide input on all political matters to support in the appropriate handling of political matters that affect OML and its stakeholders.
• Manage OML relationship with government bodies’ regulators, advisors, unions and stakeholders
• Guide and manage lobbying activities with external stakeholders for OML

Functional Management

• Collaborate cross functionally to manage and enhance OML’s brand reputation, manages external perceptions and handle crisis communication to protect the brand during challenging times. Integrated into the broader strategic planning of the organisation, aligning communications and reputation management with business goals.
• Lead the development and deployment of frameworks and tools ensuring that these meet business needs.
• Ensuring that all communication materials, including press releases comply with internal and industry regulation and legal requirements is essential.
• Identify the capabilities needed to meet the current and emerging business needs and evaluate current capabilities, identify gaps, and prioritize development activities.

Stakeholder Management

• Develop a “Trusted Advisor” relationship with key leaders at multiple levels within the company.
• Identify and manage stakeholders up to Board level, determining their needs/issues/concerns and responding to these by leading and coordinating the development of engagement plans to support the communication of business information and decisions.
• Build and maintain partnering relationships throughout the organisation, with high levels of professional credibility and mutual trust, and ensuring that internal stakeholders have access to high-quality advice and guidance to support in delivering business strategy and plans.
• Manage relationships with external stakeholders and act as a lead spokesperson in key consultations and negotiations.

People Management

• Manage performance of direct professionals, ensuring agreement of annual goals, measuring performance against agreed goals, and addressing non-performance issues.
• Manage the working environment and ensure that it contributes to improving team morale, culture and increasing productivity.

Personal Effectiveness

• Manage budget plans for the function.
• Risk Management and ensuring risks are well articulated, understood and managed.
• Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. For example, offers penetrating questions to help others get to the heart of complex situations and find strong solutions. Uses a range of inputs to fully understand and solve problems.
• Applies knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organisation's goals. For example, ensures that the team understands and discusses relevant industry changes.
• Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments. For example, measures and tracks team's and own performance, and helps the team learn from success, failure, and feedback. Adheres to, and enforces, goals, policies, and procedures.
• Creates a culture where people are motivated to do their best to help the organisation achieve its objectives. For example, shares insight into the purpose of the work, involves others appropriately and gives them credit for their contributions.
• Develops and deploys multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Tailors’ communication content and style to the needs of others. Pays attention to others' input and perspectives, asks questions, and summarizes to confirm understanding.
• Builds strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals. For example, connects with others on team projects and leverages their strengths and knowledge to deliver the best possible results. Champions the decisions of the team and operates in a way that builds team spirit.

Requirements: Skills, Qualifications and Experience required:

• An MBA or master’s degree in business or management advantageous
• More than 5+ years' experience in financial services and / or related industry.
• More than 5+ years' experience in a senior leadership role.
• Adaptive thinking and a strong, critical mindset.
• Ability to manage complexity under pressure.
• Strong business acumen and presentation skills.
• Highly proficient at project planning, budgeting, and oversight.
• Forward-thinking and adaptable to dynamic situations.
• A solid understanding of innovation and how it should be applied in business.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills (both written and verbal)

Technical Competencies

• Entrepreneurial mindset, ability to identify, discover and launch new propositions, products or services.
• Experience in scaling initiatives.
• Experience in building / running similar capabilities within a corporate.
• Depth and breadth of network relationships in the ecosystems and industries alike.

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.

Skills

Business Strategies, External Stakeholders, Group Communications, Leadership, People Management, Relationship Management, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Communication Planning, Strategic Planning, Strategy Development

Education

Bachelors Degree (B) (Required)

Closing Date

08 March 2024

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.

Old Mutual Limited is pro-vaccination and encourages its workforce to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

All prospective employees are required to disclose their vaccination status as part of the recruitment process.

Please refer to the Old Mutual’s Covid-19 vaccination policy for further detail. Kindly note that Old Mutual reserves the right to reinstate the requirement to vaccinate at any point if it is of the view that it is imperative to do so.

The Old Mutual Story!