Communication and Stakeholder Lead

Communications and Stakeholder Lead: Transformation Fund | Johannesburg | 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract

Drive a high-profile national transformation initiative from the front line of communications and stakeholder engagement. This role is ideal for a seasoned communications leader who thrives on execution, coordination, and visible impact.

As Communications and Stakeholder Lead, you will be embedded in the Marketing and Communications team and the Project Management Office, owning the day-to-day roll-out of a strategic Transformation Fund. You will translate strategy into coordinated campaigns, content, and stakeholder touchpoints that build awareness, credibility, and understanding of the Fund across South Africa. This is a hands-on delivery role that blends brand stewardship, media relations, digital engagement, and stakeholder communication in a complex, fast-paced environment.

You will work closely with senior leaders, technical workstreams, and external partners to ensure that every communication ? from media releases to social posts, roadshow collateral, and briefing notes ? is accurate, on-message, and aligned to corporate CI. You will manage workflows, approvals, and timelines, keeping multiple deliverables moving while maintaining a high standard of writing, design, and execution.

Our client is a leading South African development finance institution with a mandate to advance inclusive economic growth. The organisation plays a critical role in driving transformation through financial and non-financial support to black-owned and managed businesses, with a strong focus on sustainability, governance, and impact. You will join a purpose-led environment where professional excellence is expected and where your work will contribute directly to increased economic participation and transformation outcomes.

What You Will Do

• Serve as the embedded communications and stakeholder lead for the Transformation Fund, working closely with Marketing and Communications and the PMO.
• Implement and manage the Fund?s communications calendar across all channels, ensuring consistent, on-brand roll-out of campaigns and initiatives.
• Draft, edit, and quality-check a wide range of content including media releases, talking points, internal communication, newsletters, digital copy, social media posts and website updates.
• Coordinate content approvals, version control and sign-off processes, ensuring compliance with CI, tone of voice and key messaging.
• Drive media relations activity: build and maintain media lists, prepare media kits and briefing notes, coordinate interviews and briefings, and track coverage and sentiment.
• Oversee the day-to-day digital and social media presence for the Transformation Fund, including posting, scheduling, basic community management and content optimisation.
• Compile regular digital analytics and media monitoring summaries with clear insights and recommendations.
• Provide communication and coordination support for stakeholder events such as roadshows, roundtables, summits, provincial engagements, webinars and online sessions.
• Manage the development and production of collateral including brochures, flyers, banners, presentations, fact sheets, FAQs and multimedia content.
• Prepare monthly progress reports and a comprehensive close-out report at the end of the contract, consolidating performance metrics, impact, and lessons learned.

What You Bring

• Bachelor?s degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field; a postgraduate qualification will be an advantage.
• At least 10 years? relevant experience in marketing and communications, including a minimum of 3 years in a leadership or senior specialist role.
• Experience within financial services (or a related, highly regulated environment) is essential.
• Proven track record in developing and executing integrated marketing and communication strategies that drive brand awareness, visibility and engagement.
• Strong PR and media relations capability, including drafting media materials, engaging with journalists and managing coverage.
• Solid experience in social media management (corporate or public sector), digital content and analytics.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines and stakeholders in a structured, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent writing, editing and messaging skills with the ability to translate complex information into clear, audience-appropriate content.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and event coordination experience, with confidence representing an organisation at public or industry events.
• High level of attention to detail, strong aesthetic judgement and a keen understanding of CI and brand standards.
• Familiarity with government communication, policy environments, and transformation narratives will be advantageous.

What Success Looks Like

• The Transformation Fund is clearly understood by key audiences, with increased awareness and positive sentiment across media, digital channels, and stakeholder groups.
• Communications and stakeholder engagement activities are well-planned, well-documented and executed on time, with minimal rework and strong alignment to strategy and CI.
• A steady pipeline of quality content is delivered across media, digital and internal channels, with measurable improvements in reach, engagement and impact.
• Stakeholder events and engagements are well-supported from an end-to-end communications perspective, with clear messaging, professional collateral and effective follow-up.
• Senior stakeholders trust you as a reliable, proactive partner who brings structure, insight and solutions to complex communication challenges.
• A comprehensive close-out report and content archive are in place, enabling continuity and future optimisation of the Transformation Fund?s communication efforts.