Job Description

Let's Write Africa's Story Together!

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

The Senior Communications Consultant supports the Senior Communications Manager in building, protecting and advancing the reputation of Old Mutual Insure through strategic external communications, media relations, executive positioning, thought leadership, stakeholder engagement, issues management and data-driven communications programmes. The role contributes to the design, implementation and ongoing enhancement of reputation-led communications initiatives that support business growth, stakeholder trust, market authority and measurable communications outcomes.

Working in partnership with the Senior Communications Manager and key business stakeholders, the incumbent assists in translating OMI’s strategic priorities into compelling narratives, proactive media opportunities, executive visibility initiatives and stakeholder-focused communication campaigns. The role also supports agency management, communications governance, crisis readiness and the adoption of future-fit communication practices through the use of analytics, reputation intelligence, AI-enabled tools and emerging communication trends.

Responsibilities

Strategic External Communications and Reputation Management

• Support the Senior Communications Manager in the development and implementation of external communications plans that strengthen OMI's reputation, brand positioning and market authority.

• Contribute to the development and execution of OMI's external communications narrative, ensuring consistent message pull-through across media, executive platforms, sponsorships, business initiatives and priority stakeholder engagements.

• Monitor and identify emerging reputational risks and opportunities across the insurance landscape, including climate risk, resilience, insurance fraud, AI, customer experience, innovation and broader socio-economic issues, and provide recommendations to the Senior Communications Manager.

• Provide communications support and input to internal stakeholders to help ensure external communication is proactive, aligned, credible and reputation-enhancing.

Media Relations, Public Relations and Agenda Setting

• Support the Senior Communications Manager in building and maintaining relationships with key media, editors, journalists, trade publications and industry platforms.

• Assist in identifying proactive media opportunities and industry conversations that OMI can participate in or influence.

• Research, develop and pitch media stories, opinion pieces, spokesperson commentary and expert-led narratives aligned to OMI's business priorities.

• Monitor media coverage, sentiment, message alignment, share of voice and emerging issues to support communications planning, reporting and decision-making.

Executive Positioning and Thought Leadership

• Support the development and execution of thought leadership and executive visibility plans for the CEO, EXCO members and subject matter experts.

• Coordinate and support leadership visibility initiatives through LinkedIn content, media commentary, interviews, speeches, panel opportunities, speaking platforms and industry engagements.

• Assist in developing and maintaining a pipeline of thought leadership content and themes aligned to OMI's areas of expertise, including risk, resilience, climate, AI, fraud prevention, customer outcomes, innovation and responsible business.

• Ensure executive content is aligned to approved messaging, audience requirements and broader communications objectives.

Integrated Content, Brand Positioning and Stakeholder Storytelling

• Write, edit and coordinate external communications content in line with organisational style guidelines, brand positioning and communication governance requirements.

• Support the development of communication narratives and content for key business initiatives such as Project Ignite/TIA, COTY, bursary programmes, sponsorships, retail projects, partnerships, new products and customer education initiatives.

• Adapt and distribute content across appropriate channels, including media, LinkedIn, websites, trade publications, stakeholder updates, presentations and other external platforms.

• Track and evaluate content performance using relevant engagement, sentiment, reach and message pull-through metrics.

Issues, Crisis Communications and Communication Governance

• Support the Senior Communications Manager during crisis situations, control disclosures, reputation issues, important company developments, business projects and major announcements.

• Assist in the development and maintenance of media responses, holding statements, Q&As, stakeholder messages and escalation materials as required.

• Coordinate Legal and Compliance review processes for media pieces and external communication materials, ensuring accurate record keeping and adherence to governance requirements.

• Contribute to crisis preparedness activities through monitoring, research, issue tracking and supporting communication response planning.

Broker, B2B and Business Partner Communications

• Support the delivery of coordinated, relevant and stakeholder-focused broker and B2B communications to strengthen engagement and reduce communication fatigue.

• Work with business stakeholders to translate retail, commercial, agri, claims, Elite and other business priorities into effective external communication opportunities.

• Assist in ensuring customer, broker and partner communications support business objectives, stakeholder confidence and brand reputation.

Agency, Project and Campaign Management

• Support the management of agency partners by providing briefs, coordinating deliverables, tracking performance and ensuring alignment to communications objectives.

• Work within established project plans to deliver communications activities on time and according to agreed priorities.

• Coordinate collaboration between OMI, Group Communications, agencies and internal stakeholders, ensuring appropriate governance, timelines and communication workflows are followed.

• Support budget administration, invoice processing and communications value tracking.

Data, Analytics, AI and Future Communications Capability

• Utilise media intelligence, social listening, reputation analytics and audience insights to support communications planning, reporting and optimisation.

• Leverage approved AI-enabled tools and technologies to improve content development, reporting efficiency and communication effectiveness.

• Support the measurement and reporting of communications outcomes, including sentiment, message pull-through, executive visibility, stakeholder engagement and reputation indicators.

• Maintain awareness of relevant technology, external regulation, industry trends and communications best practice through ongoing professional development and learning.

Personal Capability Building, Values and Collaboration

• Develop own capabilities through formal and informal training, coaching, professional accreditation and engagement with emerging communications trends.

• Demonstrate and support RADICAL leadership by living the organisation's values and fostering collaborative working relationships.

• Act as a trusted communications partner by providing proactive support, sound judgement, high-quality execution and professional stakeholder engagement.

The Recruitment Process:

• TA Interview: This will be a discussion with our Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist to give you an understanding of our business, our culture & values and more context on the role. It will also allow us the opportunity to get to know you more and ensure OMI can meet your career aspirations.
• Panel Interview: This will be with 2 members of the Senior Leadership of the Hiring Team and 1 member of the HC Leadership Team.
• Technical & Psychometric Assessments: These will depend on the role and will sometimes happen concurrently with Vetting through an external service provider & Internal Verification.
• Final Feedback.

All About OMI:

https://www.oldmutual.co.za/about/old-mutual-insure/

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/old-mutual-insure_i-work-at-old-mutual-insure-of-course-activity-7161674472469524483-w0j6-utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Please note that, unfortunately, we cannot accept any applications after the closing date

Skills

Competencies

Business InsightCommunicates EffectivelyDecision QualityEnsures AccountabilityOrganizational SavvyPlans and Aligns

Education

Bachelor of Commerce (BCom): Marketing Communication (Required), NQF Level 7 - Degree, Advance Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate or equivalent

Closing Date

04 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!