Media Relations Manager at Sahara Group

Location: Ikoyi, Lagos

Purpose Statement

• Develop, implement and periodically review the Group’s media and external communication strategy across specific and generic news platforms, media influencers, events and collaborations to drive positive liaisons for brand positioning as well as mitigate against reputational risks.

Key Deliverables:

• Lead the development of media relations strategy, plan and budget developed in line with the Group’s strategic and operating plans to ensure robust coverage and media driven positive reputational capital
• Work closely with units, departments and affiliates of the Group to extract and project internal narratives/identity to various external media to enhance reputational capital
• Galvanize positive and appropriate media relations to build local and international brand equity through continuous engagement and editorial pitching.
• Develop and implement the approved crisis management framework of the Group in terms of media management and optimization to sustain positive PR capital
• Manage the scheduling, designing and implementation of all external media communications interviews and appearance across all media platforms for profiling and brand positioning
• Determine and profile sundry media stakeholder groups for various partnerships/support initiatives, including conferences, special publications, to foster increased brand awareness, gate-keeping and equity
• Conduct daily/periodic media scan/monitoring and analysis across various news and PR channels to gauge performance and farm out PR opportunities across the Group
• Maintain a database of media contacts through efficient management and periodic parleys across the Group to sustain positive reputational capital and editorial gate-keeping
• Lead and/or contribute to organizational learning sessions on interactions with the media and the role of staff in ensuring zero tolerance to leaks and unauthorized liaisons with the media
• Track and measure ROI on media coverage and mentions of major campaigns along the lines of strategic business imperatives and objectives
• Coordinate periodic media training for select staff across various functions that are customer and public facing to promote uniformity of messaging and effective external relations Knowledge/Skills:
• Good grasp of traditional, digital and social media trends and their impacts across specific and generic markets
• Good understanding of how the media works across local, regional and global markets
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (English and French)
• Robust contact repository for leading and influential media practitioners (traditional and online)
• Exceptional creative flair for extracting story lines and narratives from abstract, lifestyle and industry based subject matters.
• Excellent organizational, time and project management skills
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• An understanding of the latest trends and their role in a commercial environment
• Teamwork skills because most projects require input from individuals with different roles
• Self-development skills to keep-up-to-date with fast-changing trends Professional approach to time, costs and deadlines

Minimum Qualification/ Experience

• Minimum of a relevant University Degree
• Minimum of seven (7) years experience in a similar role within a Fast Moving Consumer Goods company, E-commerce company, Financial services company, Oil & Gas, Telecoms or top flight creative agency
• Working knowledge of written and spoken French as role will require ability to translate and transmit various media materials in French.
• Adept with all forms of social media and platforms, including: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
• MS Office Suite.
• Mac and Windows environments
• Adept with all forms of social media and platforms, including: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
• MS Office Suite.
• Mac and Windows environments

Personality Traits:

• Creative
• Ability to out-think briefs for problem solving
• Attention to details
• Ability to transform abstracts to reality using design
• Work under pressure with minimal supervision
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and visually

Working Relationships:

• Head, Corporate Communications
• Company MDs & Departmental Heads
• HR, Strategy & Business Intelligence Departments
• Business Development
• Corporate Communications in subsidiaries/affiliates
• Directorate
• Vendors/agencies.