Senior Director: Communication and Marketing (5years)
Job Overview
- Position: Senior Director: Communication and Marketing (Post Level 4)
- Job ID: 6524
- Department: Communication and Marketing, Advancement
- Institution: University of the Free State (UFS)
- Campus: Bloemfontein Campus, Bloemfontein, Free State
- Employment Type: Contract
- Contract Duration: Five years, with the possibility of reappointment for a further term
- Occupational Level: Senior Management
- Closing Date: 14 July 2026
- Start Date: As soon as possible or on a mutually agreed date
Job Description
The Senior Director: Communication and Marketing provides strategic leadership and operational management of the University’s communication and marketing portfolio. The role is responsible for strengthening the University’s brand, reputation, stakeholder engagement, media relations, digital communication, crisis communication, and institutional visibility while ensuring alignment with UFS Vision 130 and strategic priorities.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Communication Leadership
- Develop and implement integrated communication strategies aligned with institutional goals.
- Lead communication, reputation management and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
- Manage internal and external communications.
- Oversee digital communication and media relations.
- Ensure consistent institutional messaging across all communication platforms.
- Manage and maintain the University’s official website to ensure accurate and current information.
2. Strategic Marketing Leadership
- Develop and implement integrated marketing and branding strategies.
- Lead institutional branding across all campuses and entities.
- Oversee marketing and advertising activities.
- Coordinate branding and marketing for institutional events.
3. Reputation Management and Media Relations
- Lead proactive and reactive media engagement.
- Build and maintain relationships with media stakeholders.
- Monitor institutional reputation and stakeholder sentiment.
- Implement strategies to protect and enhance the University’s reputation.
- Advise executive leadership on communication and reputation-related matters.
4. Stakeholder Engagement and Institutional Visibility
- Enhance the University’s national and international profile.
- Coordinate communication initiatives supporting:
- Student recruitment
- Fundraising
- Alumni engagement
- Research visibility
- Institutional partnerships
- Support executive leadership in communicating institutional priorities and achievements.
5. Crisis Communication and Issues Management
- Coordinate communication during institutional incidents and crises.
- Develop and maintain crisis communication plans and protocols.
- Provide strategic communication advice to executive leadership during high-risk situations.
6. Leadership and Operational Management
- Lead and manage the Communication and Marketing Department.
- Oversee:
- Performance management
- Workforce planning
- Succession planning
- Staff development
- Manage departmental budgets and financial resources.
- Oversee procurement activities.
- Ensure compliance with governance, risk management and University policies.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must have:
- Master’s degree (NQF Level 9) in:
- Communication
- Marketing
- Public Relations
- Journalism
- Corporate Communication
- Strategic Communication
- or a related field
- Minimum of 8 years’ relevant experience in:
- Communication
- Marketing
- Media relations
- Stakeholder engagement
- Corporate affairs
- Minimum of 5 years’ management experience
- Proven experience developing and implementing strategic communication and marketing initiatives.
- Experience in:
- Reputation management
- Crisis communication
- Managing multidisciplinary teams
- Budget management
- Resource allocation
- Stakeholder engagement and relationship management
Recommended Qualifications and Experience
Preference will be given to candidates with:
- PhD in a relevant field
- Higher education sector experience
- Executive management programme qualification
- Experience in:
- Digital communication
- Social media
- Content management
- Membership of a recognised communication or marketing professional body
- Experience working within a complex organisational environment
Required Competencies
Successful candidates should demonstrate:
- Strategic and innovative thinking
- Strong leadership abilities
- Excellent people management skills
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
- Strong presentation skills
- Relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills
- Media relations expertise
- Experience as a media spokesperson
- Financial management capability
- Risk management skills
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
- Ability to work effectively under pressure
- High ethical standards, professionalism and integrity
Salary and Benefits
Salary
- Available on request
- Commensurate with the responsibilities of the position
Benefits
Subject to applicable conditions:
- Pension scheme
- Medical aid
- Group life insurance
- Housing allowance
- Annual leave
- Sick leave
- Service bonus
- Study benefits
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit:
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Copies of qualifications or official proof of qualifications
- SAQA evaluation (for foreign qualifications)
- South African ID or passport (foreign nationals)
- Proof of current or previous employment (one of the following):
- Employment confirmation letter
- Appointment contract
- Service certificate
- Recent payslip (external applicants)
- Important: Incomplete applications will not be considered.