Public Relations Practitioner

VACANCY: PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTITIONER

**PATERSON C2**

Does a fast pace career in Public Relations excite you? Do you like building relationships? Do you like working on online campaigns that speak to the younger generation? Are you an organised, cool-tempered, yet enthusiastic professional that can juggle multiple tasks at the same time? Are you creative and a strategic communicator with a passion for making a difference? If so, the Western Cape Blood Service wants you.

Should you be successful you will join a team of driven, creative thinkers, within the Marketing and Public Relations department, making a daily difference in people’s lives. The Public Relations department comprises a very small, highly functional, multi-skilled team with a positive can-do attitude.

**Responsibilities**
- Develop and implement strategic PR campaigns, both internally and externally, to raise awareness about blood donation and its importance.
- Manage various internal CSI projects.
- Understand the complexities of online / digital marketing and implement various online campaigns for different target audiences.
- Write, edit and collate content for various publications - including newsletters, media releases, press pitches, blogs and other articles for publications (traditional and digital).
- Manage community and youth media plan, this will include tracking of media exposure, measuring ROI and conducting interviews.
- Build and maintain a network of media and other external stakeholder partnerships that can be leveraged to promote the WCBS brand and drive awareness and recruitment campaigns.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to coordinate WCBS events - including meetings, open days, recognition awards, AGM and initiatives that support our mission.
- Assist with internal and external branding, brand audit, and liaising with suppliers.
- Manage the corporate milestone gift programme as well as the annual roll-out of the corporate uniform and the monthly management thereof.
- Manage the overall process of department procurement and payments - including managing of contracts and contribute to annual budget planning.
- Manage customer complaints, suggestions and queries.

**Minimum Requirements**
- Matric Certificate
- Relevant National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations/Marketing or Communications
- At least 3-4 years working experience within a Public Relations or Marketing Role.
- Computer literate - Microsoft Office
- An unendorsed code 08 driver’s licence
- Proven track record of successfully executing both traditional and digital public relations campaigns and managing media relations.
- At least 2 years of experience within a digital marketing environment (added advantage).
- Copy-editing certificate/qualification would be advantageous
- Video editing skills for creating captivating visual content would be advantageous
- Afrikaans and/or 3rd language advantageous

**A combination of the following skills, knowledge and attributes is required**:

- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Strong organisational skills, analytical skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to a very fast-paced environment
- Deadline driven
- Self-motivated and team player

Letter should not be longer than 500 words.