Head of Communications and Public Affairs, Sub-Saharan Africa
Job Description
- Sub-Saharan African language proficiency
- Experience with Public Policy
- 10+ years communications experience
- International experience
- Sub-Saharan Africa experience
- Social media campaign development
- Team management
- Excellent written/verbal communication
Minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
- 10 years of experience in communications within a business, social media, traditional media, non-profit, or similar environment.
- Experience working in an international environment.
- Experience working in a paced environment.
- Experience in developing and implementing social media campaigns in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience in managing a team.
- Ability to speak and write a Sub-Saharan African language (e.g. Swahili, Hausa, Zulu) in order to effectively communicate in this customer-facing role.
About the job
As a Communications Manager, you will be responsible for handling communications around our consumer products, business platforms, our various proactive programs, and the competitive landscape in which we operate. You will work with business, Marketing, Public Policy, Product and other teams and will partner with media outlets and influencers, showing how we help others to grow and succeed. You will be responsible for managing social and traditional media interest in who we are and what we do. You will manage a team of communicators and, together, shape and tell the story of Google in Sub-Saharan Africa.
You will create communications materials and campaigns based on understanding of social media creators and journalists' interests; develop digital assets, print, broadcast and web-based material supporting these campaigns; and counter misinformation that might interfere with our business and ability to serve our users. We're looking for great communicators who can understand issues and explain them in person and via well written, simple blog posts, FAQs, video scripts, and more.
It's our job to help inform and educate users, advertisers, partners, opinion leaders--and our own employees--about the benefits of Google's products, our distinctive company culture/values, and our approach to the big public policy issues of the day. To succeed here, you'll combine creativity with organizational skills to manage multiple projects with tight deadlines simultaneously, as well as enjoy pitching to journalists, bloggers and commentators, or producing internal communications and events for our employees. Things happen quickly at Google and to get stuff done here you need to be an enthusiastic team player who can work cross-functionally and isn't hesitant to take risks or try new things.
Responsibilities
- Develop, productive relationships with social influencers, journalists, partners, and influencers in tech, business, and mainstream press in Sub-Saharan Africa. Think creatively, take smart risks, and address issues.
- Develop written materials including story pitches, messaging guidelines, press releases, question and answer, presentations, and speeches. Build strategies and content for external communications channels.
- Collaborate with Product, Business, Marketing, and other teams across Google to create compelling communication strategies that show the usefulness and benefits of our products, platforms and programs.
- Represent Google as a company spokesperson for a social and traditional media inquiries. Assist with all communications activities in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Train and provide guidance to company officials for press activities. Help manage external agencies to support day-to-day inquiries, special projects, and events Manage a team.
