Group Manager, Marketing & Communications at ICEA Lion Group

The Group Manager, Marketing &Communications provides the vision as well as leads and drives the passion to deliver relevant and impactful connection channels between ICEA LION Group and its desired customers, so as to grow the brand’s affinity in support of business growth and sustained profitability; whilst ensuring that the customer’s delight is at the core of all engagements The job holder leads in conceptualization, formulation, management, implementation and monitoring of strategies that grow equity for the corporate and sub brands. This is delivered via Brand and Business (Products & Services) Promotion activities

Key Responsibilities

Planning, Budgeting & Financial Management

• Develop strategies, initiatives and budgets to deliver on ICEA LION Group’s regional strategic objectives.
• Govern the marketing & communications expenditure to ensure attainment of objectives as per approved budget.
• Partner with Data & Analytics, Research, Business Development as well as Customer Experience Teams to garner industry and customer insights so as to deploy approved initiatives and deliver on initiatives.

Brand Building & Reputation Management

• Lead the conceptualization, formulation, management & implementation of the marketing & communications strategy that delivers on Group & Company strategies
• Provide vision and leadership, as well as drive stakeholders to deliver relevant and impactful connection channels between ICEA LION Group & its desired target audiences.
• Develop and implement strategies to economically build affinity and desired repute for the ICEA LION brand across all customer touch points
• Lead the development and deployment of relevant, impactful and engaging online/digital/social media strategies to grow our online properties and audiences
• Lead and deploy the corporate communications/public relations/media engagement strategy and initiatives
• Deliver impactful Corporate Social Investment & Sponsorship initiatives as per strategy
• Collaborate with various businesses within the East Africa Group to identify unique brand, product and service engagement and visibility opportunities based on the internal and external customers’ needs
• Promote brand consistency internally and externally across East Africa
• Deploy events and engagements to corporate standard and customer delight
• Develop and deploy all corporate/product and service literature, presentations, concept papers, corporate publications, press releases and other public communication (in conjunction with internal stakeholders) in electronic and hard copy format
• Lead internal communications and inculcate and nurture positive & energized brand ambassadors

Stakeholder Management:

• Engage and influence Executive and Senior Leadership as well as other project teams from various businesses to deliver on Brand and Business Promotion Strategy
• Collaborate with the HR team to deliver an effective and engaging internal communications plan that promotes the culture that delivers on strategy.
• Deliver on traditional & digital advertising strategies in conjunction with external vendors / business partners
• Partner with various project teams across the region to deliver on the project marketing and communications needs.
• Lead media strategy & relations.
• Anticipate and manage crises.
• Research on and develop wide-ranging policy documents and corporate reports.
• Lead the ICEA LION culture and team spirit engagements across the region.
• Develop compelling award entry submissions to corporate standards

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in B-Com, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Digital/Online Marketing or related field (preferably in a service-oriented industry.
• Financial services industry is an added advantage
• CIM & other professional marketing & communications-related courses are an added advantage.
• Masters in Marketing or any other related field is and added advantage.

Experience

• Over 10 years’ experience in a marketing & corporate communications role, with at least 5 years in a leadership role (preferably in a service-oriented industry.
• Financial services industry is an added advantage

Competencies Required

•  leadership, strategic management, planning, budgeting, financial, resource management, project management, stakeholder management and talent management skills.
• Proven track record in conceptualizing and implementing marketing and communication strategies with establishment of clear metrics for campaign/initiative effectiveness spanning but not limited to: Above the Line, Below The Line, Digital/Online/Social Media, TV, Print, Radio, Out of Home, Events & PR channels.
• Proven experience in digital/online/social media strategy, audience management and analytics knowledge.
• Superior stakeholder and talent management skills with the ability to interface with and manage diverse people/groups at all levels, from junior team members to executive management, as well as other stakeholders including the media and other business partners
•  leadership and consensus building skills to foster teamwork; develop and motivate staff, resolve conflicts as well as ability to provide direction, guidance, momentum and vision in order to achieve organizational objectives.
•  knowledge of public relations/media relations and corporate communications best practices with the ability to anticipate risks and devise contingencies to manage them.
• Ability to identify and interpret brand, consumer and market trend analyses.
• Creative design skills with the ability to interpret and influence design and advertising work to deliver on the spirit, feel and messaging of the brand and products/services.
• Knowledge of Corporate Social Investment & Sponsorship strategy, policy development and implementation.

 Oral and written communication and presentation skills

• Advanced skills in research and development of wide-ranging corporate and policy documents and reports with the ability to: draft and co-ordinate production of corporate literature and presentations, corporate award submissions, concept papers, position papers, company publications, press releases and other public communication in electronic and hard copy format
• High level interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, including ability to build alliances and collaborative relationships with sensitivity to diversity.
• Ability to analyze and interpret financial data and apply management principles and practices in making sound business decisions.

 Analytical and fact-based decision-making skills.

• Must be a self-starter, highly organized to deal with urgent business disruptions with high

Integrity persuasion and negotiation skills

• Influential team member with the ability to promote a positive atmosphere and desired culture throughout the organization
• Exceptional organizational and problem solving skills and ability to handle multiple tasks High level of energy and ability to travel on short notice; ability to work under pressure and under challenging circumstances
• Adept at using Microsoft Office product suites as well as internet and intranet environment