Brand Manager - Assistant Manager

Role Overview:

EY has a global recruitment brand and this person would be responsible for the development and implementation of marketing, communications and related activities designed to attract top talent to EY across Africa. Liaison with global and EMEIA recruitment brand peers, this role is responsible for amplifying EY’s recruitment brand in the marketplace, igniting the power of our people through employee advocacy, immerse candidates in our brand at every step of the recruiting process and ensure an exceptional candidate experience from a marketing and communications perspective.

As an organisation, EY is embracing disruption and helping to shape the future of work for ourselves, our clients and our people. There’s a lot of exciting work to be done and we have a compelling story to tell recruits. As a new role this person can innovate, create and advance our brand among recruits while building a new foundation for how we support recruitment brand globally at EY.

We’re looking for a dynamic and creative marketing professional to help us with a wide range of initiatives, to enhance the candidate experience across all touchpoints. Primarily, we seek someone to help with the development and execution of a multi-channel campaign strategy. You’ll be a strong collaborator with a deep understanding of brand and marketing, a high level of cultural awareness and a passion for social media and all things digital.

This person will team closely with members of the Global and Regional Recruitment Brand team, as well as others in recruitment brand roles in countries around the world.  Role will report to the BMC Lead.

Role Detail

Examples of responsibilities and projects include (but are not limited to) *:

• Collaborating with members of the Global Recruitment Brand team and professionals in the regions to execute on our recruitment brand priorities
• Developing tools, resources and guides to provide our recruiting teams (both graduate hire and experienced hire) with best in class programmes, appropriate tonal language and ensure distinctive execution
• Developing strong campaign deployment plans, toolkits and KPIs
• Project managing campaign activation
• Working alongside Creative Services, GDS and where necessary third-party agency to develop and implement creative campaigns and compelling content
• Implementing innovative marketing solutions to accurately communicate our employer value proposition and inspire potential recruits with EY’s purpose
• This will require critical collaboration with functional marketing experts in advertising, web, email, social media, events, direct mail, and PR.
• Ensure all campaigns are relevant to local markets
• Provide budgetary and financial management input to Recruitment BMC programmes
• Give input from a talent perspective to firm-wide programme development and EY brand activity
• Build a network of Recruitment marketing and communications people at the Regional level; provide guidance, information and support to enable successful deployment of relevant programmes
• You will be responsible for leadership communications to partners and the broader practice on a range of topics, and contribute to firmwide messaging on strategic issues
• Support the digital first approach to content creation and communication
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge on BMC issues, trends and long-term implications for EY’s communications and brand strategy generally and its communications approach in particular
• Work closely with BMC Regions to ensure programmes are relevant and can be executed

Analytical/Decision Making Responsibilities:

• Possesses deep knowledge in social media strategy, digital and business to business marketing/communications
• Accomplishes work with little direction
• Prioritizes and tracks large, complex projects
• Understands stakeholder management
• Identifies and manages key resources needed to execute

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Excellent written and oral communication skills (including presentations) as well as listening and interpretation skills
• High levels of cultural awareness
• Can show creative flair and innovative thinking
• Demonstrated teamwork and leadership skills
• Excellent project management skills
• Experience managing creative resources, both internal and external
• Ability to write long and short copy (content) fit for purpose across different social media channels, digital and internal platforms
• Clear understanding of branding, marketing processes, strategy and social media
• Excellent attention to detail
• Able to work effectively across different cultures and time zones and build relationships quickly
• Unfazed by changing priorities and ambiguity

Behavioural Requirements

• Build a reputation among internal and external stakeholders as the expert in your area of functional discipline, and on your programmes
• Works independently within area of communications and marketing activities. Receives general direction rather than supervision. Work is reviewed for results obtained. 
• Identify and share best practice, based on an understanding of leading practices and market developments, identify gaps in EY ways of working and initiate strategies to fill them
• Solicit and value input from others into decision-making and problem-solving
• Be a positive role model for your subordinates by living the values of the firm in words and actions
• Assist with the development of a team culture, providing objective feedback on the strengths and development needs of team members
• Demonstrate the ability to read and adapt to varied cultural and interpersonal styles
• Translate and present complex ideas into simple and clear messages
• Able to manage and resolve conflicts
• Ability to work under minimal instruction
• Team player, enthusiastic, go-getter attitude, strives for excellence, energetic, confident
• Flexibility concerning working hours is required
• Able to influence senior stakeholders; develops and maintains strong working relationships with stakeholders
• Adapts to constantly changing work requirements while assimilating new information, analysing it and effectively applying it 
• Brings innovative thinking to bear on content development opportunities
• Takes initiative and is proactive in a fast-paced and highly challenging environment
• Quickly defines problems, collects input, conducts assessments, draws conclusions and problem-solves

Education:

• Suitable marketing degree/diploma

Experience:

• 5-7 years’ experience in a similar role in professional services

About the role

The role is based in Sandton, South Africa and forms part of the Africa Brand, Marketing & Communications team, which is responsible for external brand and communications, design, digital communication, events, thought leadership, alumni programme and internal communication.  The Brand, Marketing and Communication team forms part of Accounts & Business Development (ABD) in Core Business Services.  The Africa region is a single business spanning 33 countries and includes over 260 partners and 5,000 people. The Africa region is one of the largest and most diverse businesses in EY and is made up of four service lines: Assurance, Consulting, Tax and Strategy and Transaction Services.

Who we are:

At EY we support you in achieving your unique potential both personally and professionally. We give you stretching and rewarding experiences that keep you motivated, working in an atmosphere of integrity and teaming with some of the world's most successful companies. And while we encourage you to take personal responsibility for your career, we support you in your professional development in every way we can. You enjoy the flexibility to devote time to what matters to you, in your business and personal lives. At EY you can be who you are and express your point of view, energy and enthusiasm, wherever you are in the world. It's how you make a difference.

Please note: Preference will be given to PDI candidates.