Communication & Storytelling Lead - Midrand

Dis-Chem Pharmacies has an opportunity available for a Head of Ecosytem Marketing for their Head Office. The Communication & Storytelling Lead is responsible for defining and embedding communication frameworks that ensure clear, consistent, and on-brand messaging across internal and external channels. The role leads employee and external communication, aligning messaging to business priorities, strengthening engagement, and protecting Dis-Chem’s reputation within an integrated healthcare retail environment.

Minimum Requirements…
Essential:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
• 5+ years’ experience in internal communications, external communications, or corporate communications roles.
• 2–3 years’ experience in a leadership or people management
• Experience in a retail or large, multi-site organisation is advantageous
• Demonstrated track record of improving communication consistency, engagement, and reach

Responsibilities

Strategy and planning

• Develop and manage communications plans and calendars aligned to business priorities and key moments
• Adapt and apply brand-defined messaging frameworks to internal and external communication channels
• Coordinate channel execution to ensure timely, consistent delivery across internal and external platforms

Internal and external communication

• Deliver clear, engaging internal communications to stores, head office, and warehouse employees to support execution and alignment.
• Own coordination and execution of external communications (including PR, media engagement, and stakeholder messaging) in alignment with brand-defined frameworks
• Work in conjunction with Creative Studio and Integrated Marketing teams to develop, edit, and distribute content across key channels including intranet, email, presentations, notices, and digital platforms
• Manage and maintain core communication channels, ensuring content quality, relevance, and consistency
• Lead and coordinate crisis communications, including preparation of holding statements, response frameworks, and stakeholder messaging during high-risk or sensitive situations

Leadership and collaboration

• Partner with Marketing, Retail Operations, People and Culture, OD, and Commercial teams to align messaging and execution.
• Coordinate stakeholder inputs, agency support, and approvals to ensure accuracy and consistency
• Provide guidance to teams on effective communication practices and channel use

Governance and risk

• Ensure communications comply with brand guidelines, regulatory requirements, and reputational standards
• Manage approvals, escalation processes, and messaging for sensitive, high-risk, and crisis communications
• Monitor feedback, engagement, and emerging risks to improve clarity, effectiveness, and protect reputation

Competencies
Essential: 

Keycompetencies

• Experience in internal and external communications with multi-channel content development
• Strong writing and editing capability, translating complex information into clear, frontline-ready communication.
• Experience in crisis communications and reputation management
• Understanding of communication needs in retail or consumer-facing environments
• Strong stakeholder management and coordination skills across multiple teams
• High attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

Key Performance Indicators

• Communicationeffectiveness: Engagement and reach across priority channels
• Brand consistency: Adherence to on-brand messaging and reduced rework
• Operational enablement: Timely, clear communications supporting store and business execution
• Governance & risk: Adherence to approvals and reduced reputational or compliance incidents
• Reputation & crisis management: Effective handling of high-risk situations with minimal reputational impact.

Special Conditions of Employment

South African citizen

MIE, clear criminal and credit

Driver’s license and/or own reliable transport 

Remuneration and benefits:

Market related salary

Medical aid

Provident fund

Staff account 

ONLY SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED. IF YOU HAVEN`T BEEN CONTACTED WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION AS UNSUCCESSFUL. 

Dis-Chem Pharmacies is an equal opportunity employer. Dis-Chem’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process aligned to Dis-Chem’s Employment Equity & Transformation Strategy. Dis-Chem actively supports the recruitment of People with Disabilities