Managing Partner

As Managing Partner within Public Relations & Influence (PR&I), you are a senior leader responsible for setting the strategic vision, commercial growth, operational excellence, and creative standard across our Consumer and Corporate PR, Social Media, Influencer and Brand Reputation practices.

Based in Cape Town or Johannesburg while providing national executive leadership and operational oversight teams in both locations, you will serve as a trusted management committee advisor to global and local clients. In addition to driving business unit growth, operational strength, and multi-market integration, you will champion a critical layer across PR&I: Brand Reputation & Crisis Management.

In today's landscape, brand reputation is fought and won across real-time channels. In this role, you will lead high-stakes reputation strategy and crisis response—recognising that modern brand vulnerability predominantly emerges through social media, influencer dynamics, community management, and integrated communications across our clients' portfolios.

Working closely with the Managing Director and management committee, you will integrate strategy, creativity, commercial acumen, and operational rigor to elevate our offering, inspire cross-location teams, and drive business expansion across South Africa.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Practice Integration

• Vision & Strategy: Partner with the leadership team to lead the long-term growth strategy for our integrated PR, social media, Influencer, and Brand Reputation offerings across PR&I in both Cape Town and Johannesburg offices.
• Integrated Communications: Lead the convergence of earned media, owned social, influencer strategy, and corporate narrative to deliver world-class, integrated communications programs.
• Brand Reputation & Crisis Layer: Serve as the senior authority on crisis management, risk mitigation, and corporate reputation across the business unit. Provide high-level crisis strategy and rapid-response counsel to clients during high-stakes reputation issues.
• C-Suite Advisory: Act as a top-tier counselor to clients, providing authoritative insights on cultural, social, political and industry developments.

Business Development & Commercial Management

• Growth Ownership: Drive top-line growth and bottom-line profitability for P&I unit. Oversee financial planning, resource allocation, and agency margin management.
• New Business Leadership: Spearhead organic business development, leading high-value pitches for consumer and corporate PR, social media, crisis management, and influence.
• Thought Leadership & Market Presence: Position PR&I as an industry leader by actively driving our brand presence in the market, writing thought leadership and speaking at key industry events.

Multi-Location Team Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Cross-Market Oversight: Build, mentor, and empower high-performing, cross-functional teams in Cape Town and Johannesburg, fostering a collaborative, unified agency culture across locations.
• Operational Efficiency: Establish robust operational processes, workflow efficiencies, quality assurance standards, and reporting systems to ensure seamless day to day execution.
• Talent Development: Identify, recruit, and nurture top-tier talent across PR&I. Drive mentoring programs and performance management to elevate team capabilities.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

Must Have Experience

• Leadership: Minimum 5+ years in a senior management role (e.g., Business Unit Director or equivalent leadership role) within an integrated PR, social, or communications agency environment.
• Domain Expertise: 12+ years of extensive experience spanning Consumer and Corporate PR, Social Media Strategy, Influencer Marketing, and Crisis & Brand Reputation Management.
• Crisis & Reputation Proven Track Record: Proven background in navigating complex corporate crisis communications, issue response, and long-term brand reputation management.
• Multi-Market Leadership: Demonstrated capability in overseeing and scaling teams across multiple physical locations (e.g., Cape Town and Johannesburg).
• Pitch & Revenue Growth: Proven success in leading and winning major pitches and driving sustainable organic account expansion.
• Financial Acumen: Strong expertise in agency financial management and operational planning.

Key Attributes

• Strategic & Creative Vision: Ability to conceptualise bold, integrated strategies that earn attention and protect brand trust.
• High EQ & Crisis Calmness: Exceptional emotional intelligence, resilience, and poise under extreme pressure and crisis scenarios.
• Inspirational Leader: A collaborative, empathetic leader who fosters talent, builds unity across offices, and drives an ambitious culture of excellence.

About Our Team Culture

• We are problem solvers. We don't just spot issues; we formulate smart, creative, and strategic solutions.
• We are active participants. We take ownership, lead from the front, and drive initiatives with ambition.
• We live in "divine discontent." We are constantly hungry to elevate our creative output, agency capabilities, and client results.
• We are adaptable and integrated. We operate seamlessly across channels, borders, and disciplines.
• We prioritise team over ego. We leverage the collective talent around us, recognizing that success is a shared journey.
• We balance IQ with high EQ. We connect deeply with people, clients, and audiences to build meaningful relationships.

What We Offer

• Permanent position
• Senior leadership role with market influence within PR&I.
• Prestigious portfolio of global and local brands.
• Competitive remuneration package and benefits.
• Continuous development, global network collaboration, and career progression.
• Modern hybrid working model (4:1).