Category Media Lead

Unilever is currently hiring for a Category Media Lead

Reports to: Southern Africa Media Lead

Scope: Southern Africa

Location: Durban

Terms & Conditions: Full-Time, open to SA citizens only

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world. 

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

JOB PURPOSE

This role assumes ultimately, responsibility for the development and execution of the Media strategies within the specified category overall and will report into the SA Media Manager. 

To this end, the over-arching output of the role relates to delivering maximum Return on Media Investment (ROMI) through consistent and impactful as the trusted subject matter expert and strategic business partner for the category.  

Delivering the required impact for the category and for the business will incorporate: 

• Effective and efficient Media planning and investment,  

• Breakthrough innovation and, 

• Functional excellence with a strong balance between digital media and traditional Media expertise and competency sets. 

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

Channel Planning:

• Facilitate the conversion of communication channel strategy into media strategy and implementation plans. 

• Deliver, achieve functional excellence and implement functional processes. 

Channel Management:

• Deliver engaging and compelling brand experiences 

• Continuously share best practices with brand teams 

• Develop innovation on projects within the business group. 

Tracking & Reporting:

• Consolidate and synchronise all business group-related reporting 

• Ensure that all reporting adds value to the business 

• Ensure reporting accuracy, on time and in full delivery (OTIF) 

Agency Management:

• Improve performance, partnership, alignment & efficiencies 

• Ensure that media and channel agencies deliver on key KPIs. 

• Ensure media agencies are regularly audited 

• Drive down media costs by controlling inflation against spend 

• Manage media agency fees and incentivise performance 

Innovation & Partnerships:

• Assist in Integrated business planning 

• Assist in driving convergence between digital marketing & e-commerce environment 

• Assist in landing a social-first strategy 

Effectiveness & Efficiency:

• Negotiate and generate consistent media savings / avoided cost 

• Secure best media agency resource plan & the most efficient remuneration 

• Leverage cash flow through extended payment plans 

• Assist in driving ROMI within our media planning & buying 

• Monitor and analyse competitor activity 

• Provide compelling media insights 

Strategic Thinking:

• Pioneer intelligent use of mobile, social, search, gaming & video 

• Develop a paid, owned earned ecosystem 

• Harness the power of data to connect with consumers 

• Deliver media information dashboards 

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO SUCCEED

Experiences & Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in media strategy  

• Relevant experience in planning, media buying or marketing communications  

• Degree in Marketing / Media or Equivalent. 

• Understands advertising and media environment in a South Africa market context (challenges & opportunities), having worked in organisations with such a focus  

• Presents with intermediate-to-high level technical knowledge of media constructs that inform media investment and/or measurement decisions (media types, media planning tools, Media data, etc.) with a specific focus on digital media 

• Demonstrable complex project management experience (multiple stakeholders / high value / multiple categories / varying duration) 

• Must show initiative/tracking/reporting/management, driving and leadership. 

Skills

Online and technology skills:

• Digital knowledge is critical. Be able to demonstrate interest and sound knowledge in subject matter. 

• Advanced Microsoft Excel 

• PowerPoint: With the incorporation of graphs and tables  

• Email and instant messaging; Popular Social media platforms 

• Ability to work with data and translate it into meaningful insights that can further drive relevant category from a media perspective 

​Communication and presentation skills: 

• Expert level English 

• Mid-to-high level ability and demonstrable experience in designing and constructing written or multi-media (ppt) presentations  

• Expert ability and demonstrable experience in verbally presenting complex information, arguments and proposals to peer and senior - level stakeholders to ensure desired outcomes. This includes report - writing and proposal - writing. 

• Generally confident and assertive to establish and maintain required 'trusted advisor' status 

• Able to effectively employ Persuasiveness / Firmness / Formality and other as and when required in both spoken and written communication.  

Leadership

• You are energized by delivering fantastic results. You are an example to others – both your results and your resilience. You are constantly on the lookout for better ways to do things, engaging and collaborating with others along the way.

• As an individual you are the one responsible for your own wellbeing and delivering high standards of work. You must also focus on the Consumer and what they need. You are humble and have your head up, looking around to interpret evidence and data smartly, spot issues and opportunities to make things better.

• Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviors

  • PASSION FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE: Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results. Has an owner’s mindset, using data and insight to make decisions.

  • PERSONAL MASTERY: Sets high standards for themselves. Actively builds own wellbeing and resilience.

  • CONSUMER LOVE: Whatever their role, always looks for better ways to serve consumers. Invests time inside and outside to understand the needs of consumers.

  • PURPOSE & SERVICE: Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside Unilever.

  • AGILITY: Explores the world around them, continually learning and developing their skills.

Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicates from all walks of life! This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. 

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.