Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa Hiring External Communications & PR Specialist – Apply Before 3 March 2026

Deadline: 3 March 2026

Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) is recruiting a highly experienced External Communications and Public Relations Specialist to join its Public Affairs, Communication & Sustainability (PACS) team in Midrand, Gauteng.

This opportunity sits within Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) — the largest Coca-Cola bottler in Africa and the eighth largest globally by revenue — offering professionals the chance to influence corporate reputation at continental scale.

About Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA)

CCBA is a major player in Africa’s FMCG and beverage sector:

• Accounts for 40%+ of Coca-Cola ready-to-drink beverage volume in Africa
• Employs 14,000+ people
• Serves over 800,000 customers
• Operates in 14 African countries

The organization is focused on strengthening its reputation as a trusted, responsible industry leader.

Role Overview: External Communications & PR Specialist

This role is responsible for driving:

• Strategic media engagement
• Corporate storytelling
• Reputation management
• Crisis communication readiness
• External stakeholder alignment

The successful candidate will play a central role in protecting and enhancing CCBSA’s public image across all external platforms.

Key Responsibilities

1️⃣ Strategic Communication & PR Execution

• Develop and implement an annual PR plan aligned with PACS strategy
• Draft press releases, media advisories, opinion pieces, and Q&A documents
• Lead proactive media outreach and thought leadership positioning

2️⃣ Media & Reputation Management

• Serve as a primary media contact
• Manage media inquiries accurately and promptly
• Oversee media monitoring and reporting
• Prepare speeches and briefing notes for spokespersons

3️⃣ Campaigns & Events

• Support high-impact PR campaigns (sustainability, corporate, community initiatives)
• Coordinate event messaging and sponsorship communications
• Ensure alignment with marketing messaging

4️⃣ Crisis Communication Support

• Assist in crisis response planning
• Manage external messaging during sensitive situations
• Ensure factual, consistent information dissemination

5️⃣ Digital & Content Communication

• Create content for corporate website and LinkedIn
• Highlight sustainability milestones and corporate achievements
• Align internal and external messaging

6️⃣ Measurement & Reporting

• Track media reach, sentiment, and campaign performance
• Identify reputational risks and opportunities
• Provide insights to the Country Lead: Communications

Qualifications & Experience

🎓 Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, PR, Journalism, Marketing, or related field (required)
• Postgraduate qualification in Strategic Communication, Corporate Affairs, or Business (advantageous)

💼 Experience

• 5–8 years in corporate communications, PR, or corporate affairs
• Strong media relations track record
• Crisis communication experience
• FMCG or beverage industry exposure (advantageous)

Required Skills

• Advanced business and speechwriting ability
• Media release drafting expertise
• Media monitoring and analytics proficiency
• Digital communication best practices
• Project and campaign management
• Microsoft Office and CMS proficiency
• Knowledge of The Coca-Cola Company brand guidelines (advantageous)

Location & Contract Details

• Location: Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa
• Employment Type: Permanent
• Closing Date: 3 March 2026
• Applications must be submitted via the official e-recruitment portal

Management reserves the right to apply additional shortlisting criteria beyond the minimum requirements listed.