Head of Marketing,Communications & Sales

at  Sanlam

Who are we?
Sanlam Fintech is a newly established digital first business within the Sanlam Group on a mission to democratise financial advice and solutions for everyone across the African continent. We exist to pioneer inclusive financial confidence helping people build strong foundations to bridge the gap in generational wealth. Our culture is that of agility and constant deployment, we believe in learning fast, learning cheap and learning forward. Our aim is to provide a work environment where knowledge workers can accelerate the development of their ideas and bring innovation to market, at the same time provide compelling career and development proposition that will enable them to realise their dreams.
Position overview
Sanlam Rewards & Loyalty is seeking a dynamic and results-oriented leader to head our Marketing, Communications and Sales function for our exciting Coalition Rewards program. You will be responsible for crafting and executing a comprehensive strategy to drive member acquisition, engagement, and program profitability. This role demands a sharp understanding of loyalty marketing, coalition programs, and the ability to navigate various stakeholder relationships. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and possess a deep passion for building successful customer-centric programs, we encourage you to apply.
You will be expected to manage a team of marketing managers who will be responsible for their marketing portfolio within the Coalition Program.

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

Degree or Diploma with 10 plus years related experience.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong understanding of B2B and B2C marketing principles.
• Proven track record of success in driving growth and profitability in a loyalty program or similar environment.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and persuade various stakeholders.
• Data-driven mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in project management and budget planning.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.

How you will think

• You are high agency: Looking for ways to do, instead of reasons not to.
• Where some see impossible, you see a way: Turning obstacles into opportunity, chance into change.
• You love creating more with less: Knowing that the biggest impact is born of the smallest acts.
• You seek out and value different perspectives: Believing that when we change how we look at things, how things look for us also changes. Making tomorrow not just different, but better.

What you will enjoy

• Being in a high ownership, high ambiguity, high autonomy environment where the impact of your work matters. The ideal environment for your capability growth.
• Learn from the best. Get guidance from some of the most seasoned professionals around. Our mentorship vibe is all about growing together, both professionally and personally.
• Diving into projects that touch the lives of millions. Making a real difference in how people manage their money and plan their lives.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

• Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing and sales strategy: Craft a data-driven strategy for member acquisition, targeting specific demographics and industries. Design engaging campaigns across multiple channels (digital, social, events) to maximise program awareness and member growth.
• Manage sales pipeline and build partnerships: Actively identify and develop relationships with potential coalition partners, negotiating mutually beneficial agreements that expand the program’s reach and value proposition. Build strong partnerships with existing partners to drive engagement and value exchange.
• Lead program messaging and branding: Define and articulate the program’s value proposition and unique selling points, ensuring consistent messaging across all marketing and communication channels. Build a strong brand identity that resonates with target audiences and differentiates the program from competitors.
• Oversee member acquisition and onboarding: Design and implement effective acquisition campaigns, utilising both organic and paid methods. Help create a seamless onboarding experience that educates members about program benefits and encourages usage.
• Drive member engagement and loyalty: Develop and implement initiatives to increase member engagement, including targeted promotions, personalised offers, and gamification elements. Track member behaviour and analyse data to refine engagement strategies and maximise program value.
• Manage and optimise member communications: Craft compelling and personalised communications (email, push notifications, etc.) to drive member awareness, engagement, and redemption activity. Leverage data-driven insights to deliver relevant and timely messages that resonate with individual members.
• Analyse program performance and track metrics: Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as member acquisition, engagement, redemption rates, and program profitability. Analyse data to identify trends, measure campaign effectiveness, and identify areas for improvement.
• Manage marketing and sales budget: Develop and oversee the marketing and sales budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources across various channels and activities. Track ROI and demonstrate the value of marketing and sales initiatives to stakeholders.
• Lead a high-performing marketing and sales team: Build, motivate, and mentor a talented team of professionals responsible for program marketing, sales, and communication. Foster a collaborative and results-oriented culture that drives program success.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and best practices: Continuously monitor the loyalty marketing landscape, identifying emerging trends and innovative strategies. Actively participate in industry forums and events to stay ahead of the curve and implement best practices within the program.
• Team
• Manage Delivery Management activities at the Delivery and program level.
• Drive/ Lead the planning of internal activities.
• Mentor and coach junior members of the team.

WHAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE?

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Comfortable with ambiguity in a fluid organization.
• A natural skill to engage with people at a deep level whether observing or interviewing customers or working with fellow team members and clients.
• A high level of attention to detail with excellent organizational skills.
• Passionate and enthusiastic about excellence and attention to detail.
• A self-starter who identifies opportunities and potential problems — addressing them effectively and efficiently.