Content Lead

Discovery – Marketing

Content Lead

About Discovery

Discovery’s core purpose is to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. We seek out and invest in exceptional individuals who understand and support our core purpose, and whose own values align with those of Discovery. Our fast-paced and dynamic environment enables smart, self-driven people to be their best. As global thought leaders, Discovery is passionate about innovating in order to not only achieve financial success, but to ignite positive and meaningful change within our society.

About Discovery Marketing

In Marketing, defying gravity is part of our everyday work because we’re a team of people who love to push the boundaries, to achieve the impossible, and to accept all sorts of never-done-before challenges. Discovery Marketing is a vibrant area who are dedicated to the collective core purpose, values and ambition. We work on numerous projects across distribution channels and across all Discovery products and strive for excellence in all that we do.

About the role

We are looking for a Content Lead to own the content strategy and delivery for Discovery Bank portfolio. This role brings together senior writing, editorial judgement, strategic content planning and operational oversight to produce clear, high-quality content across platforms, audiences and formats.

Key purpose of the role

The purpose of the Content Lead role for Discovery Bank portfolio is to enable and support marketing and PR strategies through content that builds awareness and understanding of the Bank as a new category of banking in the South African market.

Key responsibilities

The Content Lead reports to the Head of Content for Discovery. This role combines senior writing abilities, strategic planning and operational oversight, with approximately 60% focused on content writing and development and 40% on strategy and planning. The role is responsible for developing educational, branded, and thought leadership content as well as content for media. It also involves translating business and communication objectives into clear content approaches, frameworks and execution plans, and delivering measurable content outcomes.

• Writing and developing excellent content across various formats and for different audiences, including developing content in support of PR and earned media strategies
• Developing content strategies for Discovery Bank based on business objectives, audience needs and platform requirements
• Translating business and communication briefs into clear content approaches, narrative frameworks and execution plans
• Identifying opportunities for thought leadership and narrative development, and pitching content opportunities and proposals to internal stakeholders
• Partnering with the PR and communications team to ensure content amplifies media relations and reputation objectives
• Planning and managing daily content operations, priorities and delivery schedules
• Project managing larger content initiatives that involve multiple stakeholders, channels or external contributors
• Managing and guiding freelance writers and content contributors
• Briefing and working with external partners, including designers, agencies and PR specialists, to support campaign, media and leadership content requirements
• Ensuring consistency of tone, voice and quality across all outputs
• Supporting executive and leadership content initiatives, including briefing materials, speeches, opinion pieces and senior stakeholder narratives

Leadership and collaboration

• Creating an environment that encourages creativity and continuous improvement
• Mentoring and developing junior content and writing talent
• Acting as a content champion and editorial standard-bearer across the organisation
• Supporting skills development and knowledge sharing
• Staying up to date with content, media and digital trends
• Building strong working relationships across marketing, editorial, communications, project teams and internal stakeholders.
• Contributing to team cohesion and delivery excellence
• Demonstrating professionalism, inclusivity and respect

Required competencies

• Strong writing and editorial skills across brand, PR, thought leadership and media content
• Understanding of PR and communications principles, including media relations, message framing and reputation management
• Ability to develop content approaches for different audiences and platforms
• Ability to translate complex ideas into engaging content
• Ability to turn marketing briefs into clear content strategies, narrative routes and execution recommendations
• Strong project management and organisational skills
• High attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure
• Proven credibility advising senior executives and leadership teams
• Ability to work constructively with senior stakeholders, internal teams, freelancers and external partners
• Experience using generative AI tools to enhance productivity, analysis, content creation, problem solving and/or decision-making.

Education and experience

• Relevant tertiary qualification (marketing, communication, journalism, writing or related field)
• Extensive professional writing and content development experience
• 8 to 12 years’ senior experience in content, communications or agency and PR environments, with a strong record of producing work for brand, media and stakeholder channels
• Proven track record developing and owning content strategies from brief through to execution at a senior level
• Experience working across digital platforms
• Experience developing content strategies or content approaches for business units, stakeholders or brands
• Experience in, or ability to quickly get up to speed on, regulated or financial services environments is advantageous

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY

The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.