Associate, Digital

About this role

The Opportunity

Brunswick South Africa is seeking an Associate to join our growing Digital practice in Johannesburg.

This is an opportunity for an experienced digital communications professional who combines strategic thinking with strong execution. You will advise some of the world’s leading organisations on corporate communications, executive positioning, reputation management, financial communications and issues management across digital channels.

The successful candidate will be equally comfortable presenting to a CEO, developing a social media strategy, analysing audience insights and working alongside creatives, consultants and media specialists to deliver integrated communications programmes.

The Person We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who is intellectually curious, commercially minded and genuinely interested in the intersection of business, politics and society. You thrive in a fast-paced advisory environment, remain calm under pressure and bring sound judgement to complex situations. You enjoy collaborating with colleagues across disciplines and are generous in sharing ideas and expertise. Comfortable working with ambiguity, you are highly organised, able to manage multiple priorities and maintain exceptional attention to detail while never losing sight of the bigger picture. You are confident enough to challenge conventional thinking with well-reasoned perspectives and have a growth mindset, continuously seeking opportunities to learn, improve and stay ahead of developments in digital communications, technology and AI.

What You’ll Do

As an Associate, you’ll play a leading role in developing and delivering digital strategies for Brunswick clients.

Your responsibilities will include:

Strategic Advisory

• Develop digital and social media strategies aligned to corporate and business objectives.

• Advise clients on executive positioning, thought leadership and corporate reputation.

• Apply digital thinking across mergers and acquisitions, financial communications, ESG, crises and corporate campaigns.

• Help clients navigate digital risks and emerging issues.

Client Leadership

• Lead day-to-day digital relationships with clients.

• Present recommendations confidently to senior executives.

• Identify opportunities to expand digital support across existing accounts.

• Work closely with Partners and Directors to shape client strategy.

Campaign Development

• Develop integrated digital campaigns from strategy through implementation.

• Translate business objectives into audience-led communications programmes.

• Commission and interpret audience research and social listening.

• Collaborate with Creative, Design, Paid Media and Data teams.

Content & Editorial

• Develop executive digital strategies and thought leadership programmes.

• Write and edit high-quality corporate content.

• Ensure messaging is appropriate for different audiences and platforms.

• Maintain exceptional editorial standards across all work.

Analytics & Insight

• Use social listening and analytics to identify trends, risks and opportunities.

• Translate data into strategic recommendations.

• Develop meaningful measurement frameworks focused on business outcomes rather than vanity metrics.

• Produce clear and insightful reporting for clients.

Innovation & AI

• Apply AI tools responsibly to improve research, content development and workflow efficiency.

• Stay abreast of platform developments, digital trends and emerging technologies.

• Help identify opportunities to evolve Brunswick’s digital offering.

Team Contribution

• Mentor junior colleagues.

• Contribute to business development and new business proposals.

• Share knowledge across the global Digital practice.

• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who is intellectually curious, commercially minded and passionate about the role digital communications plays in building and protecting reputation.

The ideal candidate will have:

Experience

• Around 5–8 years’ experience in digital communications, corporate communications, consulting or agency environments.

• Experience advising clients rather than solely delivering campaigns.

• Experience working with senior stakeholders.

• Exposure to listed companies, financial communications or corporate reputation work would be advantageous.

Core Competencies

Strategic Thinking

• Connect digital activity to business and reputation objectives.

• Understand stakeholder communications beyond consumer marketing.

• Think critically and solve complex problems.

Client Advisory

• Build trusted client relationships.

• Communicate confidently with senior executives.

• Influence through insight and sound judgement.

Writing & Communication

• Exceptional writing and editing skills.

• Ability to distil complex issues into clear, compelling communications.

• Strong presentation and storytelling skills.

Digital Expertise

Strong understanding of:

• LinkedIn and executive communications

• Corporate social media

• Social listening and audience insights

• Paid and organic social strategy

• Reputation management

• Content strategy

• Digital measurement and analytics

Experience with platforms such as Sprinklr, Meltwater, Brandwatch, Talkwalker or similar would be advantageous.

Commercial Mindset

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Deliver work to a consistently high standard.

• Identify opportunities to grow client relationships.

• Understand the commercial realities of consulting.

AI & Innovation

We’re particularly interested in candidates who demonstrate practical use of AI to improve strategic thinking, research, content development and client delivery.

What Success Looks Like

In your first year, you will establish yourself as a trusted digital adviser across multiple client accounts, leading digital workstreams with confidence and delivering strategic counsel that is grounded in insight,…