VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

DIRECTOR – COMMERCIAL

The Zambia Daily Mail Limited is a Company wholly owned by the Industrial Development Corporation. The Company is incorporated under the Companies Act, No. 10 of 2017. It is the leading publisher of daily newspapers in Zambia.

The Company has a vacancy for the position of Director Commercial and is now inviting suitably qualified Zambians to apply and be considered for the position. This is a Senior Management position reporting to the Managing Director.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

To plan and develop strategies that ensure the effective implementation of the Department’s day-to-day commercial functions and business development initiatives, thereby promoting the Company’s business growth and profitability. The position holder will also ensure the daily and timely printing and market availability of the Company’s newspapers, as well as the effective implementation of all marketing, advertising, commercial printing, courier, passenger bus, and related business development activities offered by Zambia Daily Mail Limited.

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES/DUTIES

To achieve the purpose of the job, the holder will:

• Ensure that Zambia Daily Mail Limited’s products and services are produced and delivered on time, consistently meeting the required quality standards and customer expectations;
• Formulate and implement approved sales and marketing, courier, and advertising plans and strategies aimed at retaining existing clientele, attracting new customers, enhancing profitability, and expanding the market for Zambia Daily Mail Limited’s products and services;
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities and build a strong network of prospective clients and business contacts through consultative engagements with marketing agents, industry associations, including the Zambia Institute of Marketing, and other relevant stakeholders;
• Plan, coordinate, and administer the Company’s newspaper and commercial printing, marketing, advertising, courier, passenger bus, and distribution activities, and develop appropriate marketing strategies informed by the Company’s policies, costs, market trends, customer needs, and competitive factors;
• Ensure the accuracy, quality, and timely production of advertising materials in accordance with specified market, client, and customer requirements;
• Direct the development and execution of advertising sales plans and campaigns, and collaborate with Heads of Department and other relevant officials to promote and expand the sale of advertising services across various industries;
• Maintain effective communication and engagement with existing and prospective customers on advertising rates, policies, products, and services, while actively soliciting new business opportunities;
• Direct and oversee market research activities involving the collection, analysis, and compilation of relevant information and statistics to support the planning, development, and execution of advertising and marketing initiatives;
• Analyse sales and market performance statistics and utilise the findings to inform commercial policies, strengthen sales strategies, and support dealers and other distribution channels in promoting the Company’s products and services;
• Control and monitor expenditure within the Commercial Department to ensure compliance with approved budgets and the Company’s financial management requirements;
• Formulate and implement approved community-based corporate social responsibility programmes, including donations, in accordance with established policies, guidelines, and selection criteria;
• Execute the responsibilities of a Company Director in accordance with applicable laws, corporate governance principles, and the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct;
• Drive the growth and protection of Zambia Daily Mail Limited’s brand integrity through continuous enhancement of the quality, relevance, and value of its products and services;
• Agree, monitor, and periodically review the performance of subordinate staff to ensure that they work towards achieving agreed performance objectives, targets, and departmental goals; and
• Perform any other related duties as may be assigned by the Managing Director from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• A good Grade 12 certificate with at least 5 credits including mathematics;
• A minimum of either a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Accountancy or Economics;
• A Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), Marketing, Strategic Management, or a related discipline will be an added advantage;
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in demanding roles at management level, with a strong record of achieving strategic and operational goals;
• Good ICT skills;

COMPETENCIES AND ATTRIBUTES

• Proven experience in leading and managing multidisciplinary teams, including courier, marketing, advertising, and production staff.
• Strong commercial acumen and proven ability to identify, develop, and pursue new business opportunities, markets, products, and revenue streams.
• Proven ability to develop and implement effective sales, marketing, advertising, and business development strategies aimed at retaining existing clientele, attracting new customers, growing market share, and enhancing profitability.
• Sound financial and budget management skills, with the ability to monitor expenditure, control costs, analyse commercial performance, and contribute to the achievement of the Company’s financial objectives.
• Proven ability to work effectively under tight deadlines while maintaining high standards of quality, innovation, and service delivery.
• Strong attention to detail, time management, organisational skills, and the ability to guide the business towards the achievement of its goals and objectives.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to analyse sales, market, customer, and other relevant information to support sound commercial decisions.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, negotiation, and relationship-management skills, with the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with clients, business partners, industry stakeholders, and other key stakeholders.
• Good understanding of market trends, customer needs, competitive dynamics, and the changing commercial and media environment.
• Ability to promote innovation and adapt commercial strategies in response to changing market conditions and emerging business opportunities.
• Demonstrable understanding of corporate governance, professional ethics, accountability, and the responsibilities of a Company Director.
• A self-starter with the ability to work independently and require minimal supervision, while demonstrating sound judgement, initiative, and accountability.

• Ensure that Zambia Daily Mail Limited’s products and services are produced and delivered on time, consistently meeting the required quality standards and customer expectations;
• Formulate and implement approved sales and marketing, courier, and advertising plans and strategies aimed at retaining existing clientele, attracting new customers, enhancing profitability, and expanding the market for Zambia Daily Mail Limited’s products and services;
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities and build a strong network of prospective clients and business contacts through consultative engagements with marketing agents, industry associations, including the Zambia Institute of Marketing, and other relevant stakeholders;
• Plan, coordinate, and administer the Company’s newspaper and commercial printing, marketing, advertising, courier, passenger bus, and distribution activities, and develop appropriate marketing strategies informed by the Company’s policies, costs, market trends, customer needs, and competitive factors;
• Ensure the accuracy, quality, and timely production of advertising materials in accordance with specified market, client, and customer requirements;
• Direct the development and execution of advertising sales plans and campaigns, and collaborate with Heads of Department and other relevant officials to promote and expand the sale of advertising services across various industries;
• Maintain effective communication and engagement with existing and prospective customers on advertising rates, policies, products, and services, while actively soliciting new business opportunities;
• Direct and oversee market research activities involving the collection, analysis, and compilation of relevant information and statistics to support the planning, development, and execution of advertising and marketing initiatives;
• Analyse sales and market performance statistics and utilise the findings to inform commercial policies, strengthen sales strategies, and support dealers and other distribution channels in promoting the Company’s products and services;
• Control and monitor expenditure within the Commercial Department to ensure compliance with approved budgets and the Company’s financial management requirements;
• Formulate and implement approved community-based corporate social responsibility programmes, including donations, in accordance with established policies, guidelines, and selection criteria;
• Execute the responsibilities of a Company Director in accordance with applicable laws, corporate governance principles, and the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct;
• Drive the growth and protection of Zambia Daily Mail Limited’s brand integrity through continuous enhancement of the quality, relevance, and value of its products and services;
• Agree, monitor, and periodically review the performance of subordinate staff to ensure that they work towards achieving agreed performance objectives, targets, and departmental goals; and
• Perform any other related duties as may be assigned by the Managing Director from time to time.

• Proven experience in leading and managing multidisciplinary teams, including courier, marketing, advertising, and production staff.
• Strong commercial acumen and proven ability to identify, develop, and pursue new business opportunities, markets, products, and revenue streams.
• Proven ability to develop and implement effective sales, marketing, advertising, and business development strategies aimed at retaining existing clientele, attracting new customers, growing market share, and enhancing profitability.
• Sound financial and budget management skills, with the ability to monitor expenditure, control costs, analyse commercial performance, and contribute to the achievement of the Company’s financial objectives.
• Proven ability to work effectively under tight deadlines while maintaining high standards of quality, innovation, and service delivery.
• Strong attention to detail, time management, organisational skills, and the ability to guide the business towards the achievement of its goals and objectives.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to analyse sales, market, customer, and other relevant information to support sound commercial decisions.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, negotiation, and relationship-management skills, with the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with clients, business partners, industry stakeholders, and other key stakeholders.
• Good understanding of market trends, customer needs, competitive dynamics, and the changing commercial and media environment.
• Ability to promote innovation and adapt commercial strategies in response to changing market conditions and emerging business opportunities.
• Demonstrable understanding of corporate governance, professional ethics, accountability, and the responsibilities of a Company Director.
• A self-starter with the ability to work independently and require minimal supervision, while demonstrating sound judgement, initiative, and accountability.

• A good Grade 12 certificate with at least 5 credits including mathematics;
• A minimum of either a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Accountancy or Economics;
• A Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), Marketing, Strategic Management, or a related discipline will be an added advantage;
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in demanding roles at management level, with a strong record of achieving strategic and operational goals;
• Good ICT skills;