Activations / Events Marketing Manager (Execution-Focused), Sandton

Role Overview

We are looking for a highly organised and hands-on Activations / Evets Marketing Manager to plan and execute on-the-ground brand activations that drive awareness and qualified lead generation across our health, gap cover, and pet insurance products.

This is a delivery-focused role responsible for building and executing a consistent activations calendar. You will manage logistics, coordinate internal volunteer teams, and ensure strong on-site performance.

Importantly, this role is accountable not just for execution, but for continuously improving activations as a performance-driven marketing channel, increasing leads generated and optimising the overall process. It is important to understand which events and activities generate the best results, to ensure focus accordingly.

This role is also accountable to maintain existing brand properties to ensure the brand is represented to the desired standards at all times, replacing any brand collateral or adding to enhance the existing set up as needed.

You will report into the Head of Marketing and work closely with sales and distribution teams to ensure activations contribute to pipeline building.

Why This Role Matters

This role transforms activations into a structured, measurable growth channel — combining strong on-the-ground execution with continuous optimisation to drive both brand awareness and customer acquisition.

Key Responsibilities

1. Activations Calendar & Opportunity Sourcing

• • Build and manage a rolling calendar of activations aligned to key audiences (e.g. families, professionals, pet owners)
  • Identify and secure relevant opportunities, including (but not limited to) – as the key drive is to get our brand out in the market:
    • Community and lifestyle events
    • Corporate wellness days
    • • Pet-related events (shows, vet networks, retail partnerships, parks etc)
      • Mall and retail activations
    • Ensure consistent presence at our existing “owned” locations
      • Organise on-going activity at our vets, parks, and specific events, as well as proactively source new events and locations to build brand awareness within
      • The role is based in Johannesburg and is primarily focused on this region, however there may be requirements into the Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal on an ad hoc basis – more likely these would be co-ordinated remotely from Johannesburg than in person
    • Execute within a specified monthly budget
    • This requires relationship building with external stakeholders

2. End-to-End Event Execution

• • • Own execution of all activations from planning through to on-site delivery
    • Coordinate venues, suppliers, branding, compliance materials, and equipment
    • Set up, manage, and troubleshoot activations on-site
    • Ensure a professional, engaging, and consistent brand experience
    • Ensure existing, ongoing, brand collateral and presence is continuously audited and maintained

3. Lead Generation & On-Site Performance

• • • Implement effective lead generation tactics suited to our products
    • Where relevant drive sign ups to owned assets like newsletters
    • Ensure teams are equipped to drive engagement and capture high-quality leads
    • Monitor performance during activations and adapt in real time where needed
    • Work with sales/CRM teams to ensure seamless lead handover
    • Ensure any staff or volunteers are correctly equipped to maximise the exposure available at the event
    • Ensure any payment due to staff or volunteers for their participation at an event is completed accurately and timeously

4. Volunteer & Internal Team Management

• • • Source and coordinate internal staff to support activations
    • Build strong cross-functional relationships to secure ongoing volunteer participation
    • Train and brief teams on product basics, messaging, and expectations
    • Manage teams on-site, ensuring accountability, professionalism, and performance

5. Performance Management & Optimisation

• • • Ensure feedback from the sales teams is passed back to the marketing team in order to understand efficacy and improve future events; this needs to be tracked so the marketing team has a view of this activity end-to-end
    • Build benchmarks over time to understand performance by event type
    • Continuously test and improve:
      • Event types and locations
      • Messaging and offers
      • Lead capture methods
      • Team performance and engagement tactics
    • Identify and scale high-performing activations, while refining or discontinuing underperforming ones
    • Ensure we focus on both:
      • Performance-led activations (ROI and lead generation focused)
      • Brand awareness activations (measured through reach, engagement, and strategic value)
    • Document learnings and build repeatable playbooks for future activations

6. Compliance & Brand Integrity

• • • Ensure all activations comply with insurance regulations and internal policies
    • Maintain accurate, approved messaging across all customer interactions
    • Uphold high standards of professionalism and trust in live environments

7. Stakeholder Coordination & Reporting

• • • Work closely with marketing, sales, and product teams to align messaging and priorities
    • Ensure all leads are properly captured and handed over
    • Provide regular reporting on performance, insights, and recommendations
    • Keep stakeholders informed on upcoming activations and outcomes