For Employers
A personally screened shortlist for your PR, Marketing or Communications role. Never a stack of forwarded CVs.
Book a briefing callSpecialist. Personal. Proven.
PR, Marketing & Communications Recruiter
I help South African businesses and selected international clients hire exceptional PR, Communications, Marketing and Advertising talent, personally screened by me. I am not an agency. I am one person with over thirty years of experience.
Joanne BarrettFounder & CEO
Placements500+
Experience30+ years
Hear me in conversation
Prefer to listen? Here I am talking about hiring, careers and the world of PR, Marketing and Communications.
For Candidates
Honest advice and a genuine advocate in the room with the right employers. I represent people, not keywords.
Submit your CVThe difference
Not an agency, one person
One person, over thirty years, personal screening. Here is what that means for your next hire.
One person, start to finish
I am not an agency. I am one recruiter with over thirty years of relationships. You deal with me at every step.
Learn moreEvery shortlist personally screened
Every shortlisted candidate interviewed by me, and every company vetted before I work with it. No AI, no juniors, no volume filler.
Learn morePeople who stay
A bad senior hire costs a year of momentum and a six figure salary. I place people who last.
Learn moreDiscreet & direct
Confidential searches and replacement hires, handled quietly and personally. You never reach a call centre.
Learn moreCurrently open
Roles I'm placing right now
FRACTIONAL CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (CFO)
THE OPPORTUNITY An established strategic communications consultancy is seeking an experienced, commercially astute Fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to provide strategic financial leadership and help drive sustainable profitability and financial growth. This is an opportunity for a senior finance professional who understands the commercial realities of the PR, communications, advertising or broader professional services industry […]
View rolePR Senior Account Manager
The Opportunity An established, founder-led PR agency is looking for an experienced Senior Account Manager to join its team in a fully remote role. This is a small, agile agency environment where priorities can move quickly, teams are lean, and people are trusted and expected to take real ownership of their work. This is not […]
View rolePrincipal Consultant, Strategic Communications (Hybrid)
The Principle Consultant is a senior strategic leader responsible for driving client excellence, growing the business, and ensuring the seamless delivery of integrated strategic communications across clients and projects.
View role
In their words
Trusted by the brands that know the difference
“Joanne understood exactly what we needed and delivered candidates of a calibre we simply hadn't seen elsewhere.”
MMagna CartaPublic Relations
“Professional, personal and remarkably quick. The placement fit our culture perfectly and has stayed the course.”
WWerksmansAttorneys
“The quality of shortlist was outstanding. Joanne only sent people who were genuinely right for the role.”
AASTERP Solutions
“The calibre of candidates presented has been consistently high, and the success rate of placements staying long-term speaks volumes about her screening process.”
CClientèle
“Jo doesn't recruit in the traditional sense. She listens, reads between the lines, and places individuals who don't just meet the brief, they grow into it.”
CCorporate Image
“Joanne is a powerhouse in her profession. She brings a rare combination of agility, unwavering dedication and a deep understanding of people.”
NNorman Goodfellows
“If you're looking for a recruiter who really knows the communications space and who you can trust to deliver, I'd highly recommend Joanne.”
AAccenture Song
“Working with Joanne is always an absolute pleasure. She is quick to respond, pro-active and always available to assist.”
SStratitude PR
“Joanne's knowledge of the communications industry, her personal approach and her honesty are powerful attributes anyone should consider when looking for the perfect placement consultant.”
MMSL Group
“Joanne has impeccable professionalism in the way she works and deals with people. I would highly recommend her to anyone.”
DDeloitte
“Her professionalism has landed me two great positions over the past few years.”
TTribeca Public Relations
South African expertise, international reach
Recruitment without borders
With over 30 years of specialist recruitment experience, I connect exceptional PR, communications, marketing and advertising talent with organisations across South Africa and selected international markets.
My career includes successful placements in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Mauritius and Nigeria, as well as working with international employers recruiting South Africa-based professionals.
South Africa remains my primary recruitment market, but I continue to welcome suitable international assignments.
For South African Businesses
Specialist recruitment for PR, communications, marketing and advertising agencies, consultancies and in-house teams.
From experienced Account Managers and senior communications professionals to executive leadership, specialist and fractional appointments, I focus on understanding the people, businesses and experience behind every brief.
- Specialist industry knowledge and established relationships.
- Permanent, contract, interim and fractional recruitment.
- Johannesburg, Cape Town and other South African locations, depending on client requirements.
- Personally managed recruitment, from initial brief to placement.
For International Businesses
Looking to recruit experienced South African talent?
I work with international organisations seeking specialist PR, communications, marketing and advertising professionals, whether for South Africa-based appointments or selected international opportunities.
My international placement experience includes the UAE, Mauritius and Nigeria, alongside recruitment for overseas employers hiring professionals based in South Africa.
- Access to experienced South African professionals.
- Selected international and relocation assignments.
- Remote and hybrid appointments where supported by the employer.
- Personal recruitment support and market insight.
Why one recruiter
The benefits of one dedicated recruiter
I take on a small number of briefs so each one gets my full attention. This is the opposite of a high volume agency desk.
- Personal screeningI interview every shortlisted candidate myself.
- Senior specialist focusPR, communications, marketing & advertising.
- Confidential processDiscreet from the first call.
- Honest feedbackDirect, always.
- Quality over volumePaced to the role, seniority and market.
- Placements that lastPeople who stay.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Everything hiring managers and candidates ask me most. Still not sure? Call me on +27 82 469 6455 and you will always get me, never a call centre.
How do I hire a PR or Communications Director in South Africa?
Tell me about the role and I will build you a shortlist of senior candidates I have personally screened. I recruit Communications Directors, Heads of PR and senior marketers for businesses across South Africa and internationally, so you interview only people who genuinely fit.
What does a specialist PR, Marketing and Communications recruiter do?
I find, screen and place senior communications talent so you do not have to. Unlike a general recruitment agency, I specialise in PR, Communications, Marketing and Advertising, which means I know the market, the salaries and the people in it.
How much does PR and Marketing recruitment cost in South Africa?
I work on a placement fee basis, so you only pay when you make a successful hire. There is never a cost to candidates. Contact me and I will be completely transparent about my fees and terms upfront.
How long does it take to fill a senior communications role?
It depends on the role, seniority, market and availability of suitable candidates. Every assignment is personally managed, with the focus on a considered, well-matched shortlist rather than speed alone.
Can you recruit PR and Communications talent for international companies?
Yes. My recruitment career includes successful placements in the United Arab Emirates, Mauritius and Nigeria, and I have worked with international employers recruiting South Africa-based talent, including a US company. South Africa remains my primary market, but I welcome selected international assignments where my specialist expertise and network are relevant.
Do you recruit remote, hybrid and contract marketing roles?
Yes. Depending on client requirements, I recruit for permanent, fixed-term contract, interim, consulting and fractional appointments. Remote and hybrid opportunities are considered according to individual client requirements and candidate eligibility.
How do you find senior marketing talent in Johannesburg and Cape Town?
Over thirty years in the industry means I already know many of the best PR, Marketing and Communications people in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and beyond, including strong candidates who are not actively looking.
Why use a specialist recruiter instead of a big recruitment agency?
You deal with me directly, never a junior or a call centre. Every shortlisted candidate is interviewed by me. No AI, no volume filler, just a shortlist of people who are right for the role and likely to stay.