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 local and international businesses hire exceptional PR, Marketing and Communications 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 candidate and company screened
Every CV read by me, every 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
Sales Manager
Drive revenue and lead a sales function for a Cape Town business with strong growth ambitions.
View roleMarketing Coordinator
Coordinate marketing activity across channels for a growing team. This is a strong step up for an organised marketer.
View rolePR Account Manager
Account management for a respected agency, leading client communications programmes end to end.
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
Local and international
Recruitment without borders
I place senior PR, Marketing and Communications talent for South African businesses and international companies. Wherever you hire, every candidate is personally screened by me.
For local businesses
PR agencies, corporate communications teams and marketing departments across South Africa, from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Durban and beyond.
- Agency and in-house roles
- Permanent, contract and fractional
- A recruiter who knows the local market
For international businesses
Global companies hiring into or out of South Africa. From fully remote roles to relocation and cross border communications teams.
- Remote, hybrid and relocation roles
- Cross border communications teams
- Access to talent you would not find alone
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 read and interview everyone myself.
- Senior specialist focusPR, marketing & comms only.
- Confidential processDiscreet from the first call.
- Honest feedbackDirect, always.
- Quick turnaroundShortlists in days.
- 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 work only in PR, Marketing and Communications, 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?
Because I take on a small number of roles at a time, I usually deliver a considered, personally screened shortlist within days rather than weeks, which shortens your time to hire.
Can you recruit PR and Communications talent for international companies?
Yes. I place PR, Marketing and Communications professionals for international businesses hiring into or out of South Africa, including fully remote roles, hybrid roles and relocation. Distance is never a barrier to finding the right person.
Do you recruit remote, hybrid and contract marketing roles?
Yes. Alongside permanent placements I regularly fill remote, hybrid, fractional and contract positions, such as fractional COO and interim communications leaders, for both local and global teams.
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 CV is read by me and every 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.