PATIENCE NOMONDE SUSSMANN
HEAD OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
JOHANNESBURG,GP
Summary
With over 20 years of experience in marketing strategy, corporate communications, and stakeholder engagement, I am a seasoned leader who consistently drives strategic initiatives and delivers sustainable impact across industries such as defence, petrochemicals, and healthcare. My expertise in global leadership and governance allows me to effectively align strategies with business objectives, resulting in enhanced performance. I spearheaded successful digitisation efforts at the South African Medical Association. In addition to my professional achievements, I actively contribute as a speaker and writer on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and serve on various boards. Currently pursuing a PhD focused on ethical AI in marketing, I bring a forward-thinking approach to responsible corporate citizenship.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
2009
2009
years of post-secondary education
Work History
HOD - Corporate Affairs
SA Medical Association
06.2022 - 12.2024
- Developed and implemented comprehensive corporate affairs, marketing, and communications strategies
- Coordinated international conferences and exhibitions, enhancing global presence
- Led digitisation efforts, improving engagement and outreach by utilising the latest AI tools
- Managed stakeholder engagement and media relations, fostering positive organisational perception
- Achievements: Increased overall membership numbers by 17%. Increased junior doctor membership category by 43%.
Managing Director - Africa
Novi Global Recruitment Ltd
01.2021 - 12.2022
- Set-up of Regional offices for franchisees- South Africa, Central Africa, West Africa & East Africa
- Management and mentoring of Research Associates in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Executive global search for C-Level candidates in global blue-chip companies
- Board member search and placement of non-executive directors
- Client contract management and succession planning
- Leadership assessment and development
- Achievements: Established board and executive recruitment division
Head of Marketing Communications
Selpal
09.2021 - 06.2022
- Created and executed marketing and communications strategies for a fintech platform.
- Developed digital marketing campaigns with informal industry including R&R channel, enhancing brand visibility and reputation.
- Built media relationships and managed public relations, achieving consistent media coverage.
- Applied knowledge of business context to ensure credible and effective communication.
- Achievements: Launched a new R&R channel.
Head of Marketing and Communications
Armscor SOC Ltd
08.2016 - 12.2020
- Formulated and implemented marketing strategies for defence technology innovation, enhancing brand recognition and loyalty
- Managed media, parliamentary, and stakeholder engagement ensuring integrated communication messaging
- Directed communication strategies across media platforms, ensuring impactful messaging
- Supported leadership communication working closely with Department of Defence, enhancing internal and external visibility
- Achievements: Increased revenue generated during the COVID-19
Head of Marketing
Averda
01.2016 - 07.2016
- Developing and delivering marketing and communication strategies for the organization
- Overseeing the implementation of the marketing strategy - traditional and digital
- Undertake continuous analysis of competitive environment and customer trends
- Business development with sales teams to grow into other industry sectors and defending current markets
- Relaunch Wasteman into Averda throughout all the elements of the organization
- Achievements: Project Averda - Launch of Averda in South Africa
Regional Brand Manager - Europe & Africa
BP plc
09.2009 - 10.2015
- Execution of strategies of Castrol GTX & BP Visco brands for Europe & Africa
- Managed brand strategies across Europe and Africa (including Palestine & Israel)
- Executed marketing communication plans ensuring unified messaging across geographies
- Enhanced brand recognition and loyalty
- Secured market entry position with the Nigerian, Ugandan and Kenyan markets
- Launched innovative Oil-in-Action programme that delivered additional revenue whilst also fighting counterfeit products in Africa and Turkey
- Achievements: Launched new & modified GTX products in Italy, Germany, Turkey, Greece, Spain, Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine generating $4,1m incremental GM
Group Brand Manager
Kansai Plascon
09.2006 - 08.2009
- Managed brand development of the ff brands - Velvaglo, Nuroof, Woodcare, Specialist range of paints, Super Universal Enamel, Surecoat, Paramount, Crown, Buffalo paint & colourants, waterproofing, MasterDecorators)
- Developed and implemented a 2010 strategy for sourcing infrastructure business for Plascon
- Developed a Black Diamond plan and activated seeding paint into the townships commencing with those in the Gauteng region
- Communication & PR campaigns around brands, CSI and Enterprise Development
- Developed and implemented a PR plan for the business for all flagship brands such as Double Velvet, Cashmere, Suede, Wall & All, Micatex, Nuroof and Velvaglo and included in this are added value services such as Living Concept store, Colour system and Decorex
- Achievements: Achieved 13.4% uplift of sales of paint brands
Global Marketing Manager
Brand South Africa
07.2004 - 08.2006
- Communication campaigns for Brand SA in the US, UK, Eurozone and the Far East countries
- Developed a marketing and business plan for global market for Brand SA
- This included correctly defining the universe of South Africa's target audience
- Enhanced South Africa's brand image through strategic media engagement
- Economic and political understanding of the country and its competitors - India, China, Czech Republic, Poland, Russia and Brazil
- Achievements: Launched first in Europe 3D advertising for Brand SA during the lead up including the World Cup 2006 programme
Brand Manager
Frito-Lay (Simba)
04.2001 - 06.2004
- Formulate, direct and coordinate marketing activities for Simba & Lays brands
- Identify, develop or evaluate marketing strategy for Simba, Niknaks and Lays
- Relaunched Ghost Pops into the market
- New product launches for Simba Great Tastes of SA in celebration of 10 years of democracy
- Drove great promotional campaigns such as Tazos that relied on pester power marketing
- Reshaped the emerging market strategy through the development work of the following brands - Busters 40g snacks, Simba Cheese Puffs and Simba Shapes licensing through Disney for Barbie & Spiderman
- Develop pricing strategies, balancing firm objectives and customer satisfaction
- Achievements: Arrested the lack of profitability (improved ROI) of Niknaks balers (22g bags) which contribute to almost half (in kg terms) to the 2nd biggest snack brand in SA
Brands PR Manager
Anheuser- Busch InBev
01.1997 - 03.2001
- Brand Health Management, ATL campaigns, Packaging and Product Management, Media & PR Management, Project Management, Budget Management (+/- R25m)
- Market Research, Sales Management, Use of research tools - Nielsen, BMI, Consumer behavior
- Achievements: Supported the launch of Dooleys & Solantis realising 16% growth in AFB market
Area Sales Supervisor
Unilever
01.1994 - 12.1996
- Wholesaling
- Key Account Management
- Building small customers
- Supervision of Field Merchandisers & Marketers
- Promotion Implementation
- Sales Reporting
- Management of +/- 300 lines of tea, margarine, soups, sauces, cheese and oil
- Achievements: Expanded the wholesale market realising 21% growth
Financial Aid Counsellor
University of KwaZulu-Natal
01.1990 - 12.1993
- Financial Aid Counselling
- Bursary, Loans and Scholarship Administration
- Liaising with financial aid companies -overseas donor agencies, banks for loans and local bursary communities
- Assisted with financial aid sourcing in the Bridging programme for disadvantaged students
- Achievements: Sourced international funding for overseas scholarships for students
Education
Master of Commerce - Marketing
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal 01.2019 - 12.2021
Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management - Business Management
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal12-2003
Bachelor of Arts Honours - Psychology
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal 01.1989 - 12.1989
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology & Sociology
University of Zululand
Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal 01.1988 - 12.1988
Ph.D. - Marketing
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal 04.2024 - Current
Skills
Marketing Strategy
Affiliations
- Institute of Directors of SA (IoDSA), Member
- Golden Key scholar
Board Membership
- Board Member (Executive), Botshabelo Children's Home, 01/01/06, 12/31/09
- Board Member (Non-executive), GBM Network (Secunda), 01/01/07, 12/31/08
- Board member (Executive), Rose Foundation - Oil Recycling Not For Profit Organisation, 01/01/09, 12/31/11
- Board Member (Non-executive), Nowases Africa, 01/01/22, 12/31/23
- Board Committee member (Mentorship), Inanda Seminary Alumnae Board Committee, 01/01/21, present
- Board member, Inanda Seminary Alumnae Board Committee, 01/01/22, present
- Co-chair, Carifika Board Committee, 01/01/25, present
Professional Activity
CONFERENCE PRESENTATION:
Fourth Industrial Revolution – ECSA Engineering Day 2019
References
References available on request
Timeline
Ph.D. - Marketing
University of KwaZulu-Natal
04.2024 - Current
HOD - Corporate Affairs
SA Medical Association
06.2022 - 12.2024
Head of Marketing Communications
Selpal
09.2021 - 06.2022
Managing Director - Africa
Novi Global Recruitment Ltd
01.2021 - 12.2022
Master of Commerce - Marketing
University of KwaZulu-Natal
01.2019 - 12.2021
Head of Marketing and Communications
Armscor SOC Ltd
08.2016 - 12.2020
Head of Marketing
Averda
01.2016 - 07.2016
Regional Brand Manager - Europe & Africa
BP plc
09.2009 - 10.2015
Group Brand Manager
Kansai Plascon
09.2006 - 08.2009
Global Marketing Manager
Brand South Africa
07.2004 - 08.2006
Brand Manager
Frito-Lay (Simba)
04.2001 - 06.2004
Brands PR Manager
Anheuser- Busch InBev
01.1997 - 03.2001
Area Sales Supervisor
Unilever
01.1994 - 12.1996
Financial Aid Counsellor
University of KwaZulu-Natal
01.1990 - 12.1993
Bachelor of Arts Honours - Psychology
University of KwaZulu-Natal
01.1989 - 12.1989
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology & Sociology
University of Zululand
01.1988 - 12.1988
Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management - Business Management
University of KwaZulu-Natal
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