Lerato Kau

Global communications and marketing leader with 10+ years’ experience driving visibility, reputational strength, and strategic growth across education, health, public sector, NGO, and corporate environments in South Africa and the UK. I specialise in translating complex institutional and public impact work into clear, compelling narratives that strengthen visibility, stakeholder engagement, and funding readiness. My experience spans early childhood development, education systems, and public health programmes, giving me a grounded understanding of structural challenges and lived realities shaping these sectors.

This enables me to communicate with nuance and credibility while building communications strategies that strengthen visibility, support engagement, and contribute to long-term impact. Known for building communications functions from the ground up, strengthening leadership visibility, and developing brand positioning. Proven expertise in brand and reputational management, executive communications, media relations, digital strategy, PR, and multi-channel campaign delivery.

Digital Content and Marketing Manager - Equal Education UK - United Kingdom

(2025-03)

I lead the strategic communications and marketing direction, develop integrated brand, content, and digital strategies that support organisational growth, stakeholder engagement, and sector positioning across the educational sector.

• Developed and implemented integrated communications and marketing strategy aligned to organisational growth, audience engagement, and policy positioning objectives.
• Specialised in neurodivergency-led brand and reputational management across national education debates, including digital inclusion, SEND reform, and alternative provision.
• Shaped organisational messaging frameworks and content pillars to strengthen consistency, clarity, and strategic positioning across all communications channels.
• Positioned the organisation more visibly within education and policy conversations through strategic storytelling, thought leadership, and media engagement.
• Developed audience-led storytelling approaches centred on inclusion, accessibility, lived experience, and education equity.
• Led editorial planning and integrated content strategy across website, newsletters, social media, campaigns, and stakeholder communications channels.
• Developed and managed integrated content calendars across digital, stakeholder, and campaign communications to ensure consistent messaging, strategic alignment, and timely audience engagement.
• Produced long-form editorial content, policy-facing narratives, case studies, and executive communications translating frontline delivery into strategic insight.
• Directed social media strategy and content development to strengthen audience engagement, increase visibility, and support organisational growth objectives.
• Used audience insights and performance analytics to refine digital content strategy and improve campaign effectiveness.
• Managed website content strategy, optimisation, and messaging alignment to improve digital engagement and brand consistency.
• Established executive communications function including CEO messaging, leadership positioning, and stakeholder-facing communications.
• Built internal communications systems and workflows that improved organisational alignment and reduced reactive communications.
• Led media outreach and strengthened relationships with journalists and sector stakeholders to support visibility and reputational positioning.
• Drove media and PR engagement strategies that shaped external narratives and strengthened organisational positioning within national policy discussions.
• Coordinated cross-functional delivery across design, digital, and content production suppliers while managing communications and marketing budgets.
• Achieved a 2,300% increase in cross-platform engagement through the development and execution of integrated content strategy, audience-led storytelling, and targeted digital campaigns.
• Increased LinkedIn engagement by 85% through thought leadership content, executive positioning, and strategic stakeholder engagement.
• Grew Instagram following by 80% through audience-focused content strategy and optimised multi-channel storytelling.
• Established and scaled organisational thought leadership presence, producing policy-facing narratives and strategic content that strengthened visibility across education and sector debates.
• Led the migration and consolidation of digital advertising assets, templates, and content resources into Equal Education UK systems, improving consistency, governance, and campaign efficiency across platforms.

Communications Analyst - Innovation Edge - South Africa

(2023-06 - 2025)

Led strategic communications and multi-platform content development for an impact-first investor focused on early childhood development and EdTech innovation.

• Positioned the organisation as a leading voice within the early childhood development and EdTech investment ecosystem through strategic communications and thought leadership.
• Developed integrated communications strategies that strengthened visibility across funders, partners, policymakers, and ecosystem stakeholders.
• Produced ecosystem storytelling, portfolio narratives, and strategic messaging aligned to funding priorities and investment positioning.
• Contributed to ecosystem-building initiatives that strengthened collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and sector visibility.
• Partnered with investment teams to develop investment cases, funder-facing materials, and stakeholder communications supporting investment readiness.
• Supported early-stage social innovators and investment recipients through strategic communications guidance designed to strengthen visibility and investor confidence.
• Worked closely with portfolio organisations to refine brand positioning, messaging, and impact narratives for external stakeholders and potential funders.
• Developed strategic communications approaches that positioned early-stage solutions more credibly within funding, innovation, and policy conversations.
• Translated complex social impact work into clear, accessible narratives that strengthened stakeholder engagement and funding communication.
• Led digital engagement campaigns including webinars, newsletters, and multi-platform content targeting funders and ecosystem stakeholders.
• Supported executive and investment leadership communications across presentations, panels, webinars, and stakeholder engagements.
• Managed website content strategy, messaging refresh, and digital content governance to strengthen organisational consistency and audience engagement.
• Strengthened funder engagement through structured, insight-led communications and audience-focused content development.
• Managed external suppliers and coordinated production budgets for communications campaigns and content delivery.
• Designed and developed strategic pitch decks, investment presentations, and stakeholder-facing communications materials to support fundraising, partnership engagement, and investment readiness initiatives.

Communications Officer - NACOSA - South Africa

(2022 - 2022)

Delivered strategic communications support for a regional health organisation implementing HIV, TB, and gender-based violence programmes across Southern Africa.

• Developed communications strategies supporting advocacy, programme visibility, and stakeholder engagement across regional health initiatives.
• Supported public-facing health storytelling by translating complex programme delivery into accessible and audience-focused narratives.
• Contributed to advocacy and visibility-building communications across HIV, TB, and gender-based violence programmes.
• Supported organisational messaging and internal communications initiatives aligned to broader programme objectives.
• Produced multimedia storytelling, impact narratives, and case studies across digital, media, and stakeholder platforms.
• Managed media relations, stakeholder communications, and external communications coordination across programmes and campaigns.
• Supported media briefings, interviews, and public-facing communications initiatives to strengthen programme visibility.
• Coordinated communications delivery across regional programmes, advocacy campaigns, partners, and network stakeholders.
• Conducted website content audits and supported migration planning to improve accessibility, user experience, and content structure.
• Led social media analysis and content planning to strengthen audience engagement and digital visibility.
• Coordinated multimedia production workflows including photography, videography, and impact storytelling content.
• Managed supplier coordination and supported cross-functional communications delivery across programmes and campaigns.
• Led the internal rebranding of communications tools and templates to strengthen brand consistency and establish a unified communications identity across the organisation.
• Supported the development and coordination of the NACOSA: Telling the NACOSA Story documentary project, shaping organisational storytelling and programme visibility.
• Coordinated production planning and cross-provincial logistics across six provinces for documentary and multimedia content initiatives.
• Established a centralised communications and marketing collateral library to improve content accessibility, organisational consistency, and asset management.
• Conducted a comprehensive website content audit to support digital optimisation and improved user experience.
• Supported website migration and content management restructuring aligned to accessibility standards and digital communications best practice.
• Conducted internal communications materials and business needs assessments to identify gaps and strengthen organisational communications support.
• Developed recommendations and implementation plans to align communications resources and collateral with broader organisational and programme needs.

Communications Officer (Copy Editor) - Western Cape Government – Department of Local Government - South Africa

(2019-01 - 2022-05)

Provided editorial leadership and strategic communications support across departmental campaigns, executive messaging, and public sector communications initiatives.

• Led editorial and copywriting function aligned to government strategy, communications objectives, and departmental brand standards.
• Provided executive communications support including speeches, leadership messaging, strategic forewords, and departmental communications.
• Supported strategic internal engagement initiatives and leadership communications planning across the department.
• Coordinated communications delivery across multiple internal stakeholders within a structured government environment.
• Produced content for Annual Reports, Municipal Performance Reports, executive messaging, and strategic departmental publications.
• Produced editorial content for public information materials, digital campaigns, radio scripts, and internal communications platforms.
• Supported major public communications campaigns including COVID-19 and drought response communications.
• Ensured communications outputs aligned consistently with departmental messaging, policy objectives, and brand standards.
• Developed and implemented internal communications plans, standards, and rolling communications calendars.
• Managed internal communications across newsletters, intranet, digital platforms, and employee engagement channels.
• Managed editorial review and quality assurance processes across departmental communications materials.
• Strengthened internal communications consistency through structured planning and governance processes.
• Led the creative development, editorial direction, and execution of key departmental publications, including Eagle’s View Newsletter, Masithethe Newsletter, and the Joint District and Metro Approach communications outputs.
• Directed end-to-end editorial planning and content production for departmental collateral and integrated campaigns across print, digital, and broadcast platforms.
• Provided strategic writing and editorial leadership for high-impact public communications campaigns, including drought response communications and associated public awareness initiatives.
• Developed and implemented integrated messaging frameworks for drought communications campaigns, ensuring consistency across print, radio, and stakeholder-facing materials.

Group Communications & Environmental Sustainability Officer - Oceana Group - South Africa

(2016 - 2018)

Led internal and external communications initiatives supporting executive visibility, employee engagement, media relations, and corporate reputation management across the Group.

• Supported executive communications from the Office of the CEO, ensuring aligned leadership messaging across the organisation.
• Developed and implemented internal communications strategies, policies, standards, and engagement frameworks aligned to business objectives.
• Advised business leaders on strategic communications, employee engagement, and stakeholder communications initiatives.
• Supported organisational reputation management through integrated communications and media strategies.
• Led strategic media engagement including executive profiling, press releases, media positioning, and reputation-focused communications.
• Produced quarterly communications and media reports for Board-level reporting and strategic visibility tracking.
• Coordinated large-scale campaigns including the Western Cape Water Crisis campaign, “Drop the Block” water conservation initiative, and Oceana Centenary campaign.
• Led crisis communications and behaviour-change communications initiatives across the organisation.
• Managed communications delivery across South Africa, Namibia, and Angola.
• Directed employee engagement initiatives, internal campaigns, and communications planning across multiple business units and operational sites.
• Produced integrated communications materials including newsletters, publications, executive messaging, and organisational campaigns.
• Managed website content governance and digital communications platforms.
• Managed supplier relationships, communications production processes, and campaign budgets.
• Managed communications portfolio budget of approximately R5 million.
• Drought and Western Cape Water Crisis roll-out
• Drop the Block Water Conservation initiative
• Launch of the internal employee Making Waves Newsletter and relaunch of the external Tidings Publication
• Oceana Group Centenary Coffee Table Book Launch
• Website migration of content management platform and innovative design to align to best practise and ensure more accessibility to web users

Communications & Media Intern - Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

(2015 - 2016)

Junior Multimedia News Journalist - SA Breaking News

(2014 - 2015)

Bachelor of Arts - Media & Writing and Drama - University of Cape Town