Junior AP Specialist Intern - Buying Ops

Company description

Publicis Groupe Africa has opened applications for Le Cubs 2027, its flagship 12-month internship programme designed to give young South African graduates meaningful workplace experience and an opportunity to build future-ready careers in the marketing and communications industry.

Starting in March 2027, successful applicants will join teams across Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, gaining hands-on experience in disciplines including creativity, strategy, human resources, data, technology, AI, media and business support.

Le Cubs is designed to bridge the gap between tertiary education and the workplace, giving graduates the opportunity to move beyond theory, contribute to real work, learn from industry professionals and develop practical skills in a connected, collaborative environment.

Publicis Groupe Africa is one of the continent’s leading marketing and communications groups, home to agencies spanning media, creative, data and production. Our Connected Media practice brings strategy, planning, activation and measurement together in one integrated team, working with some of Africa’s most recognised brands. We invest in people, capability and craft, and we build careers, not just campaigns.

Overview

Every media booking has to be paid for accurately and on time. In this role you will help set up a local Accounts Payable capability inside Publicis Media, learning how media is booked, invoiced, reconciled and paid, and how clean finance data keeps campaigns and client billing on track.

Responsibilities

What You Will Do

• Capture and match media supplier invoices against bookings and purchase orders

• Support month-end reconciliations between buying systems, supplier statements and finance records

• Track and follow up on outstanding invoices, credit notes and payment queries with media owners

• Maintain accurate AP trackers, filing and audit-ready documentation

• Flag discrepancies in rates, volumes or billing early to the buying and finance teams

• Assist with basic reporting on spend, payment status and supplier aging

Your 12-Month Learning Journey

• Month 1 – Foundations: Connected Media bootcamp, platform certifications and pod induction

• Months 2–4 – Rotation: short rotations across Strategy, Operations and Performance (about a week per discipline with a specialist)

• Months 5–10 – Seat: live placement in the home team with a named mentor and defined account responsibilities

• Months 10–12 – Absorption gate: assessment against the Connected Media JD and offer into a commercially approved role, where available

Who We Are Looking For

Someone with a genuine interest in media and a strong head for numbers – not a strategy-focused graduate. Detail-driven, organised and comfortable working in spreadsheets every day.

Qualifications

Minimum requirements

• Completed relevant tertiary qualification (3-year degree or 3-year diploma) in the field listed below

• Basic computer literacy, including Microsoft Office (Excel in particular)

• Good written and verbal communication skills

• Available for a 12-month, Johannesburg-based internship from March 2027

• A positive attitude, curiosity and a commitment to learning

• Preferred field of study: Accounting, finance, commerce, business administration or a related field

Nice to have

• Exposure to an accounting or ERP system

• Interest in how the media and advertising industry works

Additional information

What We Offer

• A 12-month, structured internship with hands-on exposure to real client work

• A named mentor and buddy, plus rotations across the Connected Media model

• Platform certifications and learning through our internal academies

• A clear absorption gate into a commercially approved role, where available

Publicis Groupe Africa is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building diverse and inclusive teams and welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including candidates with disabilities. Preference may be given to candidates in line with our Employment Equity objectives.