• The External Affairs and Public Policy Director drives and leads proactive and focused stakeholder engagement and management, leveraging internal cross-functional team capabilities. In doing so, the role provides targeted thought leadership, shapes policy outcomes and contributes towards protecting Tiger Brands’ license to operate and creating an enabling operating environment, while championing food security today and tomorrow.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Focused & proactive stakeholder engagement

• Ensure National Government Stakeholders and BU stakeholders are prioritised based on issues mapping, with relationship owners assigned and effective engagement plans developed and implemented.
• Lead the company’s efforts to influence policy and the regulatory framework in an ethical and effective way and support the executive in stakeholder engagements. 
• Lead the operational/site stakeholder engagement programme, supported by the Regional External Relations Specialist, to nurture productive community relationships, mitigate risk and create an enabling operating environment.
• Ensure industry and business organisation memberships are proactively managed to drive impact, with appropriate Tiger representation at board level, steering/ standing committees and working groups aligned to priority issues. Drive coordination internally to ensure a cohesive approach to issues and opportunity management across engagements. 
• Develop and implement the requisite operational procedures, processes and systems to support the effective working of the stakeholder engagement and public policy function 
• Issues mapping, management and monitoring
• Develop and implement methodologies to monitor the public policy environment and proactively plan and deliver appropriate responses to proposed policy /regulatory changes that impact Tiger Brands 
• Monitor and track issues and stakeholder risks.
• Lead the development of policy and issue position papers, supported by the External Affairs & Public Policy Manager, in collaboration with the Regulatory Director, General Counsel: Regulatory, Compliance & Litigation and  Corporate Communications

Measurement and continuous improvement

• Apply a framework and methodology for measuring the quality of relationships with material stakeholders in accordance with best practice.
• Conduct regular benchmarking, research and consider best practices, local conditions, trends, as well as competitor activity to ensure execution excellence and drive continuous improvement in the function.

Governance and Reporting

• Report on all issues related to stakeholder engagement and the quality of relationships, including, but not limited to, the Integrated Annual Report, board and executive committee reports and quarterly reporting to the Social, Ethics & Sustainability committee.
• Develop, implement and maintain group policies for stakeholder engagement and governance, including the development of standard operating procedures.
• Line management responsibility for External Affairs and Public Policy function – Including all performance and talent management, capability development and career mapping activities.
• Collaboration – build strong Exco, BU and other cross-functional relationships and work collaboratively across the Corporate Affairs portfolio to ensure delivery of strategic priorities

WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE TABLE:

Key attributes and competencies

• A stakeholder-first mind set, with strong influencing and negotiating skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex and dynamic environment.
• High level of emotional intelligence in all engagements which result in generating shared value
• An excellent collaborator with superior management and strong communication skills.
• A problem-solver and skilled at managing hostile or challenging engagements.
• Ability to work at pace and under pressure with all levels of management and stakeholders.  

Experience

• Relevant Bachelor’s degree or similar in Public Policy, Political Science, Communications, Economics or related fields.
• At least 10 years of experience in a corporate or public affairs lead role with proven stakeholder management experience Strong knowledge or experience in regulated industries with effective stakeholder management capabilities, and ability to drive engagement strategies and shape policy outcomes, including community engagement. 
• Proven track record of working with Government at the Provincial, National and Municipal levels.