Director - Strategic Relation Stakeholder Engagement at BDO South Africa

Primary Purpose of the Job

The role requires a strategic approach to building and maintaining strong commercial, multi-year relationships with stakeholders to ensure the company's business strategy objectives are achieved in the medium to long-term.
The role will exist in a matrix structure with the primary reporting relationship to the Chief Brand Officer and secondary reporting lines to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Markets Officer.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Professional Services Foundation: Create an understanding and develop insights into the complex regulatory, reputational, and challenging Audit, Advisory, Tax and Business Services professional services industry. This will inform BDO’s Stakeholder Engagement Strategy and the amplification of its brand positioning and integrated value proposition across private and public sector targets.
• Stakeholder Engagement Strategy: Develop and implement a comprehensive and multi-year stakeholder engagement strategy that aligns with the company's overall business goals and objectives. This includes identifying key stakeholders, conducting stakeholder analysis, and creating plans to engage and influence stakeholders to support the company's business strategy and targets. The commercial purpose is to position BDO with key stakeholders; size the commercial opportunities; guide the business in respect of future RFPs. The strategy should be cost effective; show achievable milestones; and define success measures.
• Strategic Stakeholders & Insights: Develop a database of strategic stakeholders which are aligned to our Markets (Sector/Service Lines/Regional) strategy and optimise that ecosystem. Develop insights from these stakeholders and ensure they are embedded in the ecosystem to best position BDO to win.
• Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, partners, government entities, regulatory bodies, and other relevant stakeholders. This involves proactively engaging with stakeholders through various channels, including meetings, events, workshops, conferences and other relevant platforms, to understand their needs and concerns, address any issues, and ensure ongoing collaboration and support.
• Positioning and Reputation Management: Monitor and manage the company's positioning and reputation with key stakeholders by proactively addressing any potential issues, mitigating risks, and leveraging opportunities to enhance the company's image and brand reputation.
• Advocacy and Lobbying: Develop and implement advocacy and lobbying strategies to promote the company's interests and influence key stakeholders' decision-making processes. This includes monitoring and analysing policy developments, engaging with government entities and regulatory bodies, and advocating for favourable policies and regulations that impact the company's operations and business environment.
• Corporate Memberships: Ensure that our corporate memberships are centralised (BLSA, IODSA, CFO, Chambers of Commerce, ABASA etc); evaluate and optimise the commercial opportunities; analyse the return on investment.
• Communication and Reporting: Develop and deliver effective communication strategies to keep stakeholders informed about the company's activities, initiatives, and achievements. Prepare regular reports and presentations for senior management, board of directors, and other relevant stakeholders, providing updates on stakeholder engagement efforts, progress, and outcomes.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Ensure effective collaboration with internal departments, such as Markets (Sector/Service Lines/Regional), Business Development, Brand/Marketing/Communications, Legal, Finance, and Operations and align stakeholder engagement efforts with overall business strategies to ensure consistent messaging and positioning across the organisation

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Communications, Public Relations, or related field. A Master's degree would be an added advantage.

Requirements

• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and lobbying at C-Suit/Executive/a Senior Leadership Levels in Public/Private Sectors across all Sectors (Macro and Socio-Economic Sectors & Civil Society)

Technical Competencies

• Strong understanding of the South African business environment, regulatory landscape, and key stakeholders, including government entities, industry associations, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, including verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to analyse complex issues, identify trends, and develop data-driven strategies.
• Leadership skills, with the ability to influence and manage stakeholders and strategic/key relationships at all levels of the organization, including senior executives, board members, and external partners.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct in dealing with sensitive and confidential information.
• Proficient in MS Office suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

BDO Core Competencies

• Advanced verbal and written communication skills
• Intermediate skills in building trust and relationships as well as fostering a collaborative working environment
• Advanced skills in professionalism, attention to detail, ability to prioritise and handle stress and being task driven and delivery focused
• Intermediate skills in being innovative and willing to share ideas for new ways of working