Manager, Strategic Liaison at Exxaro Resources

PURPOSE:

• Support the development and implementation of the group strategic engagement approach.  
• Develop and continuously foster positive, mutually reinforcing strategic relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government, industry CEOs, industry associations, NGOs, and environmental groups.
• Lead effective feedback and communication management for strategic partnerships aimed at cultivating and nurturing strategic relations.
• Accountable for brand and reputation management as well as driving a compelling brand identity for the company to the market, media, and strategic partners.
• Ensure strategic crisis management and response aimed at protecting the organizational brand and reputation.
• Accountable for the management of strategic donations and/or sponsorships.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA (Hons) Communication Management ( Essential/Minimum or )
• B Degree (Hons) (Relevant) ( Essential/Minimum )
• Management Development Programme ( Essential/Minimum )
• Master of Business Administration ( Recommended/Desirable 

EXPERIENCE: 

• 10 years  Successfully led the development and execution of strategic plans to enhance collaboration and partnership opportunities with key stakeholders including government

Duties & Responsibilities:

Brand identity, management and strategic positioning:    

• Develop and implement comprehensive high profile event strategies linked to the stakeholder management strategy and Investor Relations and liaison strategy ensuring that the overall corporate message architecture and delivery of align with the organisation’s strategic objectives and reputational goals.
• Project coordination and management utilising cross functional and diverse teams to deliver on projects on time and within budget to achieve stated outcomes.
• Leverage relationships with members of the government, industry CEOs, industry associations to coordinate, host, and deliver on complex projects, including high profile industry conferences that attract +500 delegates.
• Assess and recommend corporate sponsorships, advertising, brand- building opportunities.
• Monitor the overall reputation of the company amongst stakeholders and proactively protect Exxaro corporate reputation and brand.
• Scan, and monitor information sources to track issues of reputational concern as they arise.
• Protect and enhance the organization's reputation and brand through external events which connect Exxaro with its key stakeholders.
• Monitor general media trends and industry developments to identify opportunities and potential threats.

Compliance, Governance and Assurance:   

• Provide assurance regarding the application of strategic relationships/ partnerships/ stakeholder engagement and/or liaison standards, processes, and best practices.
• Ensure all initiatives are delivered in accordance with the group strategic liaison policies, guidelines, procedures etc.
• Adhere to sound corporate governance principles and address discrepancies.
• Collaborate with senior management (and relevant internal teams) to ensure alignment regarding strategic engagement and communications.
• Alignment and standardisation of strategic liaison and engagement practices across the group including governance adherence.

Effective People Management:   

• Plan and manage performance, skills development, employment equity, talent and culture of team to improve strategic engagements and partnerships and to enable successful execution of the stakeholder management strategy.
• Ensure clear communication of individual, divisional and business targets and objectives and drive performance towards their fulfilment.
• Embody, translate, and entrench Exxaro's cultural themes (i.e., responsibility, adaptability, openness and connectivity, diversity, and ownership) within the function.
• Manage functional climate in which diversity is appreciated, high performance thrives, and people are fully engaged.
• Promote and participate in cross-functional collaboration and relationship-building activities among senior leadership to enhance team synergy and drive successful outcomes.
• Optimise team structure taken control of by staff that are motivated, empowered and lead by sound performance management and transformational leadership practices.
• Continually drive for optimized and fit for purpose structures.
• Foster effective teamwork and unity.

Group strategic engagement approach:    

• Custodian of the overall stakeholder management strategy and execution of processes.
• Lead the development and execution of strategic plans in conjunction with the Head, Investor Relations and Liaison and key stakeholders internally to enhance collaboration and partnership opportunities with the intention of increasing  Exxaro’s strategic partnerships over the next year.
• Establish and nurture relationships with industry associations, government agencies and external partners ensuring alignment with Exxaro’s goals to foster goodwill and collaboration.
• Gather inputs from stakeholders and integrate insights into decision- making.
• Develop targeted communication strategies for different stakeholder groups.
• Present  regular, comprehensive reports to the executive team providing insights into the status of strategic initiatives, performance metrics and recommendations for improvement.
• Successfully resolving conflicts and challenges that emerge during strategic initiatives, minimizing disruptions and maintaining positive relationships with stakeholders.
• Utilise data driven insights to identify market trends and competitive intelligence leading to the development of opportunities with strategic partners to enhance Exxaro’s strategic position and reputation.
• Keep abreast of industry trends through continuous learning to ensure that the function relevant, aware of emerging technologies and applies best practices in strategic management through ongoing professional development and networking..

Proactive strategic donations:    

• Drive group wide strategic donations and/or sponsorships as an approach to nurturing key strategic relationships that are aimed at the realisations of targeted strategic objectives and/or business (value) benefits.

Safe and Healthy Work Environment:

• Maintain and ensure a healthy environment, safe operations practices, ensuring compliance with all applicable Safety Health and Environmental (SHE) policies/procedures in line with set standards.
• Encourage a culture that focuses on safety in all operations

Strategic Relationships:    

• Cultivate and nurture strategic relations.
• Process owner to ensure Exxaro builds and maintains all strategic relationships with key stakeholders (Government, industry relationships, NGOs, etc.) for the benefit and good reputation of the organisation.
• Proactively liaise with government entities to ensure regulatory compliance and advocate company interests to enhance business value creation for both our shareholders and broader socioeconomic landscape.
• Collaborating with government bodies and industry associations to stay informed about regulatory changes and industry trends.
• Lead organisation in remaining abreast with industry regulations of relevance to the function, ensure compliance and proactively advocate for favourable policy changes that will benefit Exxaro.
• Negotiating partnerships with local and international organizations, securing favourable terms and expanding Exxaro’s global reach.

Strategic crisis management and response:  

• Co-develop and embed org-wide protocols for effective engagement with diverse stakeholders targeted at protecting and preserving strategic relationships during crisis situations.
• Brand and Reputation management aimed at ensuring the elevation and protection of the company image.

Supplier Management:  

• Identify and contract service providers, manage provision of services including costs, delivery etc.
• Address performance issues to ensure seamless service delivery and adherence to the Group governance.