CARA Director at Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (KWAL)

Job Description:

The job holder will be responsible for developing, driving, and managing corporate and regulatory affairs, and sustainable growth strategies and programs whilst future proofing KWAL & HEINEKEN Beverages International (HBI) business, manifesting in top quartile trust within the FMCG sector across the EAC region.

Stakeholders Management

• Map key strategic stakeholders, develop and implement a pro-active stakeholder engagement and relationship management strategy that enhances the strategic intent of the corporate strategy.
• Identify and leverage strategic relationships to secure optimal strategic positioning in the industry to maximise KWAL performance.
• Engage Senior Internal Stakeholders on external developments that impact the business to ensure understanding, awareness, and impact on commercial priorities to enhance informed business decisions making.
• Work closely with the MD and other Directors in the establishment and management of relationships with key KWAL stakeholders including Government Agencies, Regulators, other industry players, key clients, and regulators.
• Working closely with HR to build internal communications/engagement plans and Employer Value Proposition (EVP) strategies and content.
• Set up frameworks and procedures to support appropriate and timely communication approaches to enhance communications with key stakeholders.
• Manage stakeholder satisfaction research projects, including developing and implementing strategies for continually improving stakeholder satisfaction.
• Coordinate stakeholders contact through the implementation of a stakeholder contact management system including planning and management of stakeholder forums, meetings and special events.
• Implement KWAL projects with the aim of building stakeholder engagement to secure new business for the company.

Public Policy, Advocacy & Regulatory Affairs Management

• Proactively assesses, anticipate and map key risks and opportunities related to market, excise/ fiscal and regulatory environment that will affect business climate, short and long-term business goals.
• Maximise government goodwill to attain an optimal country taxation regime.
• Liaise closely with KWAL stakeholders to provide timely advice to the Managing Director and Board of Directors on emerging issues and any policy or regulatory changes impacting on KWAL’s business.
• Build understanding of how country specific excise, import laws and corporate concessions impact KWAL business and devise strategy on how to be most cost effective.
• Achieve license to trade victories including understanding taxation regimes, maintaining business license, and responding to government needs and requirements.
• Identify and assess business exposure to risk(reputational, regulatory, relationship, external environment, and sustainability impact) as well as design and implement plan for mitigating risks.
• Engage regional trading blocks to understand the threats and opportunities involved in regional politics and develop a plan to influence decisions that will be made in these blocks to the                        advantage of KWAL.

Corporate Affairs / Communications and Reputation Management

• Define a clear, desired reputation for the company and build an integrated communication plan (corporate, brand, internal/employee) with measurable KPI’s:
• Set up meetings with government, media, and influential community members, attend association meetings and carry out planned communication.
• Appropriately identifying local needs and programmes for social investment; setting up and carrying out educational experiences to build stakeholder awareness.
• In charge of developing and socialising KWAL’s message house and managing all external communications both content and channels.
• Monitor and address any negative publicity and initiate the appropriate corrective actions.
• Ensure KWAL’s readiness to deal with crisis situations, leading communications and advising the business during any potential crisis.
•  Influence government, communities, and other stakeholders in perceiving KWAL to be an exemplary corporate citizen.
• Liaise with specific government stakeholders to help build KWAL corporate brand awareness and thus facilitate the expansion of KWAL.
• Leverage industry associations, local partners, communities, in promoting responsible drinking.
• Monitor competitor’s innovation initiatives and develop new approaches that match or exceed local best practice.
• Ensures the optimal execution of all Corporate Affairs processes by using common management tools, monitoring and benchmark methodologies and best practices from the global team / OpCos / companies /industries.

Media and Public Relations Management

• Manage media relationships to best communicate the KWAL’s story to the external target audience.
• Facilitate good media coverage of the Company by developing and maintaining good media relations through lobbying, engagement and availing relevant information to the members of the press as requested.
• Support the RTC & brand team to develop and execute Brand PR strategies to optimise brand strategy/brand campaign through- earned media.
• Manage interface to brand and product complaints, customer and consumer care line, develop appropriate response for dissemination via brand/product/BU or corporate as appropriate.

KWAL Sustainability Management/Functions

• Formulate company’s long-term sustainability vision, mission and operating principles and lead the development of a high-level strategy to support them.
• Support the development of the HEINEKEN Brewing a Better World (BaBW) strategy and governance and coordinate sustainability policies and initiatives to deliver our BaBW agenda.
• Lead the development and execution of a broad-based, company-wide strategic sustainability initiatives, integrating sustainability throughout KWAL and in all areas where it has a footprint.
• Ensure that the company’s sustainability effort enhances business performance and supports the long-term interests of the company.
• Identify relevant information technology to build corporate brand reputation and prevent and/or manage potential issues and conflicts.
• Identifying individuals and groupings who may, in future, influence decisions that impact KWAL’s business.
• Partner to attract, develop, engage, and retain talented individuals and create an environment where they can realize their full potential and contribute to the attainment of departmental and organizational goals.