Head of Alcohol in Society & Sustainability at Diageo

Reports To: EABL Corporate Relations Director

Financial

Budget Oversight of Kshs 60M

Leadership Responsibilities

• A member of the KBL Extended Leadership Team and CR Leadership teams
• Regularly contributes to successful issue resolution and reputation management
• Develops and implements clear, concise strategic, operational and financial plans
• Build great relationships both internally and externally
• Identify opportunities for partnerships and synergies with other like-minded institutions and organizations
• Showcase Diageo/EABL/KBL initiatives to all stakeholders to enhance our reputation.

Purpose of Role

This is a role with both a reputational and commercial focus responsible for developing and managing KBL’s strategy, policies and Programmes

Top Accountabilities

The focus of this role is to:

Operational Support   

• To develop and execute corporate relations strategies; ensure clear deliverables
• Provide strategic direction and leadership in line with the business plan
• Strategic stakeholder relations - develop relationships with key members of staff, government officials, policy influencers and advocate with them, and work with them on relevant and emerging legislation that affects the business.
• Close liaison with technical and operations leads
• Coach, mentor, and develop teams to ensure good performance
• Partnership on employee engagement and issues management
• Drives a strong public affairs agenda representing current and anticipated future needs of the business
• Ensures strategic alignment with the regional, Africa and global group corporate relations strategy
• Consults and recommends actions to improve organizational communication and in formulating policies that strengthen community relations
• Issue and crisis management

Regulatory

• Support commercial teams on licensing with relevant govt bodies
• Identifies opportunities for business competitiveness

Advocacy

• Development and implementation of advocacy strategies + campaigns to boost the business’ public policy positions
• Develop and maintain relationships with policy advocacy and communications stakeholders
• Represent EABL on Stakeholder Forums focusing on ESG  and ensure proper communication of our progress in reporting and via speaker opportunities
• Highlight and build awareness around the milestones being achieved in the value chain
• Driving advocacy against illicit alcohol and creating a contestable space for our brands

Sustainable Development

• Drive strategy and support implementation programmes to ensure improved sustainability performance
• Create and implement communication strategies to publicize the company’s sustainability effort and promote broad awareness of sustainability initiatives, both internally and externally
• Support ESG policies and programmes at market level, taking a holistic Sustainability approach, in order to gain the trust and respect of the business’ principal stakeholders and maximize value to the business
• Serve as the internal leader and “go to” expert for sustainability, monitoring emerging trends, programs and issues, and communicating and educating others on sustainability topics
• Support development and implementation of specific high-profile Sustainability projects which demonstrate company leadership
• Support global and market compliance with global environmental and water/agric policies and standards.

Stakeholder engagement

• Help to develop and manage relationships with complimentary key external stakeholders including Multilateral partners, NGOs, Governments, banks and social entrepreneurs to help extend the remit and positive impact of our partnerships.
• Provide key role in connecting functions and Business Units to an integrated Sustainability strategy (focusing on water and raw materials) - through management of strategy, policies and communications - and stakeholder engagement (internal & external)
• Work with leaders to provide senior expertise and counsel on Sustainability strategy, programme and policy to our business leaders.
• Collaborates with community stakeholders to increase and maintain the EABL foundation's visibility.
• Drive Community engagement activities and drive corporate reputation
• Identify public policy opportunities and threats of relevance to the business
• Oversee the publication of the EABL Sustainability Report and regular updates to the EABL Board and relevant Board Committees

Qualifications and Experience Required

Qualifications

• Business Degree and a post graduate qualification or equivalent experience in one or more than the following: Sustainability, Communication, Public Affairs, Issues Management in a multinational, large organization or agency.
• MBA degree an added advantage
• Demonstrated leadership ability and strength in building relationships and managing programmes.
• Strong understanding of sustainable development issues (especially water and agriculture, and environment).
• Good understanding of the ESG environment in East Africa.

Experience

• 6 – 8 years’ experience in leading & managing corporate relations agenda
• Experience in managing the multi-stakeholder environment working with both internal and external stakeholders at different levels on the regional stage.
• 5 – 6 years’ experience in working on sensitive and complex policy agendas
• 5 – 6 years’ experience of working as part of a senior business leadership team would be an advantage.