Head Corporate Affairs and Brand

Develop and execute unified brand strategy to ensure consistent positioning across all touchpoints, enhancing customer and stakeholder experience.

Drive integrated, end-to-end (360°) communication strategies that build trust, credibility, and industry leadership across key markets, communities, and the petrochemical sector.

Build and maintain strong relationships with government and external stakeholders to align business objectives with relevant policy, regulatory frameworks, and broader socio-economic priorities such as transformation and the energy transition.

Leverage data and insights to inform strategy, track performance, and improve the efficiency and impact of corporate brand initiatives.

Strengthen the company’s crisis communication capability to protect brand reputation and maintain stakeholder confidence.

Shape and drive advocacy messaging influences public perception, policy, and stakeholder alignment.

Develop and lead a high-performing team to effectively execute strategic brand and stakeholder engagements.

• Develop a stakeholder engagement strategy, including media, government, communities, and industry bodies.

• Oversee proactive reputation building initiatives and crisis communication responses.

• Serve as a spokesperson or support spokespersons with consistent, on-brand messaging.

• Support sustainability and ESG communication as part of the company’s reputation strategy.

• Lead on the development and integration of Corporate Identity (incl.  values, ambition, purpose, promise)

• Partner with EXCO to embed brand thinking in other business functions.

• Own and enforce brand guidelines and corporate identity standards across the business.

• Manage creative agency partnerships, including performance, cost, and innovation.

• Oversee brand budgeting to ensure effective allocation of resources and cost control.

• Conduct regular brand audits and training to support brand consistency.

• Establish clear governance frameworks, communication protocols, and performance metrics to manage expectations and monitor progress.

• Build a high-performing team that shows a bias for action and consistently delivers business results.

• Cultivate a values-driven, performance-focused culture.

• Drive transformation, diversity, and inclusion within the team.

• Build a track record of delivering excellent results across the business.

• Lead audience segmentation and persona development to deepen relevance and connection.

• Integrate brand tracking, analytics, and social listening into decision-making.

• Monitor cultural, digital, and industry trends to ensure relevance and agility in execution.

• Drive a culture of testing, learning, and optimisation in brand and communication efforts.

• Apply best practices in traditional and digital media to deepen audience engagement and impact.

Professional Qualification and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, Political Science); an MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification is advantageous.

Work Experience:

• 15+ years’ experience in Brand and Marketing, Stakeholder Engagement, Corporate Affairs, and Strategic Corporate Communications, with proven leadership roles, preferably within regulated environments.

• Strategic brand leader with a proven track record of building and evolving strong, purpose-led brands that drive equity, loyalty, and trust across diverse markets.

• Successfully developed and executed enterprise-wide brand and communication strategies that align with business objectives, ensuring consistent, impactful engagement across all touchpoints.

• Deep expertise in stakeholder management, with established relationships across government, regulators, media, communities, and internal audiences.

• Skilled in advocacy and narrative development that shape perceptions, influence public policy, and protect brand reputation in complex socio-political contexts.

• Proven ability to shape and evolve the Employee Value Proposition (EVP) to drive internal brand alignment, culture, and employee engagement.

• Extensive knowledge of Corporate Social Investment (CSI), including the design and delivery of programmes that integrate brand purpose with societal impact.

• Experienced in crisis and reputation management, providing steady leadership and communications counsel in high-pressure situations.

• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to translate brand and stakeholder strategies into measurable business value.

• In-depth understanding of the South African socio-political and regulatory landscape, with the agility to navigate shifting stakeholder expectations.

• Proficient in traditional and digital media, with a sharp eye for emerging cultural and communication trends that influence audience behaviour.

Knowledge and skills:

• Proven ability to develop and execute brand strategies that align with business objectives, ensuring consistency, relevance, and competitiveness in the market.

• Creative, proactive, and agile, with a strong drive to deliver impactful outcomes in dynamic environments.

• Skilled in analysing market trends and consumer insights to inform data-driven brand and communication strategies.

• Experienced in managing brand budgets effectively and optimising spend for maximum ROI.

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels across the organisation.

• Strong capability in enforcing brand standards and ensuring alignment with corporate identity and governance frameworks.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, compelling narratives that inspire and influence.

• Sound judgement and a collaborative, 'learn-it-all' mindset that embraces growth and feedback.

• Resilient and adaptable, with a proven ability to thrive in fast-paced, changing environments.

• Self-starter with a results-oriented approach and a strong focus on execution and accountability.

Application deadline:

26 August 2025