General Manager, Communication & External Affairs

Responsibilities :

Strategic Corporate Communications:

Ability to advise and provide counsel to the company's business and executive leadership as required on issues relating to managing media, stakeholder, reputation, and communications issues. Develop and lead execution of an integrated corporate communications strategy aligned with business objectives, growth plans, and corporate commitments, with clear communications KPIs and reputation metrics. Ability to network, interface, and influence at C-Suite level within the company and outside with different stakeholders. Deep understanding of investor related communications, ESG Communications, Sustainability Reporting, and leverage as a competitive advantage for the company.

External Stakeholder Management:

Design and lead the company's stakeholder engagement framework, while maintaining strategic relationships with key government ministries, regulatory bodies, and policy makers relevant to oil and gas operations. Lead engagement on regulatory and policy matters affecting the license to operate, in coordination with Legal, Government Relations, and Operations.

Brand Management:

Ability to position the company as a thought leader with a differentiated Brand presence in the oil and gas industry and the overall listed company groupings within Nigeria and other relevant markets. Own and safeguard the corporate brand strategy, identity, and positioning across the market, ensuring compliance within and eternally with third parties Oversee digital and social media presence, ensuring content strategy reinforces brand positioning and stakeholder trust. Monitor brand health and reputation indices, commissioning perception studies and audits as needed.

Crisis Communication:

Ability to lead an integrated crisis response and communications management initiative on behalf of the Group with positive results in business and reputation terms. Develop, maintain, and test the corporate crisis and issues management communication plan, including HSE incidents, operational disruptions, and reputational threats. Act as lead communications advisor during crises, coordinating real-time messaging across internal, media, government, and other channels. Build organizational crisis-readiness through training, simulations, and clear escalation protocols. Conduct post-crisis reviews and integrate lessons learned into communication protocols.

Media and Public Relations:

Ability to establish an internal and externally supported structure that enables 24/7 media risk mitigation and management for the company with measurable results Familiarity with digital and social media platforms and user behavior and ability to leverage on that knowledge to identify and mitigate communications risk in digital and online platforms as well as in commercially sensitive conversations around the company's interest areas Monitor media coverage and public sentiment, providing early warning on emerging issues and reputational risks, managing relationships with PR agencies, media monitoring vendors, and communications consultants.

Other Accountabilities:

Lead and develop the communications and external relations team, building capability across all discipline areas. Ability to bring structure and process into the practice of Communications across the Group Ensure all communications comply with relevant regulatory, disclosure, and industry codes Collaborate cross-functionally with HSE, Legal, Government Relations, HR, and Investor Relations on integrated messaging.

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Relations, Journalism, International Relations, or related field; master’s degree preferred. Minimum 10 years of experience in the oil and gas industry within or outside Nigeria with at least 5 years’ experience as a Communications Lead in a major company that could be a peer brand to the company. Prior experience in oil & gas, extractive industries, or another highly regulated, high-risk sector strongly preferred. Demonstrated experience managing crisis communications in a complex operating environment. · Proven track record engaging government, regulators, and relevant stakeholders at a senior level. Professional certification in public relations or crisis communications is an advantage.

Skills & Competencies:

Candidate is at skill/mastery across the 11 practice areas: Public Relations, Media Relations, Issues & Crisis Management, Brand & Reputation Management, Internal & External Communications, Campaigns & Events, Website & Social Media Management, ESG Communications, Audience & Stakeholder Management, Content Creation & Visual Communications, Publications/Editorial. Strategic thinking with strong business and political acumen. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level writing and public speaking. Strong stakeholder influencing and relationship-building capability across government, media, and all stakeholder groups Sound judgment and composure under pressure, particularly in crisis or high-stakes situations. Deep understanding of the regulatory, political, and social operating environment for oil and gas. Strong leadership and team development capability