Stakeholder Relations and Public Affairs Manager

Let's Write Africa's Story Together!

Old Mutual is a firm believer in the African opportunity and our diverse talent reflects this.

The Manager: Stakeholder Relations & Public Affairs is accountable for driving group-wide coordination of stakeholder engagement and public affairs across Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4 stakeholders. This includes government, trade union federations, business associations, and industry bodies. The role requires significant expertise and influence and operates within established Group strategy and governance frameworks.

Functioning as a Group centre of excellence, the role is entrusted with delivering the biennial Stakeholder Relations Audit (SRA) and providing leadership to the Stakeholder Relations Community of Practice (STR COP).

Reporting to the Group Head of Stakeholder Relations and Public Affairs, the role ensures alignment with Group-wide priorities.

Key Result Areas

• Implement and coordinate the Group Stakeholder Relations strategy for Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4 stakeholders across all clusters and operating entities.

• Provide strategic guidance to clusters and business-level stakeholder practitioners on engagement planning and execution.

• Support the Group Head of Stakeholder Relations and Public Affairs in strategically managing priority Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4 stakeholder relationships. including:

  • Business and industry associations

  • Government

  • Trade union federations and organised labour structures

• Serve as the Group interface for institutional stakeholders where a consolidated Old Mutual position is required.

• Identify cross-cutting stakeholder risks, sensitivities and opportunities and escalate appropriately to the Group Head of Stakeholder Relations and Corporate Affairs.

• Lead OML’s participation in high-impact, cross-cutting stakeholder events, policy forums and industry engagements.

• Coordinate executive representation across clusters to ensure consistent positioning and messaging.

• Own and deliver the Group Stakeholder Relations Assessment (SRA) on a biennial basis.

• Ensure consistent SRA methodology and application across clusters and operating entities.

• Consolidate insights into a Group-level action plan, monitor implementation and report progress to Group Head of Stakeholder Relations and Corporate Affairs.

• Use SRA insights to inform Group stakeholder strategy, risk management and strategic planning processes.

• Lead the Group Stakeholder Relations Community of Practice.

• Drive capability development, knowledge-sharing and alignment across stakeholder-facing functions.

• Act as the custodian of stakeholder relations methodologies and frameworks at Group level.

• Ensure Group stakeholder engagements comply with governance, ethics, conduct and reputational risk frameworks.

• Assist with Stakeholder Relations policy updates where required

• Provide regular insight reports to the Group Head of Stakeholder Relations and Public Affairs on stakeholder sentiment, policy risks and emerging issues.

• Assist with Integrated Report stakeholder relations delivery

• Effectiveness of Tier 2, 3 and 4 stakeholder engagement outcomes.

• Successful delivery and implementation of SRA actions.

• Effectiveness of the STR Community of Practice.

• Risk mitigation and avoidance of stakeholder-related incidents.

• Quality and timeliness of policy and regulatory reports.

• Degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Development Management, Economics, Law, International Relations or relevant field

• 5 years ‘experience in Group-level stakeholder relations, corporate affairs, public affairs or policy advocacy

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in middle management and coordination involving senior, high-profile representatives of corporations, government, and other stakeholder organisations.

• Demonstrated experience coordinating stakeholder engagement across multiple business units or geographies

The appointment will be made from the designated group in line with the Employment Equity Plan of Old Mutual South Africa and the specific business unit in question.

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