Corporate Affairs Manager at PepsiCo, Inc.

Overview

• The Corporate Affairs Lead PO1 – West Africa is a high-impact leadership role responsible for protecting and enhancing PepsiCo’s license to operate in a volatile, high-growth region. Serving as a Strategic Business Partner and Shield for both Foods and Beverages, this role interfaces with internal and external C-Suite audiences to align the organization's voice across diverse commercial structures.

Key strategic imperatives include:

• "One PepsiCo" Stewardship: Navigating a complex landscape of longstanding partners (Seven-Up Bottling Co, Nigeria), new beverage ventures (Castel Group, Angola), and expanding Foods operations.
• Integrated Mandate: Unlike standard CA roles, this position integrates PPGA, Communications, Brand PR, and an extensive Social Impact/ESG portfolio (e.g., WaterAid, Pepsi Stars).
• Commercial Protection: Directly impacting the bottom line by mitigating non-consultative regulatory shifts (Sugar Tax, Plastic EPR) and securing critical permits.
• Strategic Positioning: Elevating PepsiCo from a manufacturer to a "Partner for Growth" by driving the pep+ sustainability agenda and managing high-stakes crisis communications. In the Western region of Africa all these skills are particularly important, given the frequency with which we have faced a wide range of challenges. Local acumen, industry knowledge and languages are all critical skillsets required.
• We have no other and dedicated Corporate Affairs support (except for one Bottler in IVC) in West Africa.
• With a mix of longstanding bottling partnerships with the likes of the Seven Up Bottling Company (Nigeria) and newer partnerships with the Castel Group (Angola) on the beverages side, as well as an expansion on the Foods side of the business, this role is critical to ensuring a "One PepsiCo" voice across both Foods and Beverages.
• The CA PO1 Lead engages government, policy makers and other 3rd party stakeholders in order to lead the organization’s views on public policy and operational issues, assisting policy makers and legislators in amending or laying down better policy and legislation and, where necessary, enabling access to specific permits and exemptions.
• The CA Lead PO1 will be directly responsible for all Corporate Affairs touchpoints across the business – including operations, external stakeholder engagement, strategic advisory, business positioning and for stewarding our Corporate Reputation in the market.
• The role has several functional facets which include: policy and regulatory oversight and implementation, Corporate Reputation management/positioning, strategic advocacy, oversight and advisory on agricultural program implementation, industry association engagement, stakeholder engagement at the highest levels, brand activation & media engagement, directing policy/positioning as well as directly leading internal communication, external communication, Brand PR and social impact.
• Accurately navigating the Nigerian, Francophone and Lusophone landscape to protect our business interests is very, very complex. Specific consideration needs to be given to this when the role is evaluated.
• It will require the ability to represent the business with C-Suite internally, as well as with the highest levels of Government (including the Prime Minister/Presidency/Ministers)
• Within the region, Nigeria, Morocco and Angola remain focal market for both the Africa Franchise (International Beverages) and Nigeria Foods (MENAPAK OU) and requires dedicated support to enable business growth, both from a Corporate Affairs standpoint but also from a Social Impact and Corporate Reputation standpoint.
• The PO1 role currently spans 6 FOBO markets, 1 COSO, 1 FOSO with the potential to grow this further.
• The region is incredibly complex/challenging to operate in. Each region is linguistically, culturally, ethnically diverse with very nuanced approaches to communications and engagement. There is also significant and frequent political change, which requires us to keep our hand on the pulse – on the ground.
• We are in the process of expanding our footprint across Foods and Beverages and, to land this with key stakeholders and opinion leaders, we will need a dedicated Corporate Affairs resource at an appropriate level
• The business is expanding into new categories, such as alcoholic beverages, and this will lead to the expansion of the role to cover these.
• The dynamic speed and manner (non-consultative) with which regulation is imposed also presents significant risk to our business and ongoing operations. It requires a savvy individual, deeply attuned to geopolitical and local political and economic dynamics, and who is able to confidently engage on sensitive/confidential and high-risk matters.
• It is a complex role which entails interfacing and working with a wide range of internal stakeholders – from the GM of the Africa Franchise, CEO of MENAPAK OU (Executive Positioning), the regional commercial Senior Director, the Global VP of Corporate Affairs IB, the SVP of Global Corporate Affairs, the GMs and Franchise Senior Directors (GMs) for key markets within Africa, the Marketing team, Sector and Global Corporate Affairs teams as well as the PepsiCo Foundation.
• On the external front it also entails, in a very significant manner, almost daily and direct engagement, advocacy, negotiation, strategic thinking/advisory with a complex and changeable set of Government (local and federal) stakeholders as well as media, NGOs, industry associations, agency partners, farmers and engagement/alignment with a wide range of industry peers and Seven Up Bottling company, our Bottler, and DP World, our Foods coman partner.
• As we ramp up our presence on the African Continent, including leveraging the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, it will be critical for this PO1 role to also support our external positioning, communications strategy development (including print and social media), messaging development, media management, Brand PR, internal employee engagement/activations as well as joint communication and coordination with our bottling partners.
• The Corporate Affairs PO1 Lead role will also drive key Foundation programs and sustainability efforts, developing compelling storytelling for the market.
• The role also requires extensive cross- functional coordination to develop aligned communications and to oversee the delivery of a robust Communications plan, cross-cutting campaigns and critical communications-related groundwork for business transformation initiatives as we expand our existing businesses in the market.
• Furthermore, the CA P01 Lead role will lead and drive campaigns which drive positive change and enhanced corporate reputation – be it in the realm of health/nutrition and wellness, supporting emerging farmers, enabling access to renewable energy, protecting the environment or other – all of which also impact our organization’s growth, reputation and ability to grow the bottom line.
• The CA Lead PO1 role is also fully responsible for the CSR agenda, with a focus on-, and direct ownership of activities in communities where we operate, while monitoring the larger agenda (e.g. Agriculture impact), all under the umbrella of PepsiCo Positive.

Responsibilities
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

• Define the strategic multi-year vision and strategy for Corporate Affairs within the region in terms of public policy, regulations, government affairs, industry and trade relations, communication and CSR (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION
• Ensure Corporate Affairs’ strategic objectives and targets are met, risks mitigated, and opportunities leveraged. (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION)
• Work with the Nigerian Foods GM, Beverages Senior Director and other critical internal cross-functional stakeholders (local, regional, global) to influence internal and external stakeholders. (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION, CONSULTATION)
• Ensure that PepsiCo’s thought leadership and positioning and voice is prevalent in all discussions and Government frameworks to enable the business and to leverage business growth, minimize risk and maximize commercial and related impact. (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION, CONSULTATION)
• Design the policy approach for LTT (License to Thrive) and steer the business to develop an effective government engagement lobbying plan aligned to the wider stakeholder relations, business, and corporate affairs strategies and approach in the key areas identified, both with local communities and government, all the way up to the federal level. (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION, CONSULTATION)
• Direct our external positioning, communications strategy development (including print and social media), messaging development, media management, Brand PR, internal employee engagement/activations as well as joint communication and coordination with our bottling partners. (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION)
• Deliver upon the PepsiCo Positive community agenda, designing and executing a high impact CSR plan with key focus on stakeholder management as well as community support in collaboration with PepsiCo Foundation(DECISION-MAKING, ACTION, CONSULTATION)

OPERATIONAL DELIVERABLES
SET POLICY DIRECTION & STRATEGY

• Drive the management of key policy and regulatory issues, amidst a dynamic policy and regulatory environment to protect and support the region’s growth ambition.
• Address key policy issues and track/trend them in the civic /social, business and government spaces to ensure that the Company has a “look around the corner” and stays both ahead and abreast of any regulatory risks. (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION)
• Define the strategic roadmap and safeguard PepsiCo’s regulatory risk radar In collaboration with the International Beverages, MENAPAK OU Foods, Global Corporate Affairs leads. Develop a risk mitigation plans/ plans of how to leverage opportunities and turn headwinds into tailwinds. (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION, CONSULTATION)
• Provide strategic counsel to the business and leadership teams to early identification of regulatory business risks and to align internal stakeholders with a view to encompassing the relevant regulatory risks within business plans. (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION, CONSULTATION)
• Monitor and research current and relevant emerging public policy issues concerning how PepsiCo should work with allied organizations and industries. (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION)
• Provide strategic external insight into the company with respect to key policy and regulatory matters that affect the implementation of the commercial and business operational strategy. Decode the external environment for the company. (ACTION)
• Govern a range of internal and external-facing stakeholder engagement platforms to ensure PepsiCo is well-represented in all key fora.
• Spearhead the development and execution of the Government Engagement strategy across local, regional and federal levels, maintaining a proactive agenda with all key stakeholders. (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION, CONSULTATION)
• Establish and maintain a stakeholder engagement monitoring system, driving the business’ agenda across all relevant stakeholders, with clear documentation and action follow-up. (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION, CONSULTATION)
• Partner with functions on strategic projects to enable the overall Corporate Affairs (including PPGA, Communications, Brand PR, pep+, Social impact) elements of such projects, providing key insights and facilitating stakeholder engagements. (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION, CONSULTATION)

LEAD COMMUNICATIONS (INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL), BRAND PR & CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS

• Manage external communications to position PepsiCo as the leading international investor
• Pioneer a refreshed 360-degree Communication strategy, encompassing key communication materials and training to the business on how to leverage these, with a clear focus on PepsiCo Positive (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION)
• Integrate PepsiCo in Africa into the global communication agenda, leveraging global assets locally and positioning W.Africa’s contribution within PepsiCo as both the Foods and Beverages growth engine for PEP International (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION)
• Develop and drive PepsiCo’s external corporate reputation by developing compelling content to uplift social impact, business investments, sustainability and our brands/products in the region. (INFORM AND CONSULTATION)
• Attend relevant platforms/fora/events to safeguard PepsiCo’s business interests (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION
• Accelerate external communication on PepsiCo’s pep+ agenda across the three pillars of Positive Agriculture, Positive Value Chain and Positive Choices, effectively showcasing PepsiCo’s sustainability story in the region across multiple media streams and with a range of stakeholders/key opinion leaders. (ACTION AND CONSULTATION)
• Engage key internal and external stakeholders to galvanize varied and high-impact external communications efforts to build Corporate Reputation. (SOME DECISION-MAKING, CONSULTATION AND ACTION)
• Support the communication of strategic partnerships to advance PepsiCo’s global goals and commitments. This includes packaging, nutrition/health & wellness, sustainable agriculture and other ‘Better’ goals. (ACTION, CONSULTATION)
• Adapt global communications toolkits to Africa-related content and Brand PR (SOME DECISION-MAKING, ACTION AND CONSULTATION)
• Contribute to Annual/Strategic Plans and Budgets. For the totality of the business, including inputs into the Franchise Annual Operating Plans, OU Strategy plans and joint business planning processes with partners. (ACTION, CONSULTATION)
• Lead internal communications alignment with cross-functional team, putting together a comprehensive calendar of events to execute against. (SOME DECISION-MAKING, ACTION AND CONSULTATION)
• Manage updates to Sector and Global communications, including submitting decks/key information and a scorecard for external communication (earned/paid) (ACTION)
• Support Global/Africa Corporate Affairs by developing impactful communications assets such as impact summary briefs and presentations, fact sheets, messaging guides, bios, crisis management talking points + reactive statements etc. (ACTION AND CONSULTATION)

DRIVE AND MANAGE EVENTS

• End-to-end execution, webinars, campaigns, media engagement, messaging development, PR narratives and creative briefs for agencies (SOME DECISION-MAKING, ACTION AND CONSULTATION)

ACCOUNTABILITY IMPACTS – CORPORATE AFFAIRS, PPGA, COMMUNICATIONS, BRAND PR, CSI, ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY, MARKETING, R&D, SUPPLY CHAIN, FRANCHISE BOTTLING, COMMERCIAL, LEGAL

DELIVERING SOCIAL IMPACT

• Improve and implement the Social Impact agenda to protect the positive impact of the business’ operations and activities in local communities.
• Refresh the local Social Impact policy and implement activities to protect long term consistency in activities and secure highest value delivered to communities from investments. (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION, CONSULTATION)
• Establish and maintain a community stakeholder engagement monitoring system, driving the business’ agenda across all relevant community stakeholders, with focus on listening and understanding, mitigating risk where emerging and capitalizing on opportunities as they exist. (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION, CONSULTATION)
• Plan and execute key CSR activities, where possible in collaboration with PepsiCo Foundation(DECISION-MAKING, ACTION, CONSULTATION)
• Champion engagement with local associates, delivering capability building on CSR and PepsiCo Positive community opportunities, leveraging them as ambassadors for PepsiCo. (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION, CONSULTATION)

Financial Management:

• Lead the local execution of the Corporate Affairs budget.

Organizational Culture and Team Leadership:

• Pursue a commitment to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the organization, including hiring and partnership building.

Stakeholder Engagement and Management / Partnership-Building

• Actively engage key stakeholders and partners for enhanced collaboration.

Qualifications

• Education: BSc degree and above in Communications, International Relations, Law, Economics or Business Studies or comparable.
• Experience: Minimum of 8 years working with a Global brand, ideally a Fortune 100/500 company. Experience in developing countries a strong preference.
• Experience working in a matrix reporting structure
• Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment
• Time management and ability to prioritize based on business impact
• High-level interpersonal skills
• Excellent project management and problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail