Head, Public Relations at Airtel

Level: Mid-Senior level

Job Summary

• Build and sustain positive brand reputation & company image, managing stakeholders expectations (staff, the Media, Regulators, Government, etc) and providing support for marketing & sales activities as well as generating sales lead. 
• Manage relationship with the media, Business Partners and third party agencies and making the brand a more visible brand through increased share of voice, share of space and ultimately stimulating increased share of pocket.

Key Accountabilities
Public Relations Strategy implementation:

• Assist in developing and implementing a Strategy for PR which will form part of the overall Divisional Strategy required for growing the Brand.
• Develop Regional PR Strategy &Programmes for the company in line with the recent changes in the Regional Structure.
• Act as adviser to the Director, Corporate Communications on the role of communication and PR in building and managing the reputation of the company.
• Implement Strategies for managing the company’s brand awareness and perception through the media.
• Lead the communication sub-group in the cross-functional team during crisis management

Media Relationship Strategy & General Relationship Management:

• Develop strategies for managing relationships with the media
• Supervise the management of Airtel’s relationship with the Media.
• Assist in managing strategic alliances with 3rd party organizations to leverage company’s activities
• Ensure high visibility for the Airtel brand by ensuring media coverage for the company’s activities
• Act as Airtel’s second line spokesman in responding to media enquiries and ensuring the company’s views are clearly expressed in news reports concerning the company.
• Liaise synergistically with other departments in projecting the company’s strategies, plans and objectives, in line with its vision, mission and values

Consumer Affairs Management:

• Develop and implement an effective Consumer Affairs leveraging roadmap, providing high visibility for company’s products, services and promotions.
• Assist in developing PR initiatives to support every sponsorship property
• Ensure PR mileage for the brands as part of the overall communication and perception management strategy
• Plan PR campaign and leverage sponsored assets to create positive perception for the company

PR Campaign Management:

• Ensure that all PR transactions, Agreements, and activities are processed and approved in accordance with the company Delegation of Authority and policies and procedures before committing the company.
• Ensure that all expenditure on PR are within budget and documented
• Ensure team work and mutual cooperation by sharing information via meetings
• Coordinate Regional PR activities
• Coordinate weekly PR reports or feedback to Management
• Liaise with the company’s PR consultants for corporate communications purposes.
• Provide environmental monitoring, intelligence, analysis and feedback services to the Head, Corporate Communications.
• Advise on public speaking opportunities and assist in the preparation of speeches and presentations for same.

Public Affairs, Advocacy & Regulatory Communications:

• Provide communications support for key Regulatory activities
• Liaise with Regulatory, understand company’s position on regulatory matters and provide media support for regulatory agenda including adoption of Mobile Number Portability, SIM Card Registration, etc.
• Assist in providing communications support for litigation and other legal issues.
• Provide media support for HR Employee Perception Management

Internal Communications, Digital Communications Management & New Media:

• Manage the Internal Communications function of Airtel Nigeria
• Responsible for supporting HR in delivering the Employee engagement agenda
• Manage the analysis of social conversations and digital programs to determine if Airtel is reaching and engaging audiences in these fast-growing communities
• Manage online communities and ensure publicity for company’s activities across digital platforms
• Manage personal engagement with customers using relevant social media platforms
• Ensure social conversations are positive and favourable to the Airtel brand
• Identify and build relationship with opinion leaders, influential bloggers, etc
• Manage crisis and clarify issues relating to the company’s brand’s name, products, services, etc

Reporting:

• Manage the collation of weekly media coverage reports
• Manage environmental monitoring through print and electronic media scan
• Manage and Evaluate the effectiveness of communication Plan & Execution and reporting of results
• Manage the review and evaluation of PR campaigns

Public Management:

• Manage all company publications and corporate communications.
• Edit and produce relevant company magazines to keep staff & other stakeholders informed

Educational Qualifications & Functional / Technical Skills

• A minimum of Second Class Upper Degree in Mass Communication or Social Sciences, or any related field of study such as Business or Arts
• Master's Degree in Business Administration / Corporate Communications and Reputation Management or relevant discipline would be preferred
• Membership of the Public Relations Institute (NIPR) is obligatory.

Relevant Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years post-graduation experience, three of which must be in Public Relations in FMCG/Telecommunications Company.
• Experience in journalism and Public Affairs highly desirable
• A very broad understanding of the Telecommunications/ cellular industry
• Proven track record of completing major PR Campaign planning process
• Wide-ranging contacts in the media and the public are crucial

Other requirements:

• Excellent leadership and communications skills
• Excellent flair for writing and public speaking
• Excellent media network and very deep knowledge of the media
• High ethical, moral and professional integrity
• Fluency in English at business level.
• Personal business effectiveness
• Ability to travel locally and internationally at short notice
• Adaptable, accountable and passionate
• Ability to work under Pressure and for long hours
• Imaginative, creative and innovative
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Passion for customers.