Manager Corporate Communications

 Manager Corporate Communications

Department: Government, Joint Venture, and External Relations

Location: Lagos, Nigeria

Reports to: GM, Government, Joint Venture, and External Relations

Direct Reports: Corporate Communications Lead

Job Summary:

The Corporate Communications Manager is a strategic leader responsible for cultivating and protecting Heritage Energy's reputation. This role develops and executes comprehensive communication strategies that advance the company's business objectives, engage key stakeholders, and enhance its brand image. The Manager will oversee all aspects of corporate communications, including executive communications, media relations (traditional and digital), crisis communications, stakeholder engagement, content creation, digital strategy, brand management, internal communications, and public relations. This position requires a deep understanding of the energy industry, strong leadership skills, and the ability to navigate complex communication challenges.

Key Accountabilities:

• Global Reputation Management & Crisis Leadership: You will develop and execute a proactive, enterprise-wide reputation management strategy, incorporating global best practices in regular audits and advanced analytics to consistently enhance and protect Heritage Energy's image across all key stakeholder groups (investors, government, communities, employees, media). You will lead the design and implementation of robust crisis communication plans and protocols, ensuring swift, effective, and ethically sound responses to potential reputational threats. This includes conducting rigorous simulations and training programs to ensure global preparedness.
• Executive & Thought Leadership Amplification: You will serve as a trusted strategic communications advisor to our senior leadership, translating their vision into compelling narratives. This involves crafting impactful speeches, presentations, talking points, and thought leadership pieces that resonate with diverse global audiences and elevate our corporate voice in alignment with international communication standards for transparency and credibility.
• Strategic Media & Digital Command: You will cultivate and maintain strong, ethical relationships with journalists and media outlets (traditional and digital) across relevant international markets. You will develop and execute sophisticated media engagement strategies to proactively secure positive coverage, skillfully manage complex media inquiries, and expertly monitor the global media landscape to identify and seize opportunities to share our corporate story. You will also master our digital presence, overseeing websites, social media channels, and online content, implementing cutting-edge digital communication strategies to enhance global brand visibility, engage stakeholders, and drive business outcomes. This includes continuous online reputation monitoring and proactive management of social media.
• Stakeholder Influence & Global Engagement: You will design and implement communication strategies that foster deep, mutually beneficial engagement and build enduring trust with critical international and local stakeholders, including government officials, regulatory bodies, community leaders, industry partners, investors, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). This requires cultural sensitivity and a nuanced understanding of diverse stakeholder expectations in an E&P context.
• Compelling Content & Consistent Brand Stewardship: You will lead the development of powerful, informative, and globally resonant content across various platforms, including press releases, technical articles, blog posts, website content, social media updates, and marketing materials. You will enforce stringent brand guidelines and ensure consistent messaging and visual identity across all communication channels, upholding a unified global brand image in line with industry best practices.
• Empowering Internal Communications: You will champion a culture of open communication and transparency by developing and implementing internal communication strategies that effectively inform, align, and engage our diverse global workforce, fostering a strong sense of purpose, shared values, and operational excellence.
• Fiscal Prudence & Team Empowerment: You will manage the corporate communications budget effectively and accountably, demonstrating strong financial stewardship. Furthermore, you will supervise, mentor, and empower the Corporate Communications team, fostering a collaborative, high-performing environment that encourages continuous professional development and adheres to international communication professional standards.
• Measurement, Reporting & Strategic Impact: You will rigorously track, analyze, and report on the effectiveness of all communication strategies and campaigns using globally recognized metrics and insights. This includes providing data-driven recommendations to continuously optimize our efforts, ensuring communications demonstrably contribute to business objectives and reinforce our global standing.
• Public Relations & Global Awareness Driving: You will conceptualize and execute targeted public relations campaigns that strategically raise global awareness of Heritage Energy's initiatives, achievements, and commitment to sustainable operations, solidifying our position as a responsible and innovative leader in the E&P sector.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in corporate communications, with a significant tenure within the energy (Oil & Gas E&P) industry, demonstrating a proven track record of designing and executing successful, high-impact global communication strategies.
• Bachelor's degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field. A master's degree from a globally recognized institution is highly preferred.
• Extensive multinational exposure is an added advantage, with demonstrated success in navigating diverse cultural, regulatory, and business environments across different regions.
• Superior written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse, sophisticated global audiences.
• Deep and nuanced understanding of the Nigerian and broader African media landscape, coupled with established, trusted relationships with key journalists, influencers, and industry media outlets.
• Expertise in strategic reputation management and crisis communication, with extensive practical experience navigating complex, high-stakes scenarios with global implications.
• Advanced proficiency in digital communication platforms and social media strategy, with a proven ability to leverage these channels effectively for global brand building, stakeholder engagement, and issues management.
• Proven expertise in conceptualizing, planning, and executing high-profile corporate events, including conferences, workshops, programme & project launches, and stakeholder engagement programmes, ensuring seamless execution, brand alignment, and impactful audience experiences on a predetermined scale.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking, robust analytical prowess, and exceptional project management skills, with a track record of consistently delivering results under pressure and adhering to international project timelines.
• Exceptional leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills, capable of inspiring, motivating, and developing a diverse, high-performing global communications team.
• Adherence to global communication ethics and best practices, such as those advocated by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) or the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management.
• Exceptional leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills, capable of inspiring, motivating, and developing a diverse, high-performing global communications team.

Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking
• Communication (written and verbal)
• Media Relations
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Crisis Management
• Digital Communications
• Content Creation
• Events Management
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Project Management
• Problem-Solving

Analytical Skills