Principal Corporate Communication Officer

Role Overview

This corporate communications leadership position owns the division's messaging, brand and stakeholder engagement agenda while making sure governance, risk and performance controls are woven into everyday work. The role directs media relations, internal communication, speeches, publications and CSR activity, and it also supervises a team, manages budgets and work plans, and measures whether communication efforts are actually landing. It matters because the organisation depends on clear public messaging, ethical conduct and strong accountability to protect its reputation and deliver its strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Guide the development, execution and review of communication, customer and brand strategies, policies, guidelines and procedures.
• Oversee risk management, accountability, internal control, business continuity and succession planning processes for the division.
• Champion ethical behaviour, good citizenship and corporate governance principles in line with relevant national policies and directives.
• Run the division's performance management cycle, tracking delivery against annual performance contracts and the strategic plan.
• Supervise, coach, mentor and develop section staff, including conducting appraisals and building an effective, motivated team.
• Direct the creation and review of content for media publicity, speeches, publications and information, education and communication materials.
• Manage internal and external media communication, handle incoming media requests, build journalist relationships, execute media campaigns and evaluate public relations effectiveness.
• Coordinate corporate social responsibility initiatives and reports, and contribute to annual work plans, budgets, procurement and asset disposal plans, corruption prevention strategies and business process improvements.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public relations, corporate communication, journalism, mass communication or an equivalent relevant qualification from a recognised institution.
• Master's degree in public communication, public relations, mass communication, journalism or an equivalent relevant qualification from a recognised institution.
• Professional management course lasting at least four weeks from a recognised institution.
• Cumulative nine years of relevant work experience, including at least three years at the level of Senior Corporate Communication Officer or in a comparable position.
• Proven ability to lead corporate communication strategy, media relations, brand management, content development and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience supervising teams, managing performance, preparing work plans and budgets, and applying governance, risk and control frameworks.
• Strong editorial judgement, written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to coach and develop staff.
• Working knowledge of corporate governance, ethics, CSR and relevant national policy or regulatory requirements.