Corporate Affairs Head – Southern Africa

About the role

As the Corporate Affairs Head for Southern Africa at Mars Snacking, you will safeguard and enhance the company’s reputation across the region. You will act as a strategic partner to senior leadership, providing insights, tools and communication strategies that support sustainable growth and align with Mars’ purpose.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Corporate Reputation plan for Southern African markets, increasing external visibility and share of voice.
• Build and maintain relationships with trade associations, regulators, NGOs, media and local communities.
• Lead crisis preparedness and response, delivering training (CALM) and acting on the Crisis Management Team when required.
• Drive internal engagement by connecting associates to Mars’ purpose, Five Principles and signature programmes such as MAP and MVP.
• Oversee the external consumer care service provider, ensuring consumer interactions create mutual value and delivering quarterly insights.
• Represent Mars externally across segments, ensuring coordinated corporate public relations efforts.

Required profile

• Relevant university or bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in corporate affairs, communications, public affairs, journalism or a related field.
• Proven track record in corporate identity management, media strategy, issues/crisis management, internal communications and government relations.
• Highly autonomous with the ability to influence senior leaders and external stakeholders without direct authority.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical skills and the capacity to shape senior‑level dialogue.
• Collaborative team player with excellent cross‑functional and cross‑geographic communication abilities.
• Fluency in English; proficiency in one or more African languages is highly desirable.

Required skills