Overview
The Corporate Affairs Lead PO1 – West Africa is a pivotal leadership position tasked with safeguarding and strengthening PepsiCo’s license to operate in a dynamic, high-growth region. In this strategic role, the incumbent serves as both a trusted advisor and a protective barrier for the Foods and Beverages segments, engaging with internal and external C-Suite stakeholders to ensure consistent messaging across varied commercial frameworks.
Strategic priorities encompass fostering innovation, driving operational excellence, and enhancing stakeholder engagement to deliver sustainable growth and long-term value creation.
One PepsiCo Stewardship: Managing a dynamic and intricate network that includes established partners such as Seven-Up Bottling Co in Nigeria, emerging beverage initiatives with Castle Group in Angola, and the ongoing growth of Foods operations.
This role goes beyond conventional CA responsibilities by unifying LPGA, Communications, Brand PR, and a broad Social Impact/ESG portfolio—including engagements with organizations such as Water Aid and Pepsi Stars.
Commercial protection initiatives play a pivotal role in safeguarding financial outcomes by proactively addressing non-consultative regulatory changes, such as the Sugar Tax and Plastic Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), while simultaneously obtaining essential permits.
Strategic Positioning: Transforming PepsiCo’s role from a traditional manufacturer to a trusted “Partner for Growth” by advancing the pep+ sustainability initiative and navigating critical crisis communications. This responsibility is especially vital in the Western Africa region, where the pace and diversity of challenges demand consistent expertise. Proficiency in local market dynamics, deep industry understanding, and multilingual capabilities are essential competencies for this role.
Dedicated Corporate Affairs support is currently unavailable across West Africa, with the sole exception being one Bottler located within the Ivory Coast Value Chain (IOC).
This position plays a pivotal role in unifying PepsiCo’s brand messaging—bridging established beverage collaborations, such as those with the Seven Up Bottling Company (Nigeria), and emerging partnerships, including those with the Castle Group (Angola), while also supporting the company’s strategic expansion in the Foods sector. By fostering alignment across both divisions, the role ensures a cohesive “One PepsiCo” identity in all market engagements.
The CA PO1 Lead fosters collaboration with government officials, policymakers, and external stakeholders to champion the organization’s perspectives on public policy and operational matters. By guiding policymakers and legislators in refining existing policies and drafting stronger legislation, the role ensures more effective outcomes. Additionally, the position facilitates access to essential permits and exemptions when required.
The CA Lead PO1 will oversee all Corporate Affairs interactions throughout the organization—spanning operations, external stakeholder relations, strategic guidance, business positioning, and the preservation of our corporate reputation in the marketplace.
This position encompasses a diverse range of responsibilities, including policy and regulatory oversight and implementation, corporate reputation management and strategic positioning, as well as providing guidance and advisory on agricultural program execution. The role also involves active engagement with industry associations and high-level stakeholders, driving brand activation and media relations, shaping policy and positioning initiatives, and leading both internal and external communications, brand public relations, and social impact strategies.
Navigating the Nigerian, Francophone, and Lusophone markets to safeguard organizational interests presents significant challenges, requiring meticulous attention during role assessments.
The role demands exceptional representation capabilities, engaging with senior leadership internally at the C-Suite level and externally at the highest echelons of government, including the Prime Minister’s Office, Presidency, and key Ministers.
Nigeria, Morocco, and Angola continue to be key markets for both the Africa Franchise (International Beverages) and Nigeria Foods (MENA PAK OU), necessitating focused support to drive business expansion. This assistance must encompass Corporate Affairs initiatives as well as efforts centered on Social Impact and Corporate Reputation management.
The Product Owner I position oversees six FBO markets, one COST market, and one FASO market, with opportunities for additional market expansion in the future.
The region presents significant operational complexity, characterized by diverse linguistic, cultural, and ethnic landscapes that demand highly nuanced communication and engagement strategies. Additionally, the area experiences frequent and substantial political shifts, necessitating constant awareness and adaptability to ground-level developments.
In anticipation of our strategic expansion within the Foods and Beverages sector, we are actively seeking a dedicated Corporate Affairs professional at an appropriate level to engage key stakeholders and influential opinion leaders effectively.
The company is broadening its portfolio to include new segments, including alcoholic beverages, which will necessitate an expansion of this position to encompass these areas.
The rapid and non-consultative pace at which regulations are implemented introduces substantial risk to our business and operational continuity. This necessitates a highly skilled professional who possesses a keen understanding of geopolitical, local political, and economic trends, and who can adeptly navigate sensitive, confidential, and high-stakes issues with confidence.
This position requires collaboration with diverse internal stakeholders, including the General Manager of the Africa Franchise, the Chief Executive Officer of MENA PAK OU (Executive Positioning), the Regional Commercial Senior Director, the Global Vice President of Corporate Affairs IB, the Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Affairs, the General Managers and Senior Directors of Franchise for key African markets, the Marketing team, Sector and Global Corporate Affairs teams, as well as the PepsiCo Foundation.
The role also requires frequent, hands-on involvement in advocacy, negotiation, and strategic advisory with an extensive and evolving network of stakeholders, including government entities at both local and federal levels, media outlets, NGOs, industry associations, agency partners, farmers, and industry peers. Additionally, it involves close collaboration and alignment with Seven Up Bottling Company, our designated bottler, as well as DP World, our food co-manufacturing partner.
As we expand our footprint across the African continent—particularly through the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area—this PO1 position will play a pivotal role in enhancing our external visibility and strengthening our communications framework. Responsibilities will include shaping and executing the communications strategy, developing messaging for both print and digital platforms, managing media relations, overseeing brand public relations, and fostering internal employee engagement and activation initiatives. Additionally, the role will require close collaboration and coordination with our bottling partners to ensure cohesive messaging and alignment across all stakeholders.
The Corporate Affairs PO1 Lead will champion pivotal Foundation initiatives and sustainability endeavors, crafting engaging narratives that resonate with the market.
This position demands significant collaboration across multiple functions to establish cohesive messaging and ensure the execution of a comprehensive Communications strategy, including cross-cutting campaigns and foundational efforts critical to business transformation initiatives as we scale our current market presence.
The CA P01 Lead position will spearhead, and champion campaigns aimed at fostering meaningful progress and strengthening corporate reputation—whether in health, nutrition, and wellness initiatives, empowering small-scale farmers, advancing renewable energy access, safeguarding the environment, or other strategic areas—each of which directly contributes to the organization’s expansion, brand perception, and financial performance.
The CA Lead PO1 position holds full accountability for the CSR agenda, prioritizing and directly overseeing community engagement initiatives in all operational regions, while also tracking broader objectives—such as agricultural impact—consistently aligned with the PepsiCo Positive framework.
Responsibilities include managing and overseeing daily operations to ensure efficient workflow, coordinating team activities to meet project deadlines, and implementing strategies to enhance productivity and performance. The role requires analyzing data to identify trends and areas for improvement, preparing comprehensive reports for stakeholders, and maintaining compliance with company policies and industry regulations. Additionally, the position involves fostering collaboration among departments, resolving operational challenges, and supporting leadership in decision-making processes. Strong communication and problem-solving skills are essential, along with the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Provides visionary direction and fosters organizational growth through innovative strategies that align with long-term objectives. Drives cross-functional collaboration to implement high-impact initiatives while ensuring sustainable performance. Establishes clear goals, allocates resources efficiently, and empowers teams to achieve measurable results. Demonstrates exceptional decision-making skills in complex environments and champions change management to adapt to evolving business landscapes. Requires a proven track record of leading transformative projects and a deep understanding of industry trends to maintain competitive advantage.
Responsible for establishing a long-term, forward-looking strategic direction for Corporate Affairs across the region, focusing on public policy, regulatory frameworks, government engagements, industry and trade partnerships, communications, and corporate social responsibility—encompassing critical decision-making and proactive implementation.
Ensure alignment with Corporate Affairs’ strategic goals and targets while mitigating risks and capitalizing on emerging opportunities.
Collaborate closely with the General Manager of Nigerian Foods and the Senior Director of Beverages, alongside other essential cross-functional stakeholders at local, regional, and global levels, to engage and persuade both internal and external partners effectively.
Ensure PepsiCo’s thought leadership, positioning, and voice are consistently reflected in all government discussions and frameworks, thereby supporting business objectives, driving commercial growth, mitigating risk, and maximizing impact across key stakeholders.
Design the strategic framework for the License to Thrive (LTT) initiative, ensuring alignment with the organization’s government engagement and lobbying efforts. Drive the development of a comprehensive plan that integrates stakeholder relations, business objectives, and corporate affairs strategies across critical focus areas, engaging with local communities and government entities from the ground level to federal authorities.
Direct the organization’s external brand positioning and communications strategy, encompassing print and social media initiatives, as well as messaging frameworks. Oversee media relations, brand public relations efforts, and internal employee engagement or activation programs. Additionally, lead joint communication initiatives and coordinate closely with bottling partners to ensure alignment and consistency across all channels.
Deliver on the PepsiCo Positive community agenda by developing and implementing a high-impact Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, with a primary emphasis on stakeholder engagement and community support initiatives in partnership with the PepsiCo Foundation. This role requires strategic decision-making, proactive action, and expert consultation to drive meaningful impact.
We are seeking a results-driven professional to ensure the successful execution of all operational deliverables. This role demands meticulous attention to detail to meet deadlines consistently while maintaining high standards of quality. You will be responsible for overseeing the completion of key projects, coordinating with cross-functional teams, and implementing efficient processes to enhance productivity. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to dynamic challenges are essential, along with a commitment to driving measurable outcomes. Proficiency in project management tools and a track record of delivering under pressure are highly valued in this position.
Formulate and establish overarching policy guidelines, strategic frameworks, and long-term objectives to guide organizational decision-making and operational effectiveness.
Guide the oversight of critical policy and regulatory matters within a rapidly evolving landscape to safeguard and advance the region’s strategic growth objectives.
To proactively identify and monitor critical policy developments across civic, social, business, and government sectors, ensuring the Company maintains a forward-looking perspective and effectively mitigates emerging regulatory risks.
Define the strategic roadmap and oversee PepsiCo’s regulatory risk landscape in partnership with International Beverages, MENA PAK OU Foods, and Global Corporate Affairs. Craft comprehensive risk mitigation strategies that not only address challenges but also identify opportunities to convert potential obstacles into competitive advantages through decisive action, collaborative consultation, and informed decision-making.
Offer expert guidance to business and leadership teams, proactively identifying regulatory risks early on and ensuring alignment among internal stakeholders to integrate these risks into strategic business plans.
Monitor and investigate ongoing and pertinent emerging public policy issues to determine the most effective ways for PepsiCo to collaborate with allied organizations and industries.
Offer strategic external perspectives on the company’s alignment with critical policy and regulatory frameworks, which influence the execution of commercial and operational strategies. Interpret and elucidate the external landscape for the organization.
Oversee a diverse portfolio of both internal and external stakeholder engagement platforms to uphold PepsiCo’s strong presence across all critical forums.
Lead the formulation and implementation of the Government Engagement strategy at local, regional, and federal levels, ensuring a proactive and collaborative approach with all key stakeholders.
Develop and oversee a stakeholder engagement monitoring framework to ensure consistent alignment with business objectives across all relevant stakeholders, accompanied by thorough documentation and diligent action tracking.
Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to integrate Corporate Affairs initiatives—encompassing LPGA, Communications, Brand PR, pep+, and Social Impact—into strategic projects, offering critical insights and fostering productive stakeholder interactions.
Lead internal and external communications, brand PR, and crisis communications.
Responsible for overseeing external communications initiatives to establish PepsiCo as the foremost international investor, ensuring consistent and impactful messaging across all channels.
Spearhead the development and implementation of an innovative 360-degree Communication strategy, integrating essential communication materials and equipping the business with the knowledge to utilize them effectively—all with a strong emphasis on PepsiCo Positive (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION).
Integrate PepsiCo’s presence in Africa into the global communications framework, utilizing worldwide resources at the local level while showcasing West Africa’s pivotal role in driving growth for both the Foods and Beverages divisions within PEP International’s decision-making processes.
Craft and champion PepsiCo’s external corporate reputation by creating engaging content that highlights social impact initiatives, strategic business investments, sustainability efforts, and brand and product offerings across the region.
To safeguard PepsiCo’s business interests, actively participate in pertinent platforms, forums, and events, ensuring decisive engagement and proactive measures are taken.
Accelerate the dissemination of PepsiCo’s pep+ initiative across the three pillars—Positive Agriculture, Positive Value Chain, and Positive Choices—by effectively communicating the company’s sustainability narrative throughout the region via diverse media channels and engaging with stakeholders and key opinion leaders.
Collaborate with critical internal and external stakeholders to drive diverse, high-impact external communications initiatives that enhance Corporate Reputation, requiring some decision-making, consultation, and execution.
To facilitate the promotion of strategic partnerships aimed at achieving PepsiCo’s international objectives and commitments, with a particular focus on initiatives related to packaging, nutrition, health and wellness, sustainable agriculture, and other ‘Better’ goals, leveraging both action-oriented strategies and consultative approaches.
Tailor global communications toolkits to align with Africa-related content and Brand PR initiatives, ensuring informed decision-making, decisive action, and collaborative consultation throughout the process.
Collaborate in the development of Annual and Strategic Plans and Budgets, providing input for the entire business scope. This includes participating in Franchise Annual Operating Plans, Organizational Unit (OU) Strategy plans, and joint business planning initiatives alongside partners. (ACTION, CONSULTATION)
Drive cross-functional collaboration by aligning internal communications initiatives, developing and executing a detailed event calendar to meet strategic objectives.
Oversee the preparation and dissemination of Sector and Global communications, ensuring all materials—including presentations and key data—as well as an external communication scorecard (tracking earned and paid media) are submitted in a timely and accurate manner.
Develop compelling communication materials for Global/Africa Corporate Affairs, including impact summaries, presentations, fact sheets, messaging guides, executive bios, and crisis management resources such as talking points and reactive statements, in collaboration with key stakeholders.
Drive and oversee event operations from inception to conclusion, ensuring seamless execution and adherence to established timelines and budgets. Coordinate logistics, vendor relationships, and staff assignments to deliver high-quality, memorable experiences. Develop event concepts, manage budgets, and negotiate contracts with suppliers and vendors. Lead teams, delegate tasks, and resolve issues promptly to maintain smooth event flow. Execute post-event evaluations to assess outcomes and identify opportunities for enhancement in future projects.
End-to-end project management of webinars, campaigns, media outreach, messaging frameworks, PR narratives, and agency-facing creative briefs, requiring strategic decision-making, proactive action, and expert consultation throughout the process.
ACCOUNTABILITY IMPACTS – CORPORATE AFFAIRS, LPGA, COMMUNICATIONS, BRAND PUBLIC RELATIONS, CUSTOMER SERVICE INNOVATION, ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY, MARKETING, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT, SUPPLY CHAIN, FRANCHISE BOTTLING OPERATIONS, COMMERCIAL STRATEGY, AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE
By driving meaningful social change, we strive to create a positive and lasting impact within our community. This role focuses on implementing programs and initiatives that address critical societal issues, fostering inclusivity, equity, and opportunity for all. The position requires a deep commitment to advocacy, strong analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders. Key responsibilities include developing and executing strategies to enhance community well-being, monitoring program outcomes, and leveraging data to inform continuous improvement. Ideal candidates will demonstrate a passion for social justice, exceptional communication abilities, and a proven track record of managing cross-functional teams to achieve measurable results.
Enhance and execute the Social Impact agenda to safeguard the beneficial effects of the company’s operations and initiatives on local communities.
Refresh the local Social Impact policy to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness, while introducing initiatives that uphold long-term operational consistency and maximize the value of community investments. This role involves strategic decision-making, hands-on execution, and collaborative consultation to achieve these objectives.
Develop and oversee a robust community stakeholder engagement monitoring framework that advances the organization’s strategic objectives among key stakeholders, prioritizing attentive listening, risk mitigation for emerging concerns, and proactive identification of opportunities as they arise. (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION, CONSULTATION)
Develop and implement critical CSR initiatives, prioritizing collaboration with the PepsiCo Foundation where feasible, to ensure impactful decision-making and execution.
Champion engagement initiatives with local associates, equipping them with essential CSR and PepsiCo Positive community development skills while empowering them to serve as advocates for the brand.
Oversee the planning, implementation, and monitoring of financial resources to ensure fiscal stability and strategic growth, including budget development, financial reporting, and risk management. Analyze financial data to identify trends, discrepancies, or opportunities for cost optimization, and prepare comprehensive financial statements in compliance with regulatory standards. Collaborate with leadership to align financial strategies with organizational objectives, ensuring transparency and accountability in all financial operations.
Spearhead the implementation of the Corporate Affairs budget at the local level.
We foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that prioritizes teamwork, innovation, and mutual respect, ensuring every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute. Effective leadership is expected to guide, motivate, and support employees, aligning individual goals with the company’s mission and driving collective success through clear communication and strategic decision-making. Strong interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to inspire and develop others are essential for cultivating a high-performing and cohesive team dynamic.
Demonstrate a dedicated approach to fostering diversity and inclusion across every facet of the organization, encompassing hiring practices and the cultivation of strategic partnerships.
We are seeking a skilled professional to oversee stakeholder engagement and cultivate meaningful partnerships. The role involves developing and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Responsibilities include identifying partnership opportunities, negotiating agreements, and managing ongoing collaborations to drive mutual value. The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to foster trust and cooperation among diverse groups.
Cultivate robust relationships with essential stakeholders and partners to foster meaningful collaboration.
Seeking a highly skilled professional with a minimum of five years of relevant experience in the field. A bachelor’s degree in a related discipline is required, along with proficiency in industry-standard software and tools. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities are essential, along with excellent written and verbal communication skills. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a proven track record of delivering results in fast-paced environments, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively. Knowledge of regulatory standards and compliance is highly desirable. Additionally, prior leadership or mentorship experience would be advantageous.
A bachelor’s degree or higher in Communications, International Relations, Law, Economics, or Business Studies—or an equivalent field—is required.
Seeking candidates with at least eight years of tenure at a multinational corporation, preferably one ranked within the Fortune 100 or 500. Demonstrated experience in emerging or developing markets is highly advantageous.
Professionals with exposure to a matrix reporting framework, where collaboration across multiple teams and supervisors is essential, are highly desirable for this position.
Capable of operating independently and effectively within dynamic, high-paced settings.
Demonstrated proficiency in organizing tasks efficiently and effectively allocating time to initiatives that deliver the highest business value, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and deadlines.
Exceptional proficiency in fostering strong interpersonal relationships stands as a fundamental requirement.
Accomplished project management abilities coupled with strong problem-solving expertise are essential for this role.
Meticulous attention to detail is essential for this role, ensuring accuracy and precision in all tasks. The ideal candidate must demonstrate strong observational skills and the ability to identify discrepancies or inconsistencies efficiently. This responsibility spans across various processes, from data verification to quality control, requiring a keen eye and methodical approach. Whether reviewing reports, analyzing information, or executing procedures, maintaining high standards of accuracy is critical to the position’s success.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
8 years
