Overview
The Corporate Affairs Lead PO1 – West Africa represents a pivotal leadership position, tasked with safeguarding and elevating PepsiCo’s operational legitimacy in a dynamic yet rapidly expanding market. Acting as both a Strategic Business Partner and a Protective Shield for the Foods and Beverages divisions, this role fosters alignment and consistency in organizational messaging by engaging with senior leadership across internal and external C-Suite stakeholders.
Key strategic priorities encompass the following essential elements:
As part of One PepsiCo’s Stewardship initiatives, professionals will engage with a diverse network of partners, including established collaborators like Seven-Up Bottling Co in Nigeria, emerging beverage ventures such as Castle Group in Angola, and rapidly growing Food operations.
This role distinguishes itself from conventional CA positions by encompassing LPGA, Communications, Brand PR, and a comprehensive Social Impact/ESG portfolio, including engagements with organizations such as Water Aid and Pepsi Stars.
Commercial Protection: Plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the company’s financial performance by proactively addressing non-consultative regulatory changes, such as the Sugar Tax and Plastic Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), while also ensuring the acquisition of essential permits.
Strategic Positioning: Transitioning PepsiCo from a traditional manufacturer to a “Partner for Growth” by championing the pep+ sustainability initiative and navigating high-impact crisis communications. This role demands exceptional expertise, especially within the Western African region, where the landscape presents diverse and recurring challenges. Proficiency in local market dynamics, deep industry insight, and multilingual capabilities are essential competencies for success.
We provide Corporate Affairs support exclusively in West Africa, with dedicated resources allocated to this region, except for one Bottler in IOC.
With a blend of established bottling collaborations, including those with the Seven Up Bottling Company (Nigeria), and emerging alliances with the Castle Group (Angola) in the beverage sector, alongside growth in the Foods division, this position plays a pivotal role in maintaining a unified “One PepsiCo” brand identity across both segments.
The CA PO1 Lead collaborates with government officials, policymakers, and external stakeholders to champion the organization’s perspectives on public policy and operational challenges. This role involves supporting legislators and policymakers in refining existing policies or drafting new ones, as well as facilitating access to necessary permits and exemptions when required.
The CA Lead PO1 will oversee all Corporate Affairs functions throughout the organization, encompassing operations, external stakeholder relations, strategic guidance, brand positioning, and the management of corporate reputation within the market.
This role encompasses diverse responsibilities, including policy and regulatory oversight and execution, management and positioning of corporate reputation, strategic advocacy, oversight and guidance on agricultural program implementation, engagement with industry associations, high-level stakeholder interactions, brand activation and media relations, as well as directing policy and positioning. Additionally, the position involves leading internal and external communications, Brand PR initiatives, and social impact strategies.
Successfully managing the intricate regulatory, cultural, and operational dynamics across Nigeria, Francophone Africa, and Lusophone Africa requires meticulous attention to detail. This complexity must be carefully factored into the evaluation of this role to ensure its effectiveness in safeguarding business interests.
The role demands the capacity to serve as a primary liaison for the organization at both internal C-Suite levels and externally with top-tier government officials, including the Prime Minister, presidential offices, and ministerial leadership.
Nigeria, Morocco, and Angola continue to serve as key markets for both the Africa Franchise (International Beverages) and Nigeria Foods (MENA PAK OU), necessitating specialized support to foster business expansion. This assistance must span Corporate Affairs, Social Impact, and Corporate Reputation initiatives.
The PO1 position currently covers six FBO markets, one COST market, and one FASO market, with potential for further expansion.
The operational environment across the regions presents significant complexity, demanding heightened adaptability. These areas exhibit remarkable linguistic, cultural, and ethnic diversity, necessitating tailored communication and engagement strategies. Additionally, the region experiences frequent and substantial political shifts, underscoring the need for vigilant on-the-ground monitoring.
As part of our strategic growth initiative within the Foods and Beverages sector, securing alignment and advocacy from pivotal stakeholders and industry influencers demands a dedicated Corporate Affairs professional at a suitable organizational level.
The company’s expansion into emerging market segments, including alcoholic beverages, necessitates an evolution of this position to encompass these new areas.
The rapid, non-consultative pace at which regulations are implemented introduces substantial risk to our business and day-to-day operations. This necessitates a highly skilled professional who possesses a keen awareness of both global and local political, economic, and geopolitical trends. Additionally, the role demands confidence in handling sensitive, confidential, and high-risk matters with precision and discretion.
This position demands collaboration with a diverse array of internal stakeholders, including the General Manager of the Africa Franchise, the CEO of MENA PAK OU (Executive Positioning), the regional Commercial Senior Director, the Global Vice President of Corporate Affairs for IB, the Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Affairs, the General Managers and Franchise Senior Directors overseeing key markets in Africa, the Marketing team, Sector and Global Corporate Affairs teams, as well as the PepsiCo Foundation.
This role requires extensive, near-daily interaction with a diverse and evolving network of stakeholders, including government entities at both local and federal levels, alongside media outlets, NGOs, industry associations, agency collaborators, farmers, and industry peers. Key responsibilities also involve strategic engagement and alignment with Seven Up Bottling Company, our designated bottler, and DP World, our partner in the Foods division, through advocacy, negotiation, and advisory functions.
As we expand our footprint across the African continent—leveraging the Africa Continental Free Trade Area—this Program Officer I role will play a pivotal part in advancing our external positioning and shaping a cohesive communications strategy. Responsibilities will include developing messaging for print and digital platforms, managing media relations, overseeing Brand PR initiatives, and fostering internal employee engagement through targeted activations. Additionally, the role will require seamless collaboration and coordination with bottling partners to ensure alignment on joint communication efforts.
The Corporate Affairs PO1 Lead will spearhead pivotal Foundation initiatives and sustainability projects, crafting engaging narratives to effectively communicate with stakeholders.
The position demands high-level collaboration across departments to craft cohesive messaging strategies and ensure the successful implementation of a comprehensive Communications plan, integrated campaigns, and foundational communications efforts that support business transformation as we scale our current market presence.
The CA P01 Lead position will spearhead impactful campaigns designed to foster meaningful progress while elevating the company’s standing. These initiatives may span health, nutrition, and wellness, empower emerging farmers, expand access to renewable energy, champion environmental preservation, or address other critical areas—all of which directly contribute to organizational growth, reputation enhancement, and sustainable bottom-line expansion.
The CA Lead PO1 position assumes full accountability for executing the CSR agenda, prioritizing and directly overseeing community-level initiatives in our operational regions, while simultaneously tracking broader objectives—such as agricultural impact—all aligned with the PepsiCo Positive framework.
Manages and oversees the planning, execution, and completion of projects from initiation to closure, ensuring adherence to budget, timeline, and quality standards. Coordinates cross-functional teams, allocates resources efficiently, and mitigates risks to achieve project objectives. Develops and maintains project documentation, including schedules, budgets, and progress reports. Facilitates communication between stakeholders to ensure alignment on goals and deliverables. Identifies and implements process improvements to enhance project efficiency and effectiveness. Ensures compliance with organizational policies, industry regulations, and best practices throughout the project lifecycle.
Provides visionary and forward-thinking leadership to drive organizational success, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and high performance. Develops and implements long-term strategies aligned with business objectives, ensuring sustainable growth and competitive advantage. Collaborates with senior management to align cross-functional initiatives, optimize resource allocation, and enhance operational efficiency. Champions transformational change initiatives, empowering teams to adapt to evolving market dynamics and emerging opportunities. Cultivates strategic partnerships and stakeholder relationships to strengthen market positioning and drive collaborative growth. Ensures rigorous performance measurement and continuous improvement through data-driven insights and KPIs.
Craft a long-term, region-specific strategic vision and roadmap for Corporate Affairs, encompassing public policy engagement, regulatory alignment, government relations, industry and trade collaborations, strategic communications, and corporate social responsibility initiatives, while ensuring decisive leadership and proactive execution.
Ensure the fulfillment of Corporate Affairs’ strategic goals and objectives while proactively mitigating risks and capitalizing on opportunities.
Collaborate closely with the General Manager for Nigerian Foods, the Senior Director of Beverages, and key internal cross-functional stakeholders—both locally and globally—to engage and influence stakeholders across both internal and external spheres, focusing on decision-making, action-oriented initiatives, and expert consultation.
Ensure PepsiCo’s thought leadership, positioning, and voice are consistently reflected in all dialogues and government frameworks, thereby supporting business objectives, driving commercial growth, mitigating risks, and maximizing overall impact.
Design the strategic framework for the License to Thrive (LTT) initiative, providing leadership in crafting a robust government engagement and lobbying strategy that aligns with the broader stakeholder relations, business, and corporate affairs objectives across identified priority areas. This role involves decisive action, collaborative consultation, and stakeholder management at all levels—from local communities to federal agencies—to ensure cohesive and effective policy implementation.
Direct the organization’s external positioning and communications strategy, encompassing media relations, messaging frameworks, and both print and social media channels. Lead the development and execution of Brand PR initiatives, media management efforts, and coordinated campaigns with bottling partners. Foster internal employee engagement through targeted activations and communications, ensuring alignment with overall messaging and business objectives.
Deliver on the PepsiCo Positive community agenda by developing and implementing a high-impact corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, with a primary emphasis on effective stakeholder engagement and community support initiatives in partnership with the PepsiCo Foundation, ensuring informed decision-making, proactive action, and collaborative consultation.
The operational deliverables encompass a comprehensive set of outcomes and tangible results essential to the successful execution of assigned responsibilities. These deliverables include the timely completion of assigned tasks, adherence to established performance metrics, and the generation of reports that accurately reflect progress and outcomes. Additionally, they involve maintaining meticulous documentation, ensuring compliance with organizational standards, and collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve project objectives. Clear communication of milestones and deliverables to stakeholders is also a critical component of these operational responsibilities.
Develop and establish overarching policy direction and strategic initiatives to guide organizational objectives and long-term growth.
Spearhead the oversight of critical policy and regulatory matters within a rapidly evolving landscape to safeguard and advance the region’s growth objectives.
Monitor critical policy matters and analyze their evolution across civic/social, business, and governmental domains to equip the Company with forward-looking insights, ensuring proactive mitigation of regulatory risks and sustained alignment with emerging compliance challenges.
Craft the strategic roadmap and oversee PepsiCo’s regulatory risk monitoring system in partnership with International Beverages, MENA PAK OU Foods, and Global Corporate Affairs leadership. Design and implement risk mitigation strategies while identifying opportunities to transform challenges into competitive advantages through decisive action and expert consultation.
Provide expert guidance to leadership and business teams to proactively identify emerging regulatory risks and ensure these considerations are integrated into strategic business initiatives through alignment with key stakeholders.
Monitor and evaluate current and emerging public policy issues to determine their relevance and potential impact on PepsiCo’s collaborations with allied organizations and industries.
Offer strategic external insights to the company regarding critical policy and regulatory issues that influence the execution of commercial and operational strategies. Analyze the external environment to provide clarity and guidance for the organization.
Oversee multiple internal and external stakeholder engagement platforms to uphold PepsiCo’s representation 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 comprehensive stakeholder engagement monitoring framework, ensuring the organization’s objectives are effectively communicated and aligned with all pertinent stakeholders, while maintaining meticulous documentation and executing follow-up actions.
Partner with cross-functional teams to align strategic initiatives with Corporate Affairs priorities, encompassing LPGA, Communications, Brand PR, pep+, and Social Impact. Facilitate high-impact stakeholder engagements while delivering critical insights to inform decision-making and drive action. Serve as a trusted consultant to ensure seamless integration of Corporate Affairs objectives into project execution.
Lead internal and external communications, overseeing brand public relations and crisis communications strategies to ensure cohesive messaging and brand integrity. Develop and implement strategic communication plans that align with organizational objectives, maintaining consistency across all channels. Manage relationships with media outlets, stakeholders, and the public, addressing inquiries and concerns with professionalism and transparency. Lead crisis response efforts, coordinating rapid, accurate dissemination of information while mitigating reputational risks. Oversee the creation of compelling content, including press releases, speeches, and social media updates, tailored to diverse audiences. Ensure brand alignment in all communications, reinforcing the organization’s mission, values, and identity. Monitor industry trends and public sentiment to proactively adjust messaging and strategies as needed. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate communication efforts with broader business initiatives.
Oversee external communications strategies to establish PepsiCo as the foremost international investor.
Revitalize the comprehensive 360-degree Communication strategy by developing essential communication materials and conducting targeted training sessions for the business, ensuring its effective utilization, with a concentrated emphasis on PepsiCo Positive (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION).
Integrate PepsiCo’s African operations, particularly in West Africa, into the global communication strategy, utilizing worldwide resources effectively while showcasing the region’s pivotal role as a key growth driver for both Foods and Beverages within PepsiCo’s international framework.
Develop and execute PepsiCo’s external corporate reputation strategy by crafting engaging content that highlights social impact initiatives, business investments, sustainability efforts, and brand/product innovations across the region.
To ensure the protection of PepsiCo’s business interests, actively engage with pertinent platforms, forums, and events, fostering strategic decision-making and decisive action.
Amplify external engagement regarding PepsiCo’s pep+ strategy by accelerating communication across its three pillars—Positive Agriculture, Positive Value Chain, and Positive Choices—while effectively conveying the company’s sustainability narrative in the region through diverse media channels and interactions with stakeholders and key opinion leaders.
Engage critical internal and external stakeholders to drive diverse, high-impact external communications initiatives that enhance corporate reputation, requiring consultation, decisive action, and strategic input.
Collaborate to effectively communicate strategic partnerships that drive PepsiCo’s global objectives and commitments, encompassing areas such as packaging, nutrition, health & wellness, sustainable agriculture, and other ‘Better’ initiatives. This involves active engagement and advisory input.
Tailor global communications toolkits to address Africa-centric content and Brand PR initiatives, exercising independent judgment, proactive measures, and strategic consultation where necessary.
Assist in the development of Annual and Strategic Plans and Budgets, providing input for the Franchise Annual Operating Plans, Organizational Unit (OU) Strategy plans, and collaborative joint business planning initiatives with external partners. (ACTION, CONSULTATION)
Facilitate alignment of internal communications strategy by collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop and maintain a structured calendar of events that drives execution and ensures seamless coordination.
Oversee the maintenance and distribution of Sector and Global communications by preparing and submitting decks, essential information, and a scorecard that tracks external communication efforts, both earned and paid.
Develop compelling communication materials for Global/Africa Corporate Affairs, including impact summaries, presentations, fact sheets, messaging guides, executive bios, and crisis management talking points or reactive statements, in collaboration with stakeholders.
We oversee and execute events with precision and enthusiasm, ensuring seamless operations from start to finish. Our responsibilities include coordinating logistics, managing vendor relationships, and delivering exceptional guest experiences. Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail are essential, along with the ability to multitask under tight deadlines. Proficiency in event planning software and tools is required, and prior experience in event management is highly preferred. We seek a proactive individual who thrives in fast-paced environments and can adapt to evolving event demands.
End-to-end planning, execution, and optimization of webinars, marketing campaigns, media outreach, messaging frameworks, PR narratives, and agency-focused creative briefs are required, with active participation in decision-making, strategic action, and collaborative consultation.
Accountability spans multiple critical functions, including Corporate Affairs, Public Policy and Government Affairs (LPGA), Communications, Brand Public Relations (PR), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSI), Environmental Sustainability, Marketing, Research & Development (R&D), Supply Chain, Franchise Bottling, Commercial Operations, and Legal.
Transforming communities through meaningful initiatives, this role drives social change by designing and executing programs that address critical societal needs. By cultivating strategic partnerships and leveraging innovative solutions, the position bridges gap in equity, access, and opportunity for underserved populations. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and community leaders, the role ensures programs are aligned with organizational goals while remaining responsive to evolving community dynamics. Through rigorous monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive learning, the position measures impact, refines strategies, and scales successful interventions to maximize reach and effectiveness.
Enhance and execute the Social Impact agenda to safeguard the beneficial effects of the company’s operations and activities on local communities.
Refresh and enhance the local Social Impact policy to ensure its continued relevance, while designing and executing initiatives that maintain long-term consistency in operations and maximize the value delivered to communities through strategic investments, guided by informed decision-making, proactive action, and collaborative consultation.
To build and sustain a robust community stakeholder engagement monitoring framework, you will champion the organization’s strategic priorities across key community stakeholders, prioritizing attentive listening and deep understanding to proactively address emerging risks while seizing available opportunities.
Plan and implement critical CSR initiatives, ideally in partnership with the PepsiCo Foundation, while ensuring alignment with shared decision-making, proactive action, and collaborative consultation.
Champion local associate engagement by delivering targeted capability-building initiatives focused on CSR and PepsiCo Positive community opportunities, empowering them to serve as influential ambassadors for the brand. (DECISION-MAKING, ACTION, CONSULTATION)
Oversee financial operations, ensuring accurate budgeting, forecasting, and reporting maintaining fiscal health and compliance with regulatory standards. Analyze financial data, identify trends, and provide strategic recommendations to optimize resource allocation and enhance profitability. Prepare and present financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports, in accordance with accounting principles and organizational policies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and implement financial policies, procedures, and controls that mitigate risks and improve operational efficiency. Monitor expenditures, assess financial performance, and advise senior leadership on cost-saving opportunities and investment strategies to support long-term growth objectives.
Oversee the implementation of the Corporate Affairs budget at the local level.
Fostering a collaborative and inclusive organizational culture while providing guidance and leadership to the team is essential.
Demonstrate a steadfast dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion across every facet of the organization, encompassing recruitment practices and strategic partnership development.
Effective stakeholder engagement and management, alongside strategic partnership-building, are essential responsibilities, requiring strong interpersonal skills, clear communication, and the ability to align diverse interests with organizational objectives. The role involves cultivating and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including internal teams, external partners, and clients, to ensure collaboration, transparency, and mutual value creation. Additionally, the position demands proficiency in negotiating agreements, resolving conflicts, and fostering long-term partnerships that support sustainable growth and innovation.
Proactively collaborate with essential stakeholders and partners to foster stronger working relationships and drive collective success.
Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree or higher in Communications, International Relations, Law, Economics, Business Studies, or a related field is required.
Professionals should possess a minimum of eight years of experience collaborating with an internationally recognized brand, preferably one listed among the Fortune 100 or 500. Prior to work experience in developing nations is highly advantageous.
Experience in a matrix reporting framework, where collaboration across multiple teams and supervisors is essential.
Thrives in independent, high-velocity work environments with minimal oversight. Demonstrates exceptional self-direction and adaptability in dynamic operational settings.
Efficiently organizes tasks and allocates time by assessing business priorities to ensure optimal productivity.
Highly developed ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders across diverse professional settings.
Delivers exceptional project execution through strong leadership and analytical abilities, adeptly navigating challenges to deliver optimal outcomes.
Meticulous attention to detail is required to ensure accuracy and precision in all tasks performed. This includes carefully reviewing information, identifying discrepancies, and maintaining high standards of quality throughout work processes. Strong analytical skills are necessary to assess data, spot inconsistencies, and implement corrective measures when needed.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
