The Strategic Communications Lead for Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) leads the overall strategic communications agenda for SSA, covering internal and external communications across all divisions and clusters. This above-country role is accountable for shaping narrative, advancing the company’s reputation, advising SSA leadership, and overseeing executive communications, stakeholder engagement, strategic projects, and crisis response.
Role Responsibilities:
Develop and implement a proactive, unified communications plan to reflect SSA’s vision, mission, and strategic priorities
Lead executive communications, including messaging, speeches, and thought leadership for SSA leadership
Map and engage key stakeholders across governments, media, partners, and institutions
Lead launch communication strategy for innovative medicines portfolio
Design and implement strategic brand and reputation campaigns across the region
Oversee internal communication programs that inspire and engage associates
Develop and implement crisis communication strategies and serve as the spokesperson for SSA
Build communication capability across SSA countries and coach local teams
Ensure full compliance with global communications policies and standards
Monitor and report on communication effectiveness, including campaign reach, engagement, sentiment, and ROI
Key Performance Indicators
Communication reach and stakeholder engagement
Improvement in brand awareness and media sentiment
Stakeholder satisfaction and strength of relationships
Employee engagement and participation in internal campaigns
Effectiveness of crisis management and reputation mitigation
ROI and impact of communication campaigns and strategic projects
Quality and consistency of executive and leadership communications
Role Requirements
Fluency in English required; proficiency in French is a plus
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field
8–10+ years in senior communications roles, preferably across Sub-Saharan Africa
Experience in executive comms, crisis management, and strategic brand building
Strong advisory and stakeholder engagement skills
Experience in the healthcare/pharmaceutical industry is a strong advantage
Skilled in cross-cultural communication and matrixed environments
Interested and Qualified Candidates Should Apply Here
Ameenah Hassan
Ameenah Hassan is a content writer with experience in public relations. She has contributed to Arbiterz since 2021, writing research-based news and features on business. She is currently pursuing a degree in Mass Communication at the University of Lagos.
