Group Specialist: Stakeholder Relations and Public Affairs

Job Classification

146198

Job Post End Date: 15 June 2025

Job Family

Marketing, Communication and Research

Career Stream

Public Affairs

Leadership Pipeline

Manage Self: Expert (MSE)

Job Purpose

To support and advance the strategic objectives and reputation of Nedbank through proactive public affairs, stakeholder engagement, policy analysis and thought leadership initiatives that strengthen relationships with internal and external stakeholders including government, business, civil society, and other key stakeholders. 
The role contributes to strengthening stakeholder trust and confidence, securing actionable insights, enabling business priorities through strategic engagement and protecting the organisation’s reputation in a complex and evolving socioeconomic environment. It also plays an important role in positioning Nedbank as a leading voice on issues affecting banks and the broader African business environment. 

The incumbent will proactively manage strategic and high-value relationships within and outside Nedbank to position the organisation as a trusted corporate citizen as well as a preferred partner and thought leader. Furthermore, they will help to identify emerging policy, political and reputational risks and support constructive dialogue that aligns commercial priorities and organisational purpose with societal impact. 

Job Responsibilities

Build stakeholder trust and advocacy:

• Implement an integrated public affairs and stakeholder engagement strategy aligned to Nedbank’s purpose and strategic priorities.


• Position Nedbank as a credible partner of choice among government and civil society stakeholders.


• Build and maintain productive relationships with strategic stakeholders internally and externally, including government officials, members of parliament and civil society members to strengthen resilience and business continuity.


• Influence senior internal and external stakeholders with credibility and diplomacy


• Identify, map and stakeholders to understand their needs, concerns and identify purpose-driven opportunities to collaborate and build alliances.


• Deliver impactful and strategic engagements to advance Nedbank's organisational ambitions.
  Provide strategic counsel to senior leaders in relation to stakeholder engagement.

Enable business:

• Partner with business units to identify public affairs opportunities and risks that may advance or hinder strategic objectives.


• Identify key and strategic opportunities for collaboration between Nedbank and external stakeholders to contribute to commercial success and societal impact.


• Manage and co-ordinate special events such as conferences/seminars; dialogues and thought leadership seminars.


• Participate in key forums to support executive positioning and achieve Nedbank’s strategic intent.

Position Nedbank as a credible thought leader:

• Drive executive stakeholder platforms, dialogues, roundtables and thought leadership engagements that elevate Nedbank’s influence, credibility, and industry positioning.


• Ensure alignment between corporate messaging, stakeholder expectations, and organisational values.

Strengthen reputation and mitigate risks:

• Monitor the political, regulatory, economic and societal environments to identify emerging reputational and stakeholder risks


• Monitor public perceptions of Nedbank by proactively identifying, analysing, and addressing potential issues that could harm the bank's reputation or business interests.


• Regularly collect insights and perspectives of stakeholders to enable the Group to consider their inputs and concerns in decision-making.


• Promote stakeholder communications by developing messaging and communicating organisational positions to key stakeholders.


• Predict; inform and analyse policy developments to reduce reputational and stakeholder risk exposure

Shape public policy development and improve understanding of government decisions:

• Lead advocacy initiatives that support responsible public policy outcomes and strengthen Nedbank’s societal contribution


• Analyse and interpret public policy and political developments to support decision making within the Bank.


• Manage issues/crises relating to public policy

  Monitor, evaluate, measure and report

• Uphold robust stakeholder governance in engaging with stakeholders


• Monitor outcomes and impact of stakeholder engagement to assess relationship building efforts


• Report impact of stakeholder engagement in appropriate platforms to build understanding of stakeholder concerns, needs and expectations

People Specification

Essential Qualifications - NQF Level

Qualifications, Experience and Attributes

• Post-graduate qualification – ideally a master’s degree – in Political Studies, Public Policy, International Relations, Economics or Business Administration,


• Demonstrable experience in public affairs, government relations, strategic communications, policy and/or stakeholder engagement


• A strategic connector between the bank, society, policymakers and other key stakeholders


• Financial services or highly regulated industry experience highly advantageous

Technical / Professional Knowledge

Behavioural Competencies