Director SAP Government Relations at SAP Nigeria

SAP - As the world's leading provider of business software*, SAP delivers products and services which help accelerate business innovation for its customers. We believe that doing so will unleash growth and create significant new value – for our customers, SAP, and ultimately, entire industries and the economy at large - making the world a better place for people everywhere. Today, more than 82,000 customers in more than 120 countries run SAP applications - from distinct solutions addressing the needs of small businesses and midsize companies to suite offerings for global organizations

SAP defines business software as comprising enterprise resource planning, business intelligence and related applications such as supply chain management, customer relationship management, product life-cycle management, and supplier relationship management.

SAP is recruiting to fill the position of:

Title: Director SAP Government Relations Nigeria

Ref No: NG-58248103-EN-14-004
Location: Nigeria

Company Description
SAP is the global market leader for business software and thus contributes a considerable part of the world's economic power grid. At SAP you get your chance to put your ideas into action with maximum impact.

• Lead GR program development and strategy in alignment with MU
• Prepare and execute annual GR plans for Nigeria
• Build trusted relationships with key political decision-makers in the Nigeria
• Educate political decision-makers and influencers about SAP, enhance brand recognition and position SAP as a good corporate citizen in the Nigeria
• Advice local management on political risks and opportunities
• Build a political contact network in the Nigeria for SAP executives; provide training of local management on political issues
• Represent SAP in industry trade associations and political platforms
• Steer external lobbyists and GR agencies.

Expectations and Tasks
Address Public Policy Risks:

• Monitor/analyze public policy initiatives that could hamper SAP's operations in Nigeria; focus issues: cloud computing, data protection, cyber security, taxation of the digital economy
• Develop lobbying strategies to mitigate those public policy risks
• Prepare SAP positions on public policy issues and communicate them to political decision-makers and influencers
• Build alliances with like-minded companies and stakeholders in support of SAP positions Provide business support
• Work with local management and sales team on business development strategy for key ministries and agencies in Nigeria
• Provide strategic advice to the business on how to position SAP solutions and enhance SAP value propositions to the government
• Position SAP in the political pre-tendering phase of public procurement
• Monitor/analyze government policies and programs that could create business opportunities for SAP
• Conduct mapping of key decision-makers and influencers in public procurement and develop strategies on how to develop relations with them
• Develop SAP briefings and messages to position SAP
• Position SAP positions by using suitable channels (1:1 meetings, public events, via academic institutes, think tanks, trade associations, etc.) Drive thought leadership and SAP brand recognition
• Develop overall strategy and campaign on how to raise awareness of SAP among policy-makers
• Develop a thought GR leadership strategy for SAP in Nigeria; ie. how SAP can help to address societal and economic challenges in Nigeria
• Educate the government about SAP investments and operations in Nigeria
• Represent SAP at relevant political events and conferences
• Organize SAP events with political decision-makers.
• Leverage existing global SAP programs (CSR, University Alliance, etc.).

Qualifications and Experience
The successful candidate should have at least 10 years of experience as a government relations executive in the industry. Previous experiences and qualifications should include:

• Experiences and relationship building skills with political decision-makers and influencers
• Good knowledge of the IT industry and ability to quickly grasp technology issues
• Thorough understanding of public procurement processes
• Experience in appropriately advising senior-level corporate executives
• Understanding of international political issues and how a company can successfully face global challenges
• Experience in operating in a global public company environment, with the ability to effectively manage public scrutiny, crisis communications and media attention.

Skills and Requirements

• Strong communication skills.
• Good analytical thinking.
• A keen sense of protocol and common practices in engagement with governments.
• Clear reputation of ethical conduct.
• Acute political sensitivity.
• Reputation of being hands-on, hard-working and energetic.
• Capability to be pro-active, able to develop new ideas and to offer opinions and judgments
• Ability to build relationships across the political spectrum.
• Ability to work in global teams.
• An undergraduate degree is required.
• An advanced or Master Degree is highly desirable.

Application Closing Date
Not Stated.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online