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:

Job Title: Director SAP Government Relations

Location: Nigeria
Ref-Code: NG-59069339-EN-14-002

Job 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.)

Work 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

Education and Qualification / Skills and Competencies

• 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