Business Relationship and Communications Manager

JOB TITLE: BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Responsible to: Chief Operations Officer Department: Corporate Operations Position Type: Contract Job Code: CS- BR&C (M) - 003 JOB SUMMARY: The Business Relationship and Communications Manager is responsible for leading integrated communications, stakeholder engagement, business development, and project management initiatives aligned with organizational goals.

The role ensures consistent, professional messaging that strengthens brand positioning, stakeholder relationships, and organizational reputation. It plays a key role in identifying growth opportunities, partnerships, and collaborations, while monitoring industry trends and policy developments. The position also oversees cross-functional projects end-to-end, ensuring delivery within scope, time, budget, and quality standards.

Key responsibilities include

managing corporate communications, media relations, public awareness initiatives, digital engagement, and branding, while enhancing organizational visibility and impact. The role reports directly to the Chief Operations Officer.

Requirements

Business Relationship Management

• Serve as a key liaison between internal business units (including Payments and Innovation) and external stakeholders to foster strong, value-driven partnerships.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with government agencies, private sector entities, community stakeholders, development partners, and media organizations.
• Identify, develop, and pursue strategic partnerships, funding opportunities, and institutional collaborations that support organizational growth and sustainability.
• Monitor and analyse industry trends, regulatory and policy developments, and emerging opportunities to inform strategic decision-making and positioning.
• Collaborate with department leaders to translate business objectives into actionable initiatives, communication strategies, and technical requirements.
• Manage stakeholder expectations, resolve conflicts, and address escalated issues in a structured and professional manner.
• Identify and drive opportunities to improve business processes, enhance service delivery, and optimize value creation across functions. Corporate Communications & Public Relations
• Develop, edit, and disseminate internal and external communications across multiple channels, including press releases, executive messaging, newsletters, intranet, social media, and digital platforms.
• Design and implement integrated communication plans aligned with organizational strategy and business objectives.
• Ensure consistency in branding, messaging, and corporate identity across all communication materials, platforms, and public engagements.
• Protect and enhance the organization’s brand and reputation by monitoring media coverage, conducting market analysis, and supporting the development of the company’s value proposition.
• Develop and execute crisis communication plans to proactively manage reputational risks and ensure effective response to incidents.
• Build and maintain relationships with media, journalists, and industry stakeholders to support positive visibility and coverage.
• Act as the primary point of contact for external communications, media inquiries, and public relations activities.
• Identify and coordinate strategic speaking engagements and public appearances to enhance organizational visibility and influence.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of communications and stakeholder engagement initiatives, and implement improvements to strengthen brand positioning locally, regionally, and internationally.
• Plan and execute events and public awareness campaigns, ensuring all logistics are effectively managed and aligned with organizational objectives.
• Lead public education and outreach initiatives to promote awareness and adoption of digital payment solutions, ensuring alignment with target stakeholder groups.
• Manage and optimize digital engagement strategies, including social media and online platforms, to expand reach, engagement, and impact.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to design and deliver impactful education and engagement programmes. Project Management Oversight
• Oversee the full project lifecycle from initiation to closure, including scoping, scheduling, resource allocation, risk management, and performance monitoring to ensure delivery within scope, timeline, budget, and quality standards.
• Collaborate with business unit leaders to define project requirements, priorities, and success criteria, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and external vendors to ensure effective execution of project deliverables and accountability for assigned tasks.
• Track and monitor project milestones, KPIs, risks, and dependencies using project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Asana), and implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Develop and manage project budgets, ensuring effective cost control and adherence to approved financial guidelines.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date project documentation and systems and prepare regular status reports and presentations for senior leadership. General Management
• Contribute to annual budgeting and strategic planning processes, specifically for communications, stakeholder relations, and public education functions.
• Monitor and manage budgets, expenditures, and procurement activities in collaboration with relevant internal teams.
• Prepare and submit periodic reports to the Chief Executive Officer and other stakeholders as required.
• Manage vendor relationships and oversee the delivery of third-party services, including media, communications, and event support.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and performance management support to direct reports to ensure effective execution of responsibilities.
• Perform any other duties as assigned in support of organizational objectives. PERSON PROFILE: A strategic and results-driven professional with strong expertise in stakeholder engagement, corporate communications, business development and project management. Able to identify growth opportunities, build strategic partnerships, and align business objectives with actionable initiatives while managing multiple priorities and delivering results within scope, time, and budget. An effective relationship builder with strong influence, problem-solving, and communication skills, capable of managing complex stakeholder environments across public and private sectors. Demonstrates sound judgment, attention to detail, and a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset. Experienced in brand management, public relations, digital engagement, and reputation management, with the ability to ensure consistency in organizational messaging and image. Proven ability to lead teams, manage vendors, and drive continuous improvement. Integrity, accountability, and a commitment to delivering measurable value are essential. BEHAVIOURAL AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES: Knowledge, Behaviours, Skills & Abilities:
• Project Management Methodologies: Understanding of frameworks (e.g., Agile, Waterfall) to effectively plan, execute, and monitor projects.
• Corporate Communications, Public Relations & Brand Management: Knowledge of communication strategies, media relations, and brand management principles.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Strategic Relationship Management: Awareness of techniques to manage internal and external stakeholders effectively.
• Business Development & Partnership Building: Ability to identify, develop, and manage strategic stakeholder relationships to drive growth and collaboration. Focuses on securing partnerships and creating long-term organizational value.
• Digital Communications & Engagement Strategies: Ability to use digital platforms to design and execute effective communication initiatives. Focuses on increasing visibility, engagement, and impact through data-driven insights.
• Digital Payments & Financial Services Landscape: Familiarity with industry trends, regulatory considerations, and emerging technologies.
• Budgeting & Financial Management: Understanding of cost estimation, budget control, and financial reporting.
• Crisis Communications & Reputation Management: Knowledge of frameworks to manage reputational risks and organizational messaging during crises.
• Project Planning & Execution: Ability to manage multiple projects, track milestones, and ensure timely delivery within scope and budget.
• Communication (Written & Verbal): Strong ability to craft clear messaging and engage diverse audiences across multiple platforms.
• Stakeholder Management & Negotiation: Skilled in influencing, managing expectations, and resolving conflicts effectively.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving: Ability to assess situations, interpret data, and develop practical solutions.
• Vendor & Contract Management: Competence in managing third-party providers and ensuring service delivery meets expectations.
• Reporting & Presentation: Ability to prepare concise reports and present insights to senior leadership.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align projects and communication initiatives with organizational goals.
• Multi-Tasking & Prioritization: Capacity to manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Decision-Making: Ability to make informed, timely decisions with sound judgment.
• Adaptability: Capability to respond effectively to change and evolving business needs.
• Relationship Building: Ability to establish trust and maintain strong working relationships across all levels.
• Execution Focus: Strong ability to translate plans into actionable outcomes and deliver measurable results.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of responsibilities and delivers on commitments.
• Professionalism & Integrity: Demonstrates ethical conduct and sound judgment in all interactions.
• Collaboration: Works effectively with cross-functional teams and fosters a cooperative environment.
• Proactiveness: Anticipates challenges and takes initiative to address issues early.
• Customer/Stakeholder Focus: Prioritizes stakeholder needs and ensures high-quality service delivery.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Seeks opportunities to enhance processes, efficiency, and outcomes. Academic Qualifications and Experience: Academic Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Communications, Project Management or related field
• Masters’ Degree (MBA, Project Management, Communications, or related discipline) is preferred Professional Certifications (Preferred):
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent
• Agile / Scrum certification
• Change Management certification (e.g., Prosci or equivalent)
• Business Analysis certification (e.g., CBAP or equivalent)
• Professional Certification in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or related field would be an advantage Experience:
• Minimum of 8 years’ relevant experience in project management, communications, stakeholder engagement, business development, or a similar role, preferably within a corporate, financial services, fintech, or public sector environment
• Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional projects and initiatives from concept through execution
• Proven experience engaging and influencing senior leadership and executive stakeholders ·