Spirit of Progress Manager - West & Central at Diageo

Diageo is still a relatively young company - we have only existed in our current form since 1997- but our brands and our business have a rich heritage. our earliest ancestor company formed in 1749, is Justerini & Brooks - wine merchants, and blenders of the famous J&B whisky range. 10 years after that, in 1759 Arthur Guinness signed the lease on the now world famous St James's Gate brewery in Dublin, going on to create a globally iconic brand.

Purpose of Role

• The Sustainability Manager is a member of the Corporate Relations Leadership Team and his/her leadership responsibilities would include:
• Being an inspiring leader within the Corporate Relations Leadership Team and in the entire business;
• Become an effective advisor on sustainability issues with the Corporate Relations Director and the Executive;
• Own performance outcomes in terms of driving high-quality sustainability programmes across Diageo;
• Drive alcohol in society issues and lead in the development and implementation of sustainable solutions;
• Build, inspire, coach and develop direct report and the sustainability cross-functional team with clear purpose, accountabilities, performance goals and trust;
• Proactively identify, drive and lead business improvement across Diageo;
• Support Diageo in being the top performing, most trusted and respected consumer goods company;
• Implement, audit and manage the stakeholder maps

Top Accountabilities

• The Sustainability Manager is responsible for the development and delivery of Diageo’s ESG ambition, Society 2030: Spirit of Progress. He/she will:
• Lead the development and execution of a strategy and campaigns to promote Diageo sustainability agenda – a) Positive Drinking; b) Inclusion and Diversity; as well as c) Pioneer Grain to Glass Sustainability
• Manage, coordinate and facilitate partnerships with relevant governmental entities, regulators, civil society and business partners in scaling up interventions against harmful effect of alcohol
• Initiate and execute internal campaign to promote Diageo alcohol policy and responsible drinking amongst Diageo employees and third party partners
• Ensure that Society 2030 strategy enhances Diageo’s ambition to be the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer goods company in South Africa

Qualifications, Experience and Skills Required

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree: Public Relations, Sustainability, Communications or related field of study

Experience

• Minimum of 4 - 5 years’ experience in managing social campaigns, sustainability programmes or in corporate relations;
• Understanding and experience in driving local transformation initiatives to build business sustainability
• Interpersonal relationship building skills and exposure to stakeholder management, e.g., customer, Government, media, and or employee engagement;
• Good industry and commercial understanding - be able to translate regulatory threats into commercial opportunities;
• Good written and verbal skills;
• Impeccable project management skills and ability to manage a big budget - highly organised;
• Ability to mobilise people and teams and exposure to influencing at senior management level;
• Experience in working at a strategic level, developing and implementing community programmes either in the corporate or voluntary (NGO) sector;
• Work independently remotely from direct supervision;

Key Skills

• Have passion for community and be drive to make a difference;
• Awareness of multicultural differences and sensitivities;
• Ability to impact and influence upwards;
• Ability to work confidently, persuasively and to stand ground, in order to earn the respect of both internal/external stakeholders.

Method of Application