Senior Manager - External Affairs

Short Description

Role title:  Senior Manager – External Affairs (F14)
Function: Legal, Business Integrity & External Affairs – Vodafone Shared Operations
Reports to: Head of Legal (General Counsel) & Regulatory Affairs
Location: Flexible/Hybrid

The purpose of Vodafone Shared Operations is to connect for a better future.  Our vision is to be the trusted partner of choice for Business to Telco (“B2T”) solutions globally (talent, technology and transformation).  We will prioritise customers, simplicity and growth to secure a 30% share of the B2T sector by 2030.  We will extend and grow beyond our borders, commercialise to meet and exceed existing customer demands and re-platform to simplify, streamline and scale our business.

The Senior Manager – External Affairs will own end-to-end the interlock between Vodafone Shared Operations and the Group External Affairs team.  They will play a critical role in the Vodafone Shared Operations commercialization journey.   They will be someone with a strong regulatory and government affairs background who has gravitas and a proven ability to manage relationships with senior internal stakeholders and external bodies.  They will bring to the table strong thought leadership on policy strategy, emerging regulation and public affairs and will develop an effective strategy and control environment for effective regulatory compliance, including in the area of sustainable business. 

The successful candidate will ensure that Vodafone Shared Operations takes a programmatic approach to External Affairs work in the areas listed, such that its positioning and profile aligns with Vodafone Group’s EA objectives and in turn supports business growth.  Under their leadership, as a Function we will ensure that the business takes a proactive approach to new regulation, plays an active part in strategic programmes that impact the Group and builds strong relationships with regulators as required.  They will also implement an effective strategy to promote sustainable business practices throughout the Vodafone Shared Operations business.
 

What you’ll do

Key accountabilities: 

•    Thought leadership on policy strategy and emerging regulation – own end-to-end the analysis of policy and new regulatory developments that are relevant to Vodafone Shared Operations, ensuring that the organisation has visibility of any changes in government legislation/ regulation that could materially impact its business (e.g. on data sovereignty).  The individual will influence decisions on policy strategy and regulation across the Vodafone Shared Operations footprint.  They will use strong commercial knowledge and policy awareness to positively prepare, propose and implement appropriate policy strategies to drive compliance whilst contributing to the commercial objectives of the business.
•    Public Affairs leadership – the role will be responsible for establishing and executing a Public Affairs plan, working in close collaboration with the Group’s External Affairs offices and the Vodafone Shared Operations Communications team to reinforce and leverage Group wide campaigns (e.g. on EU funding).  The successful candidate will demonstrate strategic influence over internal and external stakeholders, utilising data analysis and effective storytelling to position key messages tailored to the target audience.  
•    Stakeholder Management and Communication – the individual will act as key liaison between our Function and other business units (e.g. the wider Shared Operations organisation and Vodafone Group) to ensure the delivery of relevant EA programmes and advise on the development of new products and services in the Service Towers, enabling a joined-up approach across Vodafone in support of business growth. They will play a key leadership and influencing role in external relationships with regulators, vendors, consultants and other third-party service providers. 
•    Regulatory policy controls – the role will advise Compliance, ERM and relevant business teams to ensure that regulatory policies are developed and implemented for the organisation and that they adequately cover its growing portfolio of products and services.  
•    Sustainable business – the individual will be responsible for developing and implementing an effective strategy to promote sustainable business practices throughout the Vodafone Shared Operations business, integrating sustainability into core business functions and improving environmental performance.   

Who you are

Core competencies, knowledge and experience:

•    Strategic Thinking: a strategic thinker with an ability to lead the implementation of a strategic plan to set Vodafone Shared Operations up for success and apply knowledge of the external environment to identify and act on opportunities for growth and improvement.
•    Leadership: proven experience in leading cross-functional teams and complex projects, developing effective programmes and driving change in a matrix environment.  Builds effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.  Clear ability to grow and effectively lead a high performing team.
•    Governance and Policy Compliance:  able to apply and operate governance and organisational standards, policy and processes.  Ensures compliance with legal and corporate governance in relevant areas.  Coordinates corporate policy with internal and external parties.  
•    Communications skills: demonstrates strong communications skills to influence, negotiate and work closely with other relevant policy/ regulatory/ compliance teams and influence senior leaders across the company on relevant programmes.
•    Analytical skills:  Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at senior level.  Uses evaluative judgement based on factual or qualitative information to deliver on policy areas.  Can understand and interpret the impact of external factors on Vodafone Shared Operations.
•    International institutions/ relations - understands the workings of governmental bodies and the levers of international law/sanctions/trade/foreign investor protection, to assist with pro-active external strategy and campaigns (e.g. securing EU funding).

Must have technical / professional qualifications: 

•    Bachelors degree in a business related area or in law.  Relevant postgraduate qualifications a plus.
•    Strong Policy, Public Affairs and/or Regulatory background with proven ability to successfully deliver on a range of External Affairs related projects and programmes.
•    Strong experience in ESG including KPI setting and understanding the main metrics
•    Professional level fluency in written and spoken English.
 

Not a perfect fit?

Worried that you don’t meet all the desired criteria exactly? At Vodafone we are passionate about Inclusion for All and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, whatever their personal or professional background. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align exactly with every part of the job description, we encourage you to apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or another role, and our recruitment team can help you see how your skills fit in.

What's in it for you

We want you to feel happy and fulfilled at work, without compromising the other things in life that matter to you. There are lots of ways we support this, including hybrid working and generous parental leave. You'll also get four Spirit Days a year to focus on your personal development and wellbeing, plus a host of other great benefits too.

Who we are

You may have already heard of Vodafone - We're a leading Telecommunications company in Europe and Africa. But what you might not know is that we are continuously investing in new technologies to improve the lives of millions of customers, businesses and people around the world, creating a better future for everyone.

As part of our global family, whether that's Vodafone, Vodacom or _VOIS, you'll feel a sense of pride and purpose as you contribute to our culture of innovation. We pursue equality of opportunity and inclusion for all candidates through our employment policies and practices. We recognise and celebrate the importance of diversity and inclusivity in our workspace and we do not tolerate any form of discrimination especially related to but not limited to race, colour, age, veteran status, gender identification, sexual orientation, pregnancy, ethnicity, disability, religion, political affiliation, trade union membership, nationality, indigenous status, medical condition, HIV status, social origin, cultural background, social, or marital status.

Together we can.