Executive Corporate Affairs at South African Airways(SAA) Kempton Park, Gauteng

Executive Corporate Affairs | Kempton Park, Gauteng
Closing Date: 17 Oct 2025
Reference Number: SAA251010-1
Division: CEO Office | Business Unit: Corporate Affairs
Job Type: Permanent

About the Role

The Executive Corporate Affairs role is central to protecting and enhancing SAA’s brand and reputation globally. This position oversees Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Sustainability, Communications, Government Relations, and Stakeholder Management, while developing strategies and policies aligned with regulations and the corporate plan. You will anticipate challenges and advance opportunities by collaborating with key stakeholders, including government officials, regulators, and commercial partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee Corporate Affairs strategies, including CSR, communications, and stakeholder management.
• Act as a company spokesperson, managing media responses and correspondence.
• Lead the implementation of internal and external communication plans.
• Develop and review communication materials for press, social media, and internal platforms.
• Develop and execute crisis communication strategies when required.
• Manage PR/communications agencies to ensure cost-effective, high-impact exposure.
• Build and maintain relationships with government, regulators, and industry stakeholders.
• Ensure consistent messaging across channels, geographies, and stakeholder groups.
• Lead and align change management initiatives with the Airline’s strategic vision.
• Prepare reports, issue papers, and responses for parliamentary or regulatory inquiries.
• Evaluate and benchmark Corporate Affairs services, providing insights on risks and emerging opportunities.
• Collaborate with commercial teams, airports, tourism boards, and partners on joint initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, or related field (NQF Level 7).
• 10–15 years’ experience in Corporate Affairs, with at least 3 years in a management role.
• Experience in corporate communication, media relations, CSR, and reputation management.
• Experience reporting to executives, boards, shareholders, or government stakeholders.
• Exposure to media spokesperson duties and corporate PR programs is an advantage.

Skills & Knowledge

• Stakeholder engagement, public policy, and regulatory knowledge.
• Digital communication and social media management.
• Understanding of organisational behaviour and the airline/travel industry.
• Crisis management, reputation management, and communication under pressure.
• Strong presentation, negotiation, analytical, and organisational skills.
• Knowledge of CSR frameworks and desktop publishing software is a plus.

Attributes

• Leads with purpose and drives innovation.
• Ethical, professional, and results-oriented.
• Resilient under pressure and adaptable to change.
• Influential with strong team leadership and people management capabilities.
• Ability to translate vision into actionable strategies.

Additional Information

Applicants must complete an online registration profile capturing personal and career information.

• Ensure all mandatory fields are completed; incomplete profiles may lead to disqualification.
• CVs are for verification and record-keeping only.
• This applies to both internal and external applicants.