THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS (SAIPA) IS HIRING

MANAGER: STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS
Department Innovation and Business Strategy
Reporting to: Executive: Innovations & Business Strategies
Contract Permanent

Key Purpose

To lead and manage SAIPA’s engagement with key stakeholders nationally and internationally, as well as the responsiveness of the group to stakeholder needs.
To build and maintain positive relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, government agencies, and other partners.
To identify new stakeholders relevant to SAIPA business needs and would yield mutual benefit
To ensure key SAIPA staff regularly engage with relevant stakeholders within the SAIPA group’s ecosystem.

Stakeholder engagement planning and strategy development

• Develop and implement a comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan, which is aligned to the SAIPA strategy and objectives.
• Develop effective stakeholder communication strategies to ensure stakeholders are well-informed and engaged.
• Collaborate with senior management to ensure that stakeholder engagement activities are aligned with the company’s overall strategy and objectives, as well as key strategic projects.
• Identify opportunities to improve stakeholder engagement processes and implement best practices to ensure the delivery of high-quality, efficient, and effective stakeholder engagement activities.

Stakeholder engagement

Lead and manage stakeholder engagements – including identification of key stakeholders for achievement of the SAIPA strategy, as well as key strategic projects.
Engage with key stakeholders to understand their needs, expectations, and concerns, and proactively manage stakeholder feedback and issues.
Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, nationally and internationally – including members, public sector, private sector, tertiary institutions, regulators, and other partners, to ensure their ongoing support and engagement.
Actively identify possible relationships and partnerships for SAIPA’s benefit and well as for the greater good.
Ensure that key SAIPA staff engage with and build relationships with industry thought leaders, academics, and other key stakeholders to stay informed of emerging trends and new technologies and to ensure that the SAIPA group remains at the forefront of its field.
Develop content, material and articles which are aligned to the SAIPA group’s strategy and projects to attract and engage stakeholders.

Partnerships, Relationships and Understandings

Manage and track all SAIPA stakeholders, partner and relationship MOU and MOA documents – maintain records, track pending expiry and renewals, and ensure actions are taken where required.
Ensure that the SAIPA group obtains the full benefit of existing MOUs and/or MOAs.
Identify the need for new MOU and MOA to be entered into.
Manage the process when new MOUs and MOAs are being drafted, and when existing documents are being reviewed, and provide input thereto.

Reporting

Provide regular reports on stakeholder engagement activities and outcomes to senior management and stakeholders.
Provide budget reports as they relate to stakeholder engagement activities.

General

Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, standards, and best practices in project management and stakeholder relations.
Ensure collaborative relationship on all project and stakeholder relations matters.
Provide input to department planning, strategies, and projects.
Assist with budget planning and reporting.
Where required, assist with projects and other department related projects and tasks.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Qualification

Bachelor’s or Postgraduate degree in Business Administration or Communications, or a related field.

Experience
This position should be suitable for candidates that have:

A minimum of 8 years of experience in stakeholder relations, with a track record of building and maintaining positive relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
Experience within a professional body – would be an advantage.

Skills

Must possess strong communications skills

Knowledge and Abilities

Background knowledge and understanding of the principles of stakeholder identification, mapping, and engagement.
Should have an understanding of how to leverage technology to improve processes and drive business results.
Ability to use data for decision-making and understanding of digital trends relevant to their area of work.
The ability to interact with people at all levels in the organisation and in the socio-economic/business environment.

Attributes

The ability to conceptualise, interpret and understand the holistic picture in a situation and the impact of the situation on the business
The ability to maintain high ethical standards both personally and professionally; shows honesty and fairness when dealing with others; is reliable and trustworthy/ respects ethical and moral obligations
The ability to apply thinking processes to different situations and transfer the competence to new situations
The ability to act within the code of conduct and always maintain a professional image
The ability to be diplomatic and observe protocol
The ability to form sound opinions and make sensible decisions
The ability to think strategically in practical situations thereby pre-empting many operational and tactical issues.

Closing Date: 31 July 2023

To apply, please send your CV to careers@saipa.co.za

EXECUTIVE: INNOVATION & BUSINESS STRATEGIES
Department Innovation and Business Strategy
Reporting to: Chief Executive
Contract Permanent

Key Purpose

To drive innovation, conduct strategic analyses, and develop business wide strategies to navigate the dynamic PAO, education, accountancy, and business advisory landscapes.
To leverage future foresight initiatives, manage projects staff effectively, and ensure that the SAIPA group builds strong relationships with stakeholders.
To provide internal consulting and advisory services, facilitate departmental leadership and management, and play a vital role in shaping the organisation’s direction and growth.

Department Leadership and Management

Provide strategic direction and leadership for the department, working closely with senior leadership to ensure alignment with the group’s goals and objectives.
Develop and implement a comprehensive future foresight strategy, leveraging data analysis, trend analysis, and scenario planning to anticipate future trends and changes in the market, industry, or broader socio-economic environment.
Lead the development of a comprehensive projects and stakeholder relations framework and plan, including policies, procedures and documentation required for the effective functioning of the unit – including management of the implementation.
Ensure that the SAIPA group build’s and strengthens relationships with existing stakeholders and strategic partners, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s vision and values.
Lead the development and updates of impactful marketing content to effectively communicate the organization’s unique value propositions to key stakeholders.
Provide direction and oversight to the stakeholder engagement process to ensure understanding of evolving needs, meeting expectation and, fostering long-term partnerships.
Develop and manage the department’s budget, resources, and operations, ensuring that initiatives are delivered on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of stakeholders.
Foster a culture of innovation within the department and group, working closely with other departments to conceptualise new ideas, products, or services that meet the evolving needs of members and stakeholders.
Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of projects, working closely with project management staff to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of stakeholders.
Manage the link between projects and stakeholder, ensuring that their needs are understood, managed, and incorporated into project planning and execution and ensure timeous and sufficient communication thereof.
Ensure that the department is compliant with legal and regulatory requirements, and that initiatives and projects are aligned with legal and ethical standards.
Lead and develop a high-performing team of professionals, providing coaching, mentoring, and feedback to ensure that team members have the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to be successful.
Lead and manage the team, providing guidance and mentorship to ensure their professional growth and the successful delivery of all deliverables.
Provide leadership to the team to ensure that all deliverables are delivered at expected quality.
Ensure coordination between strategic projects and stakeholder relations to ensure optimum benefit for the SAIPA group.
Lead the department’s optimisation processes to ensure implementation of best practices.
Fulfil the role of key link between the unit’s staff and the management team.
Manage the departments compliance with all relevant regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.

Analysis, Foresight and Concept Development

Lead the data analysis, trend analysis, and scenario planning processes to assist the SAIPA group anticipate future trends and changes in the market, industry, and broader socio-economic environment.
Lead the processes and other units in the development of innovative ideas, products, or services that meet the evolving needs of members and the broader stakeholder group (including education and policy).
Remain abreast of emerging trends, changes, challenges, and new technologies to ensure that the SAIPA group remains at the forefront of its field.
Lead the development of conceptual frameworks and documents for new initiatives for implementation by units and departments within the SAIPA group.
Implement future foresight initiatives to anticipate potential disruptions and capitalise on emerging opportunities.

Internationalisation

Ensure that the SAIPA group initiates relationships with broad stakeholder groups internationally to develop and maintain firm partnerships and collaborative opportunities for the group (Education, Labour, and Regulators).
Lead the ideation process to diversify product and service offerings (using analysis and research, and country expertise).
Advocate for global education through liaison and negotiation with South African education bodies and regulators.
Manage the relationship with national education regulators to ensure their understanding of the SAIPA II group strategy, intentions, and operating model.

Internal Consulting and Advisory

Lead consultation processes with senior management to ensure that the deliverables of the unit are aligned with the group’s overall strategy and objectives.
Providing guidance and insight on future foresight, innovation, project-related matters, as well as matters pertaining to stakeholder engagement in relation to the overall organisational strategy.
Offer strategic insights and practical solutions to address challenges and drive continuous improvement.
Champion innovation and excellence by collaborating with internal teams to implement effective change management strategies.
Lead change management processes within the SAIPA group to manage the impact of initiatives on employees, culture, and operations, and ensure that change is implemented smoothly and effectively.
Lead organisational design and architecture projects and initiatives to ensure that the SAIPA group structure is suitable, and that each business within the group is structured in a manner that allows for effective achievement of strategic objectives.