Head of Government Relations, UAE Job

Date: Oct 7, 2015

Location: Dubai, DU, AE

Requisition ID: 86486
Work Area: Communication Consulting
Expected Travel: 0 - 10%
Career Status: Professional
Employment Type: Regular Full Time

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

As market leader in enterprise application software, SAP helps companies of all sizes and industries innovate through simplification. From the back office to the boardroom, warehouse to storefront, on premise to cloud, desktop to mobile device – SAP empowers people and organizations to work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively to stay ahead of the competition. SAP applications and services enable customers to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and grow sustainably.

ROLE DESCRIPTION:
SAP's Global Communications (GC) unit is charged with protecting and enhancing the reputation of SAP among internal and external audiences. To that end, GC strives to position SAP as the world’s leading business software solution provider, recognized thought leader, responsible corporate citizen, as well as employer, business partner, vendor, and investment of choice. In addition the communications function supports sales of SAP software solutions and products, informs employees about strategy, performance and execution and drives employee engagement. The SAP GR Director UAE will have a direct reporting line into Frederic Masse, VP GR EMEA and a dotted line to the SAP MD MENA.

EXPECTATIONS AND TASKS:

• Lead GR program development and strategy in alignment with MU;
• Prepare and execute annual GR plans for MENA;
• Build trusted relationships with key political decision-makers in MENA;
• Educate political decision-makers and influencers about SAP, enhance brand recognition and position SAP as a good corporate citizen in MENA;
• Advice local management on political risks and opportunities;
• Build a political contact network in MENA for SAP executives; provide training of local management on political issues;
• Represent SAP in industry trade associations and political platforms;
• Steer external lobbyists and GR agencies. Address Public Policy Risks
• Monitor/analyze public policy initiatives that could hamper SAP’s operations in MENA; focus issues: cloud computing, data protection, cyber security, taxation of the digital economy;
• Develop lobbying strategies to mitigate those public policy risks;
• Prepare SAP positions on public policy issues and communicate them to political decision-makers and influencers;
• Build alliances with like-minded companies and stakeholders in support of SAP positions; Provide business support
• Work with local management and sales team on business development strategy for key ministries and agencies in MENA;
• Provide strategic advice to the business on how to position SAP solutions and enhance SAP value propositions to the government;
• Position SAP in the political pre-tendering phase of public procurement:
• Monitor/analyze government policies and programs that could create business opportunities for SAP;
• Conduct mapping of key decision-makers and influencers in public procurement and develop strategies on how to develop relations with them;
• Develop SAP briefings and messages to position SAP
• PositIon SAP positions by using suitable channels (1:1 meetings, public events, via academic institutes, think tanks, trade associations, etc.)
• Drive thought leadership and SAP brand recognition

• Develop overall strategy and campaign on how to raise awareness of SAP among policy-makers;
• Develop a thought GR leadership strategy for SAP in MENA; ie. how SAP can help to address societal and economic challenges in MENA;
• Educate the government about SAP investments and operations in MENA;
• Represent SAP at relevant political events and conferences;
• Organize SAP events with political decision-makers;
• Leverage existing global SAP programs (CSR, University Alliance, etc.)
• Develop SAP network among MENA funding organizations.

WORK EXPERIENCE:
The successful candidate should have at least 10 years of experience as a government relations executive in the industry. Previous experiences and qualifications should include:

• Experiences and relationship building skills with political decision-makers and influencers;
• Good knowledge of the IT industry and ability to quickly grasp technology issues;
• Thorough understanding of public procurement processes;
• Experience in appropriately advising senior-level corporate executives;
• Understanding of international political issues and how a company can successfully face global challenges;
• Experience in operating in a global public company environment, with the ability to effectively manage public scrutiny, crisis communications and media attention.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATION / SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

• An undergraduate degree is required. An advanced or Master Degree is highly desirable.
• Strong communication skills;
• Good analytical thinking;
• A keen sense of protocol and common practices in engagement with governments;
• Clear reputation of ethical conduct;
• Acute political sensitivity;
• Reputation of being hands-on, hard-working and energetic;
• Capability to be pro-active, able to develop new ideas and to offer opinions and judgments;
• Ability to build relationships across the political spectrum
• Ability to work in global teams
• Fluent in English

SAP'S DIVERSITY COMMITMENT

To harness the power of innovation, SAP invests in the development of its diverse employees. We aspire to leverage the qualities and appreciate the unique competencies that each person brings to the company.

SAP is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with SAP and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please send an e-mail with your request to Recruiting Operations team (Americas: Careers.NorthAmerica@sap.com or Careers.LatinAmerica@sap.com, APJ: Careers.APJ@sap.com, EMEA: careers@sap.com). Requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Additional Locations: No Selection

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