General Manager, Communication & External Affairs

About the role

The General Manager, Communication & External Affairs will lead the development and execution of an integrated corporate communications strategy for a leading oil and gas company. Reporting to senior leadership, the role combines strategic counsel, stakeholder engagement, brand stewardship and crisis management to protect and enhance the company’s reputation.

Key responsibilities

• Advise senior leadership on media, reputation and stakeholder issues and develop measurable communications KPIs.
• Design and lead a stakeholder engagement framework with government ministries, regulators and policy makers.
• Own corporate brand strategy, oversee digital and social media presence, and monitor brand health.
• Lead integrated crisis communication plans, coordinate real‑time messaging and conduct post‑crisis reviews.
• Establish 24/7 media risk mitigation structures and manage relationships with PR agencies and media monitoring vendors.
• Build and develop a high‑performing communications and external relations team.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, International Relations or related field; master’s preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in the oil & gas sector, including at least 5 years as a Communications Lead in a comparable organization.
• Proven experience managing crisis communications in a complex, high‑risk environment.
• Demonstrated ability to engage senior government officials, regulators and other key stakeholders.
• Professional certification in public relations or crisis communications is an advantage.

Required skills

• Public Relations and Media Relations
• Issues & Crisis Management
• Brand & Reputation Management
• Internal & External Communications
• ESG and Sustainability Communications
• Stakeholder & Audience Management
• Content Creation, Visual Communications and Editorial