About the job

About us

We’re Hyve. If you haven’t heard of us, here’s a quick summary of what we do, who we are and what makes us tick.

Our events create game-changing impact. That might mean securing investment that takes a struggling business stratospheric. It could be landing a deal that puts products on the shelves of a giant retailer. Or it might be a once in a lifetime opportunity to hear from the brightest minds in major industries, from ecommerce to energy, fashion to fintech.

At the same time, we’re using our events as platforms for progress, to drive the conversation across the world’s biggest industries on crucial topics like sustainability, diversity and ethical business.

These moments can change lives. And making those connections motivates us every single day.

How about you?

First of all, whatever your background and whatever your beliefs, there’s a culture of belonging here at Hyve – and everyone is welcome. The question isn’t where you are from – it’s where you want to go.

The world moves fast and the future can be unpredictable. For some people that’s scary and it’s safer to keep doing things the way they’ve always been done. For others, that’s when things start getting exciting. Because it’s an opportunity to do things differently – to do things even better.

Does that sound like you? Then read on.

About the Global Natural Resources Portfolio

Through our market leading events - Investing in Mining Indaba, Africa Oil Week, Green Energy Africa - we are playing a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of Africa. Working with our communities from around the world, we create and facilitate game-changing business opportunities which inspire industries to develop and deliver a more sustainable world for us all.

Key Responsibilities

The VP Government Relations is a high-profile role within Hyve’s Global Natural Resources

(GNR) portfolio, responsible for shaping the future of GNR’s government strategy. You will

be a forward-thinking senior industry leader able to leverage your extensive network of

government and senior industry stakeholder relationships to support the GNR’s vision and

the senior leadership team to maximise the growth of all GNR portfolio events.

Key responsibilities include:

• Work with the GNR portfolio’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to develop and execute the portfolio’s Government Relations strategy.
• Work with the Government Relations Team to invite and secure attendance of Minsters and Senior Government Officials from target African countries at GNR events.
• Advise the GNR portfolio SLT and wider team on relevant protocol that should be followed when engaging with governments and senior political stakeholders, from point of invitation to onsite attendance.
• Participate, alongside Commercial and Marketing Teams, in GNR Africa Roadshow Programmes, which will include in-country visits, primarily meetings with senior stakeholders as part of your advocacy to secure support and attendance of target countries at our events.
• Liaise with the GNR Commercial Teams to ensure that the Government Relations strategy supports the commercial goals of each event and when required support Sales Directors with introductions to relevant government officials to deliver on government-led commercial partnerships.
• Provide internal briefings, presentations and intelligence sharing with the GNR SLT and when requested to Hyve’s senior leadership team on the South African and wider African political landscape and government relations issues to inform business decisions.
• Engage with industry bodies, public policy think-tanks, embassies and other organisations that will support the GNR portfolio to deliver its government strategy and engage target African governments.
• Build and cultivate relationships with political stakeholders within South Africa and pan-African governments in a strategic and thoughtful way on behalf of the GNR portfolio. Proactively manage these relationships to ensure the continued success of our Government Leaders Programmes at GNR portfolio events.
• Lead on delivery of Government Relations programmes onsite at GNR portfolio events, including managing Head of State attendance at Mining Indaba alongside our Head of Operations and senior government officials at AOW/GEAS.
• This role will involve extensive travel within South Africa and throughout the Africa Continent.

Skills and Experience

• Experience in a similar Government Relations and/or Communications role or Commercial role with extensive experience in African continent.
• A strong understanding in government affairs and policy in South Africa, with proven experience in the area of mineral resources and energy.
• Experience working directly with South African government officials and departments at ministerial and executive level.
• A strong understanding of the broader African political environment and experience of working with other governments in Africa.
• Have an established network of key government stakeholders within South Africa and in other countries across the African continent. Have the ability to expand, as well as leverage and strengthen, these pre-existing relationships.
• Proven relationship building skills striking the balance between relationship and commercial objectives and corporate strategy.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including written and verbal, with a track record in leading government engagement activities.
• Experience of speaking publicly before senior government and high-profile stakeholder groups.
• A track record of excellent internal and external stakeholder management at all levels.
• Proven capability to work across different cultures and an awareness of the political environment in which our events operate.

Key Competencies Required

• Enthusiastic with high personal motivation
• First-rate organisational and strong planning skills
• Excellent management of internal and external relationships
• Strong interpersonal and excellent communication skills
• Strong commercial acumen
• A natural networker
• Flexible and pragmatic with a hands-on attitude
• High integrity – demonstrating, trust, openness and a determination to succeed
• A strong strategic and analytical mindset