Corporate Relations Advisor

The world is changing fast and Shell is changing, too – not only to keep up with the external pace, but also to anticipate and shape a different future. The Corporate Relations (CR) function will deliver value by supporting Shell’s Powering Progress strategy. CR are custodians of Shell’s reputation with existing stakeholders, continue to support conventional businesses and manage complex societal issues unique to the region while improving policy and advocacy outcomes. We will bring the outside in and secure and drive Shell’s reputation and values. Drawing on a strong base of professional excellence, we aspire to be best-in-class at achieving integrated outcomes through effective engagement and communication with external and internal stakeholders. 

This role will have a cross-regional remit, touching on themes of Internal and Corporate Communications, Social Performance, Ethics & Compliance and other themes that may arise in future. This role requires significant integration and business partnering skills, deep collaboration, awareness of the regional context and issues.  The accountabilities will develop as the regional landscape evolves, internally and externally. 

Where you fit in: 
This role sits at the heart of the regional MENA & CIS CR team which is tasked with helping to shape the way Shell engages with Shell staff and the public sphere in the region. The Corporate Communications Advisor works closely with country CR advisors, central and regional CR teams, country business teams and will report to the Regional Senior Advisor, Corporate Relations MENA. 

What is the role: 
•    Lead Corporate Relations (CR) for Shell Kuwait to support Shell’s current business and growth projects in Kuwait. Manage NTR integration and Stakeholder Relations, including respective plans, for Shell’s current business, growth projects and retained business.
•    Lead corporate and internal communications for Kuwait
•    Lead CR team activities across social performance and ethics and compliance as they relate to CR activities. 
•    Collaborate on and be a sounding board for the delivery of Country Chair engagements and other corporate events, working with others as appropriate.
•    Drive quality reputation management through the function (in line with the Shell Reputation Standard).
•    Lead close collaboration with the VP Kuwait, HR Manager, CR regional teams, Social Performance and COEs and team to ensure seamless coordination of CR in support of Shell Kuwait business.
•   Clearly define and consistently apply a strong narrative for Shell in Kuwait.
•  Design and execute an annual communication strategy and plan which integrates action in the areas of issues and risk management, external communication, marketing communication, digital communication.
•    Support crisis management as alternate Crisis Communications Lead.

What we need from you: 
•    A strategic, creative and collaborative communications professional with strong experience and an active self-starter who is quick to learn and able to manage multiple priorities.
•    A corporate communications all-rounder; someone who can adapt to the many needs placed by a diverse group of stakeholders.
•    Ability to develop strong, trusted relationships with colleagues across Shell in both business and country roles is crucial for the success of this role and feeling comfortable offering advice at senior levels.
•    Excellence in writing alongside curiosity to identify opportunities for improvement / optimisation and willingness to implement improvement.
•    A learner mindset: being a role model in your levels of curiosity and reflection and encouraging people to learn from their mistakes and successes.
•    Awareness of the regional context in which Shell operates in MENA & CIS.


Experience & Qualification

• Kuwaiti Nationals
• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations/Communications/Business Administration with significant work experience in corporate relations/communication/ positions
• Experience in the oil and gas industry is an advantage.
• An MBA is an advantage.
• Minimum 5-10 years of experience
• Preference will be given with those who have an understanding of the Upstream oil & gas business, its value drivers and; strong business acumen.
• Fluent in Arabic & English.
• Proficient consultancy and client engagement/ influencing skills with consultancy / 3rd party experience is an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to translate Shell’s commercial requirements/interests into clear messages and recommendations.
• Developing an effective working relationship with KPC and its affiliates
• Ability to quickly identify business threats and opportunities
• Managing the discipline interfaces between Shell, KPC and KOC to facilitate alignment of interfaces.
• Promoting a fit-for-purpose, structured approach to integrated corporate relations work.
• Excellent stakeholder management, interpersonal, communication and analytical skills .
• Strong external and commercial focus.
• Excellent stakeholder management, interpersonal and organizational skills;. - able to work with diverse teams and influence people at all levels/disciplines to achieve tasks at a high standard and within the time limits.
• Demonstrated integrator, able to foster effective working relationships among virtual teams. Within the Kuwait context strong stakeholder management skills are essential.
• Consistently demonstrates a commercial mindset, brings a track record of identifying & delivering value improvement opportunities, and drives a focus on bottom line results across the community.
• Good analytic business skills, sense of reality, and complex problem-solving skills to identify and frame problems & opportunities in a systemic manner.