Spirit of Progress Manager - West & Central

Job Description :

Job Title: Spirit of Progress Manager - West & Central

Diageo is a global organisation with over 28,000 talented people and a presence in 180 countries. Across our 21 markets, our brand portfolio represents our biggest strength, and our biggest passion.  Be it our global giants, local stars, or premium brands, we use our vision, creativity, and courage to drive the growth of our products worldwide.  We invent strong brands for today and for the future, upholding the quality of our products and taking personal accountability for both the history and for the future of our brands. 

Africa businesses account for over 10% of Global Diageo revenue, with a workforce of more than 6,000 employees. We create wealth both directly through our operations and indirectly through our broader value chains where we support development and growth in partnership with businesses and communities.

We are committed to delivering sustainable performance and our vision is to be destination of choice for Diageo investment. We are building a track record of attracting, retaining, developing, and exporting best-in-class diverse talent for Diageo and unleash people to deliver great performance.  We are a force for good in communities and care about the planet with focus on water, farming, and education among others, which are the most critical components for our communities.

Today, Africa is a predominantly beer region and we will continue to growth beer fast. We also recognise an even greater opportunity in spirits and recently reorganised our business to put focus on transforming and accelerating spirits to double its current revenue through the SWC organisation.

The long-term sustainability of our business is very important in the achievement of our business ambition of being the top performing, most trusted and respected consumer goods company.  Responding to the issues that matter, ‘Society 2030: Spirit of Progress’ addresses the most material issues facing our company, people, brands, suppliers and communities. It has three priorities at its heart: to promote positive drinking, champion inclusion and diversity and pioneer grain-to-glass sustainability. Doing business the right way underpins everything we do.

Society 2030: Spirit of Progress is Diageo's 10 year action plan to help create a more inclusive and sustainable world. Building on the legacy of our founders to create a positive impact in our company, with our communities and for society. It is how we will continue to celebrate life, every day, everywhere.

• Plan, manage and be held responsible for budget across various Sustainability initiatives
• Negotiates costs of third party suppliers of goods and services as may be necessary
• Monitor and advise Diageo GM on budget activities for employee engagement

Southern, West and Central Africa (SWC) covers more than 14 countries across Southern, Central and West Africa. It has statutory presence in 7 countries including two listed companies (Ghana and Seychelles) and one JV (Angola) and oversees manufacturing in four countries. It also manages partnerships to manufacture and distribute the Diageo portfolio across around 35 countries in Sub Saharan Africa. It manages a full TBA portfolio: beer, RTD’s (Ready-To-Drinks), local spirits, international spirits and top end luxury spirits.

The countries’ economies vary significantly and present different levels of opportunity and challenge for business growth as well as language diversity. There is a high level of volatility across the countries and fierce competition within the beer and spirits portfolio given Africa has the largest vibrant and growing LPA -34 consumer base.

In Diageo Africa context, the margin profile is attractive, with a higher focus on spirits and outsourcing of beer manufacturing. Our extensive and exciting brand portfolio serves consumers across diverse demographics and delivers against consumers’ in-culture premiumisation experiences.

Our extensive and exciting brand portfolio serves consumers across diverse demographics and occasions and delivers against consumers’ in-culture premiumisation experiences. It is also well positioned to tap into future trends.

Distributor and creative partnerships are critical for driving growth for this remit as well as strategic choices to be made on portfolio, production, logistics and route to market.

Given its scale and margin profile, SAPM is critical for the success of Diageo in Africa.  and there is also significant scope of business expansion – new territories, new categories and new routes to market.

Communication and Sustainability Manager is a member of the Corporate Relations Leadership Team and his/her leadership responsibilities would include:

• Own performance outcomes in terms of driving high-quality sustainability programmes across Diageo;
• Drive alcohol in society issues and lead in the development and implementation of sustainable solutions;
• Build and inspire sustainability cross-functional team with clear purpose, accountabilities, performance goals and trust;

Communication and Sustainability Manager is responsible for the development and delivery of Diageo’s ESG ambition, Society 2030: Spirit of Progress. He/she will:

• Lead the development and execution of a strategy and campaigns to promote Diageo sustainability agenda – a) Positive Drinking; b) Inclusion and Diversity; as well as c) Pioneer Grain to Glass Sustainability
• Manage, coordinate and facilitate partnerships with relevant governmental entities, regulators, civil society and business partners in scaling up interventions against harmful effect of alcohol
• own business performance outcomes by driving employee engagement and communication of business strategy across the business;
• lead, inspire and coach business leaders to communicate with clear purpose, accountabilities, performance goals and trust;
• support cross-functional initiatives requiring internal engagement and/or external communications; and
• manage and account for all resources (financial and otherwise) assigned and allocated to the execution of all communication activities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree: Public Relations, Sustainability, Communications or related field of study

Experience

• Minimum of 4 - 5 years’ experience in managing social campaigns, sustainability programmes or in corporate relations;
• Understanding and experience in driving local transformation initiatives to build business sustainability
• Interpersonal relationship building skills and exposure to stakeholder management, e.g., customer, Government, media, and or employee engagement;

• proven track record in developing and the implementation of communications strategies;
• capable of leading the communication planning process and facilitating broader involvement from others;
• exposure and ability to influence people at senior management level;
• ability to manage a budget and lead cross-functional team

Key Skills

• Have passion for community and be drive to make a difference;
• Awareness of multicultural differences and sensitivities;
• Ability to impact and influence upwards;
• Ability to work confidently, persuasively and to stand ground, in order to earn the respect of both internal/external stakeholders.

Worker Type :

Regular

Primary Location:

Lagos HQ

Additional Locations :

Job Posting Start Date :

2026-04-22