Special Officer

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Special Officer to the CEO serves as a strategic partner and trusted advisor, supporting the CEO in driving key business priorities, corporate positioning, and high-level stakeholder engagement. This role acts as an extension of the CEO in managing critical initiatives, advising on strategic matters, and ensuring alignment across the organization.

With a strong focus on corporate communications and public positioning, the role is responsible for shaping executive messaging, managing sensitive engagements, and supporting informed decision-making at the highest level. The Special Officer will work closely with internal leadership and external stakeholders to ensure the CEO's vision is effectively translated into clear direction, impactful communication, and measurable outcomes.

This is a strategic, high-impact role rather than a traditional administrative or secretarial position, requiring sound judgement, strong business acumen, and the ability to operate confidently in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

1. Strategic Advisory & Decision Support

• Act as a thinking partner to the CEO, providing insights, options, and recommendations on strategic, operational, and reputational matters.
• Analyse business issues, risks, and opportunities; prepare executive briefs and decision papers for CEO review.
• Support CEO-level decision-making by synthesising inputs from C-levels / HODs into clear, objective recommendations.
• Monitor execution of CEO decisions and escalate deviations or risks early.

2. Corporate Affairs, PR & Messaging

• Support the CEO in corporate communications, public positioning, and PR-sensitive matters.
• Prepare and refine CEO speeches, key messages, talking points, statements, and announcements.
• Ensure alignment of internal and external messaging with corporate strategy, brand positioning, and leadership intent.
• Advise the CEO on reputational risks, stakeholder sentiments, and communication strategies during sensitive situations.

3. Stakeholder & High-Level Relationship Management

• Act as a trusted representative of the CEO in engagements with internal leadership, partners, clients, regulators, or external stakeholders.
• Manage communication flows between the CEO and senior stakeholders to ensure clarity, alignment, and intent preservation.
• Attend high-level meetings on behalf of or with the CEO; capture strategic outcomes, commitments, and follow-up actions.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with Board members, C-level executives, and key partners.

4. Strategic Initiatives & Special Assignments

• Drive and coordinate CEO-mandated strategic projects, cross-functional initiatives, and transformation efforts.
• Translate CEO vision into actionable initiatives with clear deliverables and ownership.
• Track progress, identify bottlenecks, and provide concise updates to the CEO.
• Support strategic planning discussions, leadership reviews, and performance assessment exercises.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Corporate Communications, Public Relations, Political Science, Law, Economics, or related fields. Master's or professional is added advantage.
• Minimum 7-10 years of relevant experience in corporate strategy, public relations, corporate affairs.
• Proven track record of working closely with C-level executives and senior stakeholders in a fast-paced, high-level environment.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical abilities, with the capability to support and influence executive decision-making.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience in preparing executive-level reports, presentations, and key messages
• Strong stakeholder management and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage confidently across internal leadership and external partners.
• Solid business acumen with the ability to assess risks, opportunities, and provide sound judgement on complex matters
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.