Community Relations Manager - Mining Projects

Placements24; New Jersey; Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Hybrid work arrangement

Professional development and training

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a dynamic Community Relations Manager to foster sustainable relationships between mining operations in the Paarl region and local communities. The role focuses on building trust, managing stakeholder expectations, and guiding socio-economic development initiatives.

You will liaise with local government, traditional leaders, and residents, driving dialogues, addressing grievances, and ensuring compliance with social development legislation. Hybrid work is available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive community engagement strategies and plans.
• Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with community leaders and residents.
• Facilitate dialogue and address community concerns and grievances effectively and timeously.
• Oversee the implementation of Social and Labour Plan (SLP) commitments.
• Manage community development projects, ensuring alignment with company objectives and community needs.
• Organize and facilitate community meetings, workshops, and consultations.
• Monitor community sentiment and provide regular reports to senior management.
• Collaborate with internal departments to ensure alignment on community matters.
• Represent the company at community forums and public events.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation pertaining to community engagement and social development.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Negotiation

Conflict resolution

Report writing

Presentation skills

Interpersonal skills

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Communications, Public Relations, or related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a dynamic and experienced Community Relations Manager to foster positive and sustainable relationships between their mining operations in the Paarl, Western Cape and the local communities. This role is pivotal in ensuring social license to operate by building trust, managing stakeholder expectations, and facilitating socio-economic development initiatives. You will act as a key liaison, bridging the gap between the company and community stakeholders, including local government, traditional leaders, and residents. The ideal candidate possesses exceptional communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills, with a deep understanding of community engagement strategies in the context of the South African mining sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive community engagement strategies and plans.
• Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with community leaders and residents.
• Facilitate dialogue and address community concerns and grievances effectively and timeously.
• Oversee the implementation of Social and Labour Plan (SLP) commitments.
• Manage community development projects, ensuring alignment with company objectives and community needs.
• Organize and facilitate community meetings, workshops, and consultations.
• Monitor community sentiment and provide regular reports to senior management.
• Collaborate with internal departments (e.g., Legal, Operations, HR) to ensure alignment on community matters.
• Represent the company at community forums and public events.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation pertaining to community engagement and social development.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in community relations, stakeholder engagement, or corporate social responsibility, preferably in the mining or extractive industry.
• In-depth knowledge of the South African socio-political landscape and community dynamics.
• Proven experience in developing and managing community engagement programs and SLPs.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, mediation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong report writing and presentation capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage complex stakeholder relationships.
• Proficiency in local languages spoken in the Western Cape is a significant advantage.
• Willingness to travel within the Paarl region and surrounding communities.
• Valid driver's license.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to make a significant positive impact on local communities.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Exposure to diverse cultural interactions and community projects.
• A role within a respected organization committed to responsible mining practices in South Africa .
• Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility.