External Relationship Manager Ports and Terminals at DP World

The External Relationship Manager will be responsible for maintaining and strengthening relationships between DP World and key government agencies, regulatory bodies, and customers. The role will involve liaising with government stakeholders to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, addressing customer needs, and facilitating smooth operations at the port. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, with a deep understanding of port operations and government processes in Tanzania.

Key Performance Areas:

• Act as the primary liaison between DP World and various Port Stakeholders, including the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), Tanzania Shipping Agency (TASAC),
• Ministry of Transport & Communications and other regulatory bodies.
• Ensure compliance with local laws, regulations, and port operations policies by working closely with government officials.
• Facilitate government approvals and permits for port activities, infrastructure development, and expansions.
• Monitor policy changes, regulations, and industry trends to provide timely advice to the management.
• Represent DP World in meetings, conferences, and negotiations with government authorities.
• Build and maintain a strong network with government stakeholders to promote a positive working relationship.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, including shipping companies, freight forwarders, and importers/exporters using the port in collaboration with Head of Commercial.
• Collaborate with the commercial team to understand and address customers’ logistical and operational needs.
• Coordinate with the operations and logistics teams to ensure that all government and customer requirements are aligned with DP World’s service offerings and operational capabilities.
• Assist in resolving operational bottlenecks and ensure smooth coordination between the port and government agencies during the customs clearance process.
• Ensure all permits, licenses, and certifications required for port operations are up to date.
• Proactively identify risks related to government relations and customer operations, including regulatory changes that may affect port activities.
• Work closely with the compliance team to ensure adherence to safety, environmental, and legal standards.
• Manages the communications between DP World and key stakeholders in the media.
• Oversees external/ public communications related to news, updates, etc. to improve DP World’s public image and connectivity with external stakeholders.
• Keeps up-to-date with industry or national news and defines communication needs.
• Reviews analytics from external communications and decides on communication strategy accordingly.
• Prepare regular reports on interactions with government agencies, regulatory updates, and customer feedback.
• Communicate effectively with internal teams and senior management regarding relevant government policies and customer issues.
• Ensure timely dissemination of important information to relevant stakeholders.

Qualifications Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Public Relations, Political Science, or a related field.
• A master’s degree is an advantage.

Experience and Skills Required:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in government relations, public relations, or customer service roles, preferably in the logistics, maritime, or port operations industry.
• Proven track record of successful interaction with government entities and handling customer relationships.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent negotiation and problem-solving abilities.
• Deep understanding of the regulatory landscape in Tanzania.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and customer relationship management (CRM) tools.
• Strong understanding of port and maritime industry operations.
• Ability to build trust and maintain positive relationships with both government authorities and customers.
• Results-oriented with a focus on service excellence.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Strategic thinker with attention to detail and the ability to anticipate challenges.