Head of Corporate Affairs & Regulatory

About the role

This role develops and executes the market's external affairs, public policy, regulatory, reputation, communications and stakeholder engagement strategy. It safeguards the company's license to operate, drives favourable regulatory and fiscal outcomes, protects corporate reputation and positions the company as a trusted partner to government, industry and communities. It advises the Country Leadership Team and manages policy, regulatory, reputational and socio-political risks.

Key responsibilities

• Lead regulatory and public policy strategy, monitor legislative and fiscal developments and lead engagement with regulators and policymakers
• Advocate on alcohol regulation, excise taxation, licensing, labelling, environmental regulation and trade policy; coordinate cross-functional responses to proposed regulations
• Build relationships with ministries, parliamentarians, municipalities, diplomatic missions and industry associations, and represent the company in industry forums
• Own the market reputation strategy, reputation monitoring, issues management and crisis preparedness
• Oversee internal and external communications, media relations, press engagement and spokesperson coordination, and manage the corporate brand and responsible consumption messaging
• Support sustainability advocacy, responsible drinking initiatives and partnerships with NGOs and community stakeholders
• Act as a strategic business partner to senior leaders, embed external affairs in business strategy and work with Legal, Procurement, Supply, Logistics, People, Commercial and Sustainability teams
• Lead and develop the Corporate Affairs, Communications and Regulatory teams, manage budgets and external service providers, and run risk maps and crisis plans

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Law, Public Policy, Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Communications, Public Administration or Business Administration
• 8-12+ years of experience in Corporate Affairs, Government Relations, Regulatory Affairs, Public Policy, External Affairs or Communications
• Experience engaging senior government stakeholders, leading cross-functional projects and managing reputational and regulatory risks
• FMCG, beverages, tobacco, telecommunications, energy, pharmaceuticals or highly regulated industry experience preferred

Required skills

• Regulatory affairs, public policy development and government relations
• Strategic communications, reputation management and stakeholder engagement
• Crisis and issues management, negotiation and influencing
• Strategic thinking, business acumen, leadership and decision making