External Affairs Manager UK & Ireland at Mondelēz International

How you will contribute

• In this role you will be part of a high-performing Corporate and Government Affairs (CGA) team within the UK and Ireland Business Unit, executing public affairs and policy advocacy and corporate communications strategy.
• You will be a skilled business adviser who is comfortable managing government relations, policy, corporate communications, media relations and issues management, each of which contributes to building Mondelēz International’s reputation and protecting its licence to operate.
• This is a role which requires you to think locally and globally, collaborating with colleagues from across the UK and Ireland and wider markets to share best practice.

What will you do

• You will be responsible for helping build Mondelez International’s Corporate Affairs Strategy in the UK with accountability for leading specific policy areas with support and counsel from the External Affairs Lead, UK&I and the wider CGA team.
• You will support the execution of the UK public affairs and policy strategy, monitoring and interpreting the external landscape and advising internal stakeholders on the business impact of relevant policies and trends. You will work collaboratively with colleagues across the business to assess the impact of political and policy shifts, proactively monitoring for changes in policy across the four nations of the UK to ensure these are monitored and assessed for impact. You will lead on developing consultation responses, aligning with stakeholder across the business to ensure our views are heard, and will represent the business with external stakeholders including trade associations, parliamentarians and policy makers.
• You will develop corporate communications content and review brand communications for use with media and political stakeholders and partner with leaders and senior colleagues to support external and corporate affairs. You will play an important role in business and change projects, leading communications planning and content to inform internal and external stakeholders.

Major Activities – Government Relations & Policy

• Monitor the policy landscape across the four nations of the UK, tracking policy trends and advising the business accordingly
• Work with internal experts to understand the impact of policy on our business and assist with the devising of proactive and reactive responses and actions to mitigate risk and maximise opportunity
• Establish and maintain relationships with key Government departments, political advisors, Parliamentarians and other stakeholders to ensure they are aware of Mondelez International’s contribution to the UK, our footprint, key policy asks and challenges.
• Work closely with the wider European and Global Public Affairs teams to ensure seamless engagement on major, cross-market industry issues
• Draft briefing papers, consultation responses, letters and other texts for internal and external audiences to initiate and inform debate on key public policy issues
• Represent Mondelez International at external meetings, including with trade associations and governmental and policy stakeholders and influencers
• Lead on key policy areas for the business, partnering with cross functional colleagues to assess impact and support increased awareness and understanding for relevant internal stakeholders

Major Activities – External Communications

• Create, lead and deliver proactive PR plans across all relevant media, embedding digital and social media into all campaigns, setting out clear objectives, strategy, key messages, and target media
• Proactive news generation across key business areas including brand, corporate strategy, product innovation and sustainability
• Apply a content-first approach, creating compelling content for leveraging across multiple channels (internal and external)
• Provide strategic guidance and advice on communications to senior management and colleagues across Mondelez UK&I.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with journalists on national titles though direct contact and regular meetings.
• Act as point of contact for press enquiries, responding quickly to requests in order to manage stories and facilitate additional comment opportunities, including supporting an out of hours press office rota with the wider team
• Confident issues management and handling on a local and national scale, deputising for the External Affairs Lead on key issues and special situations
• Work closely with the retained corporate communications agencies, managing their work programme and ensuring strategic alignment of projects and tactics

What you will bring

A desire to accelerate you career and lead the future of our company by utilising your current experience, knowledge and skillset in the following areas:

• Government and public affairs, policy and corporate communications expertise, preferably gained in a multinational FMCG organization, or a political setting, industry association or communications/public affairs agency
• Strategic communications experience, including drafting content for internal and external stakeholders to support company initiatives
• Policy analysis, including tracking and assessment of impact against company goals
• Public affairs experience, including an understanding of the external stakeholder landscape and how to engage effectively to drive change
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills
• Results orientation and a hands-on mentality
• Ability to work under pressure in a collaborative, cross-functional setting, navigating ambiguity and change
• Excellent time management, ability to prioritise workload and attention to detail
• Ability to work cross functionally and confidently communicate with and advise senior stakeholders and leaders across the business.

The role is a 12-month fixed-term contract or secondment. We are keen to appoint quickly, so early applications are encouraged.