Head of Corporate Affairs EU

at  Imperial Brands

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Expert knowledge of the operation and politics of the European Union
• Excellent formal writing skills with evidence of contributions to public letters, consultation responses, and similar
• Experience working with or for industry associations
• Understanding of EU sustainability initiatives
• Interpersonal gravitas and credibility, confident and capable public speaker
• English plus another European language (French preferred)

ABOUT US

We’re a truly international company, fourth largest in our industry and operating across 120 markets. An inclusive, innovative global FMCG business supported by 25,000 employees. As we embrace a new era of growth, we are transforming. Our ways of working and culture are driven by a challenger mindset, constantly questioning the status quo where people can bring their best selves to work. Our agility and collaboration are driving our ambitions, innovation and success all supported by our award-winning development programmes that creates exciting and rewarding career opportunities for all. Encouraging inclusion at local levels and supporting a developing and robust diversity agenda globally, we’re fully committed to creating and maintaining an environment that celebrates and respects difference

THE ROLE

Are you looking to excel your career further within Corporate Affairs? Would you like to be part of an inclusive, innovative global FMCG business supported by 25,000 employees? Imperial Brands have an exciting opportunity to join our EU Engagement Team in Brussels.
Reporting to the Director of Corporate Affairs, EU the Head of Corporate Affairs, EU will have direct leadership responsibility for the EU Engagement Team, create and implement engagement strategies and support the implementation of EU Legislation to corporate Affairs Cluster Heads and managers. In this role they will take a leading position in two major European Industry associations representing Imperial in Brussels.
The Head of Corporate Affairs, EU, will provide leadership to the EU Engagement Team, creating and implementing engagement strategies. In addition, they will leverage IMB Corporate Affairs’ presence across EU Member States to support the Group engagement strategies aimed at shaping a favourable EU regulatory environment.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Set and deliver the strategy for EU-level engagement across the Corporate Affairs Agenda in line with Imperial’s overall commercial strategy and objectives and the specific needs of the Europe Region.
• Proactively monitor and manage the regulatory, legislative, reputational, and political risk resulting from EU legislation and develop and, on a day-to-day basis, defends our freedom to operate and so the sustainability of our business. This includes everything from fighting extreme regulation to defending the company against claims brought by competitors, NGOs or government authorities.
• Develops and implements the engagement strategy to shape and influence the EU regulatory environment to support our commercial strategy, in the EU where we have a complex co-existence of EU and national legislation.
• As New generation Products become ever more important for the success of our business, it crucial that regulators understand the role NGPs can play in reducing the harm associated with smoking. The role holder will ensure that the IB NGP story is effectively communicated externally and will liaise closely with the NGP Corporate Affairs Team on European Legislative and policy matters.
• Manage and develop the three-person EU Corporate Affairs engagement team.
• Steer the objectives and alignment process in industry associations to which Imperial belongs in Europe (Tobacco Europe and ESTA) with the goal of delivering against Imperial’s EU strategy and address any shortcomings with the support of the Director of Corporate Affairs, Europe.