Head of External Affairs

JOB TITLE: HEAD OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOCATION: LONDON (STOCKLEY PARK)

CONTRACT

SALARY: £500 - £550

Stanton House is pleased to be supporting one of our key clients, a leading global FMCG organisation, as they look to appoint an experienced Head of External Affairs to support them in the delivery of engagement externally, ongoing management of issues to protect reputation and the building of advocacy with key stakeholders in the media, trade and public policy audiences in support of the business objectives.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

- 8-10 years experience within a customer-facing FMCG environment/public affairs agency
- Relevant experience in a senior communications role, covering corporate communications, public affairs and policy
- Previous experience of trade and consumer PR/media and stakeholder engagement within the private sector
- Previous agency management and trade association engagement experience
- Previous experience of issues management and crisis communications and use of sound judgement in relation to corporate reputation matters
- Previous experience of delivering CSR partnerships including environmental and sustainability initiatives
- Strategic thinking and 'can do' attitude, able to create and deliver end to end communications, from strategy to implementation
- Strong written skills, influencing skills and emotional intelligence vital
- Ability to engage with senior business leaders internally and media and policy audiences externally
- Ability to work to tight deadlines, across a number of projects at one time, covering the broad spectrum of corporate communications

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

- To deliver the external affairs strategy which supports the business in delivering its commercial objectives and creates a compelling narrative to engage key stakeholders
- To support the Leadership Team and internal stakeholders on all matters relating to managing the corporate reputation of the business, providing counsel and communications support
- Public Policy - to represent the business with trade associations (BSDA, FDF) and with political and public policy engagement including relevant meetings with government audiences
- Issues Management - to proactively plan for potential issues to protect the reputation of the business
- Management and delivery of our CSR initiatives across nutrition, environment and community engagement, as well as employee led CSR programmes.
- To provide strategic guidance around earned media objectives, key messages, tactics and return on investment working with the Brand Marketing Directors which will
- support the delivery of brand marketing plans through best-in-class brand communications
- Agency management - ensuring delivery of KPIs by public affairs and reputation management agencies
- Marketing compliance - working closely with the legal and regulatory affairs teams to ensure compliance with LRS Responsible Marketing Code is adhered to
- Ensure strategic alliance with SBFE group corporate affairs
- Representation on Marketing Leadership Team
- Line management of corporate affairs officer

To find out more information or to be considered for this opportunity, applications WILL ONLY BE CONSIDERED IN THE FIRST INSTANCE BY EMAIL. Please send your CV to the following address. The selection process will incorporate a formal interview, an assessment of the applicant's competencies, as well as obtaining written references from previous clients/employers.