Corporate Affairs Manager

**About us**

We're a truly international company, fourth largest in our industry and operating across 119 markets. An inclusive, innovative global FMCG business supported by 26,000 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.

As we move forward, our consumers will be at the heart of what we do, evolving to needs and expectations and committing to a more meaningful contribution to harm reduction by building a successful NGP business. Integral to our long-term success is our sustainability strategy, behaving responsibly and supporting our ambitions, all underpinned by high governance.

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**

Based in Madrid, and reporting to the Head of Corporate & Legal Affairs (CLA) for Global Duty Free, Travel Retail, Export and Rizla, this global role is responsible for driving and implementing the Corporate Affairs strategy of the Cluster (GDF, Travel Retail, Exports and Rizla), across regions, markets and functions. The role delivers proactive communication with stakeholders internally and externally regarding regulation and external affairs issues in relation to our business. The Corporate Affairs Manager will contribute to a host of departmental priorities, as well as ensuring alignment to the Imperial Brands global Corporate & Legal Affairs strategy.

The role will lead horizontal and regional issues related to regulation and engagement in the Cluster’s business sectors, to ensure the successful management of regulatory changes with a view to identify and exploit commercial opportunities, as well as safeguard the future of the business. The position will break-down strategic positions and frameworks into concrete guidelines, for shaping activities such as launch plans and marketing operations.

The Corporate Affairs Manager will be the focal point for a defined number of regions and markets and will own the delivery of the CLA agenda of these, partnering with Sales colleagues in the regional offices to manage a number of vertical issues such as regulatory changes (display ban, plain packaging, customs allowances etc.), and pro-actively seek to defend against adverse regulations and identify opportunities. The role will work with regional teams to define priorities for CLA activities aligned between business needs and global strategy.

The Corporate Affairs Manager will act as a business partner for relevant central functions and deliver guidance and frameworks on horizontal issues, whilst ensuring structured information management is in place for all issues, horizontally and vertically. The role will work closely with the Legal Affairs Manager in the Cluster CLA team, when legal advice is required, and the Compliance Manager so that risks can be mitigated. Additionally, the role will work closely with the Corporate Affairs Executive in delivering the prioritise of the Cluster CLA team.

The role will develop and create position papers and materials for engagement with external stakeholders (customers, trade associations, trade press, airport authorities, regulators etc.) and guidance/briefings for internal cross departmental decision-making.

The Corporate Affairs Manager will represent Imperial Brands in relevant industry associations and regulatory bodies, as well as manage global/regional/national engagement campaigns. The role will manage external agencies and political consultants.

Moreover, the Corporate Affairs Manager will strengthen the Cluster’s ability to be perceived as a preferred supplier by its customers, as managing regulatory change and development of new categories is considered a strong advantage.

Finally, this role requires a commercial and pragmatic mindset, as well as a detailed understanding of the Duty Free, Travel Retail, Exports and Rizla business model, whilst being a close cross-functional liaison within the organisation.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Responsible for the implementation of Imperial Brands corporate and external affairs strategy within the Cluster; shaping the external environment to maximize sales and ensure sustainability of the business.
- Take ownership for horizontal Corporate Affairs issues (e.g. Sustainability, NGP, Anti-Illicit Trade, Duty Free regulation and global Customs Frameworks) and develop close working relationship with external and internal stakeholders (e.g. domestic CLA, Cluster PPM and Marketing etc.)
- Develop and lead a structured process that ensures upc