Global Alcohol Policy Manager

About the Function

Our Corporate Relations (CR) team are reputation experts, shaping and protecting the future of our business and much-loved brands. With the ambition to become one of the most trusted and respected consumer goods companies in the world, our CR team act as the link to our external stakeholders, managing critical relationships with the outside world including the press and media, investors and government organisations, as well as NGOs and our many partners.

Operating across different markets, brands, and business areas including Corporate Communications, Policy and ESG, we collaborate with people all around the world. Join our team of experts, and you'll play a crucial role in protecting and promoting who we are and what we do, and ultimately our licence to operate.

Context/Scope:

The purpose of the Global Government team and roles within it is to protect and re-shape Diageo's global operating environment, maintaining our licence to operate, and celebrate, through better regulation and reputational advocacy.

At a global level, the most significant influence on alcohol policy is the World Health Organisation (WHO) the United Nations specialised agency for health. Its objective is to promote health by directing and coordinating action at international level. WHO drives the public health global agenda by:

• raising awareness and disseminating information;
• assisting governments in developing their public health policies;
• stimulating research;
• proposing conventions, agreements and regulations;
• making recommendations with respect to international health matters;
• monitoring the implementation of the policies.

Our industry is facing unprecedented challenges from the WHO and its NGO network globally and regionally, who are increasing pressure on member states to adopt stricter regulations for alcohol to reduce overall consumption and not just harmful drinking. These measures could include increases in alcohol taxes, bans on alcohol advertising and marketing, availability restrictions and health warning labels.

As a result, we have a continued need to develop and execute effective member states engagement strategies at the capital level as well as at the UN missions in NYC and Geneva. This includes co-ordinating and supporting markets in their lobbying and campaigning efforts of governments around the WHO.

The role will sit in the Global Government team based in London and work closely with the Global Director of Regulatory Freedoms, and co-ordinate effectively Multi Lateral Organisations engagements on Alcohol and Health with the whole of Global Government team.

About the role

• Develop a global approach to member states engagement to increase support for our industry at the UN / WHO fora
• Identify collaboration and partnership opportunities and build an external network in support of our advocacy, e.g. industry peers (International Alliance for Responsible Drinking, World Spirits Alliance), cross-sectoral coalitions, NGOs, OECD, etc.
• Develop a comprehensive stakeholder map with all engagements at the global, regional and in-market level
• Implement early warning systems to alert of new developments and risks related to the strategy for alcohol and the NCD agenda a the at the UN / WHO level
• Develop capability building programmes and partner and support markets in mobilising their trade associations and engaging key government stakeholders
• Develop and implement up-to-date support materials for markets with talking points, engagement materials, template letters, etc.
• Work closely with the Regulatory Freedoms Director and the Global Government team to co-ordinate engagements of MLOs
• Provide regular updates for sharing with the Corporate Relations network, Global Government Director and relevant leadership teams

Leadership Responsibilities and Decision- Making Rights

• Evidence of influencing key stakeholders internally and externally.
• Strong understanding of the structure, purpose and political instruments at the global level that influence alcohol policy (WHO, UN, FENSA, CODEX, etc.)
• Excellent 'external radar'; constantly scanning for potential issues, threats and opportunities in the external environment and ability to collaborate with others to assess relevance and prioritise actions/responses.
• Knowledge of industry tools, techniques, and strategies for capability building between individuals and groups.
• Ability to, leverage Diageo's corporate relations assets including corporate communications, sustainability strategy, legal, in-market teams as well as key senior stakeholders.

Experience / skills required

• Proven ability to build strong external networks and international advocacy strategies
• Demonstrated ability to work across geographies, functions and a sophisticated organisation, and understand the cultural nuances of influencing policy across borders.
• Good sense of, and ability to understand the wider external environment and the various positions of global and local governments, NGOs, academics and advocacy groups.
• Demonstrated ability to work in multidisciplinary teams with a focus on deliver regulatory outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across teams to leverage insights and to contribute to aligned views of the path forward against key issues.

Working with Us

Flexibility is key to success. From part-time and compressed hours to different locations our people work flexibly in ways to suit them. Talk to us about what flexibility means to you and we'll work together so that you're supported from day one.

We recognise and value performance, offering our people a highly competitive Rewards and Benefits package including:

• Contemporary work life balance policies and wellbeing activities
• On site gym or subsidised gym membership
• Contributary pension scheme
• Comprehensive health insurance for you and your family
• On site nursery or vouchers
• Annual bonus of circa 20% of your base salary (dependent on performance)
• Share options
• 28 days' vacation per annum

Our purpose is to celebrate life, every day, everywhere. And creating an inclusive culture, where everyone feels valued and that they can belong, is a crucial part of this.

We embrace diversity in the broadest possible sense. This means that you'll be welcomed and celebrated for who you are just by being you. You'll be part of and help build and champion an inclusive culture that celebrates people of different gender, ethnicity, ability, age, sexual orientation, social class, educational backgrounds, experiences and more.

Ourambitionistocreatethebestperforming,mosttrustedandrespectedconsumer products companies in the world. Join us and help transform our business as we take our brands to the next level and build new ones as part of shaping the next generation of celebrations for consumers around the world!

Feel inspired? Then this may be the opportunity for you!

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