What: We are currently looking for an experienced Public Affairs professional to develop and execute engagement plans on issues impacting clients in the food retail and CPG sector. This includes providing counsel, strategic planning and execution for clients in the areas of message development, influencer engagement, policy communications and thought leadership. This person will work closely with integrated agency teams, client market leadership, Government Relations, Communications, Supply Chain and Sustainability, and other functional teams and leaders as needed to ensure that policy and reputational objectives align and support client business goals.
The position will serve as a senior Public Affairs leader in Golin’s Corporate Practice and lead the development of plans, thought leadership and provide client counsel for external and internal engagement with a broad range of key stakeholders to proactively and reactively address issues impacting the corporate reputation of our clients. In this role, the director will engage with C-suite and functional leaders from within our client companies and is responsible for maintaining strong working relationships between Golin, our Public Affairs clients and relevant non-governmental organizations, professional associations, academic institutions, think tanks and advocacy organizations in order to inform and influence U.S public policy and perception.
This person must build and maintain strong internal relationships and possess the ability to influence various clients on issues impacting the company. Some travel required. Responsibilities include:
- Serve as client Public Affairs and Issues Management leader
- Develop an intimate knowledge of your clients’ brands
- Proactively generate new ideas and opportunities for the development of strategic client plans and assist with the creation of related budgets
- Partner with key team members in the other g4 communities to develop, sell-in and execute traditional media and social media plans
- Work well with a variety of key internal and external stakeholders
- Excel at verbal and written client, interpersonal and intra-team communications
- Develop comprehensive strategy and plan for external engagement based on the client’s business priorities
- Lead execution of strategy in partnership with relevant team(s), to build brand trust and reputation with stakeholders who influence the U.S. debate and policy outcomes that impact clients
- Where applicable for clients, build relationships with influencers through networking and outreach to achieve engagement objectives. This includes working formally and informally with external subject matter experts; representing clients at relevant meetings; and, at times, partnering with clients to drive proactive outreach to build third-party support
- Identify trends, analyze risks and develop opportunities for clients with applied insights from consumers, policy influencers and policymakers
- Create tools and execute tactics to assist in managing on-going issues, including developing briefing notes, position statements, and participating in the development of relevant reports and communications materials.
- Provide leadership and executional excellence during program implementation
- Develop deep knowledge of relevant industry events
- Manage external vendors
- Assist with supervision and development of junior team members
- Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline
- 8-10 years of experience in communications, public affairs, stakeholder engagement and public policy, possibly within corporate, NGO, government, association or relevant agency experience.
- Experience in leading teams and program management experience (planning, execution, budget management)
- Proven ability to execute programs with small budgets and keep clients and leadership updated on budget trends
- A sophisticated understanding of how the Washington DC public policy arena works. This will have been gained by at least 8years of relevant experience in stakeholder engagement and policy (possibly in corporate, government, agency or relevant NGO/association environments).
- Experience in policy communications and the relevant use of various media relations in order to influence the desired outcome
- Demonstrated knowledge or experience in the design, regulatory implementation, advocacy or oversight of one or more of the following policy areas: food, nutrition, sustainability, environment, labor or franchising
- Experience in providing strategic counsel to senior business executives particularly with regards to stakeholder engagement, message strategy development, media strategy, planning and execution
- Excellent written and oral communications skills, including an ability to convey complex policy issues in a clear and concise manner
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
- Demonstrable experience leading large client projects
- Excellent writing, copy-editing, and proof-reading skills