Global Alcohol Policy Manager

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.