Director, Global Corporate Affairs

At Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages (NW&BP), we’re all working towards the same goal – crafting every sip to enrich the lives of our consumers. We are a global business focused on brands such as San Pellegrino, Maison Perrier, Acqua Panna, and Essentia. We cultivate icons and craft experiences that elevate everyday living. Our culture fosters agility, ownership, passion, and a winning mindset. We value CARE, GRIT, CONNECTION, and INGENUITY. Teammates are empowered to make bold contributions, gain global and diverse experiences, and explore enriching career opportunities. If you are a purpose-driven professional excited to build new business solutions you will make a real impact on this team.

Joining Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages means becoming part of an inclusive workplace that inspires innovation, encourages strategic thinking and creativity, and celebrates your achievements. No matter where you work within the organization, you are empowered to challenge the status quo, embrace risk-taking, and pioneer new ideas. Our supportive and collaborative environment encourages bold ambitions and continuous learning so that everyone can grow and thrive. Be part of a global business as we continue to unlock the future of beverages designed for modern wellbeing.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

Position Summary

The Director of Global Corporate Affairs plays a crucial role in managing the relationship between the organization and its stakeholders, ensuring that the company's interests are represented effectively. This role is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive program, including framework and strategies for a leading water and beverage organization. This role is essential for representing corporate interests across diverse stakeholder environments and executing effective public affairs strategies that drive positive business outcomes. With a strong focus on U.S. experience and expertise, the Director will navigate local stakeholder ecosystems to ensure effective advocacy and communication. Supporting the Global Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, the Director will gather global insights, create a tailored public affairs plan, and lead a small team of experts to execute these strategies. Responsibilities include building relationships with government bodies, monitoring policy developments, connecting with internal experts/functions and personally supporting the execution of the plan in the U.S. The position requires a results-oriented mindset and the ability to adapt strategies to local contexts, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and creating shared value for stakeholders.

This position is a hybrid role based out of our US corporate office in Arlington, VA. The role also requires the ability to travel across the US and Europe.

Key Responsibilities

• Member of NW&PB corporate affairs Leadership team.
• Advocacy and Policy Development: Develop & support implementation of relevant global public affairs program (including framework and strategies). Developing and implementing strategies to advocate for the company’s interests in public policy discussions and legislative processes.
• Research and Monitoring: Horizon scanning on trends and topics with external stakeholders for opportunities and risks to business. providing insights to inform strategic decisions.
• Collaboration: Working closely with other departments, such as Senior leaders, marketing, legal, corporate communications, (agency/KOLs), to develop and ensure a cohesive approach to public affairs influencing strategy in regard to key policy areas including:
• Water Policy and Regulation: federal and state policies related to water quality and safety standards.
• Environmental and Water Sustainability: issues related to climate resilience, watershed protection, sustainable water management practices, packaging circularity (Bottle Bills).
• Public Engagement and Advocacy: water safety, quality, health (MAHA).
• Public Health and Safety: concerns related to contaminants like PFAs and microplastics, packaging, sugar/sweeteners and promoting best practices for beverage safety.
• Industry Challenges and Innovations: industry trends, taxes and regulatory requirements.
• Support senior leaders to effectively engage with external stakeholders to ensure opportunities to maximize influence (including attending committees, roundtables, etc.). Promoting the company’s CSR initiatives and ensuring that they align with public expectations and regulatory requirements.
• Track and monitor high level policy developments (especially in the US).
• Reporting and Analysis: Preparing reports on public affairs activities and outcomes, analyzing the effectiveness of strategies and initiatives. Produce high-quality briefings and consultation responses.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Where appropriate build, support and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• Support agency management.
• Execute local Public Affairs strategies incl. advocate for national legislation, and manage community relations, CSV partnerships, and advisory councils.

Key Internal Stakeholders

• Global Leadership Team.
• Group Public Affairs & Regulatory Scientific Affairs (RSA) team.
• Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages (NW&PB) main markets PA / RSA/ Legal/ Compliance/ Corporate Comms.
• NW&PB Head of RSA.
• NW&PB EUR Public Affairs Manager.
• NW&PB Water Stakeholder Manager.

Key External Relationships:

• Trade associations/Industry groups.
• KOLs.
• NGOs.
• Some authorities (Local government bodies, regulators, and advocacy groups).
• Agencies.
• Potential external partners & community leaders.
• Pre-competitive programs with competition.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree or MBA.
• Minimum of 9 years experience in global or zone‑level public affairs within FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) or related industries.
• Global or zone level Stakeholder Engagement: Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, NGOs, and community leaders, to advocate for the company's interests.
• Global or zone level public affairs Advocacy and Policy Development: Developing and implementing advocacy strategies to influence public policy and opinion on issues relevant to the company’s operations.
• Communication Strategy Development: Crafting communication strategies that align with the company's goals and resonate with target audiences.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Engaging in CSR initiatives that contribute positively to society.
• Knowledge of local regulatory environments (especially US) and stakeholder ecosystems within FMCG companies, advocacy organizations.
• Experience building and managing relationships with stakeholders, including community leaders, regulators.
• Experienced in developing, adapting and implementing global strategies, then transferring to local contexts and managing market-specific initiatives.
• Ability to work a hybrid work schedule out of our US corporate office in Arlington, VA.
• Ability to travel 25% of the time across the US and Europe.

Required Knowledge:

• Creating Shared Value (CSV): Knowledge of how the company integrates social and environmental concerns into its business operations and stakeholder engagements.
• Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Criteria: Familiarity with ESG metrics and how they affect corporate reputation and investor relations.
• Regulatory Frameworks: Understanding the legal and regulatory landscape that affects the food and beverage industry, including food safety and labeling laws.
• Issues management: Expertise in managing communication strategies to mitigate potential damage to the company’s reputation or operations.
• Public Affairs: Advocacy and planning for global FMCG company, high knowledge of US context and relevant topics to water & beverages business.

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.

To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you’ll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home.

The Nestlé Companies are equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at [email protected] or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

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Job Requisition: 387706

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