Senior Public Affairs Manager - Leeds

Are you ready to shape the political and regulatory landscape for sustainable dairy, so our farmer owners and brands can thrive in a fast‑changing world? You’ll lead Arla UK’s public affairs agenda - building influential relationships, running proactive campaigns and aligning UK priorities with our global direction.

How You Will Make an Impact

As Senior Public Affairs Manager, you will lead Arla Foods UK’s Public Affairs strategy to create a supportive political environment, minimise legislative risk and enable growth. You’ll align UK priorities with global direction, build advocacy capability and deliver stakeholder engagement programmes that secure dairy’s role in healthy and sustainable diets, protect free movement of milk and dairy products, and strengthen our right to grow. The role sits in Global Corporate Communications, reporting to the Director of Communications UK, with close collaboration with Global Public Affairs and frequent engagement in London.

• Lead and continuously evolve the UK Public Affairs strategy, aligned with global objectives and market priorities.
• Develop and execute stakeholder relations and political engagement programmes with government, industry bodies (e.g., Dairy UK, NFU) and key influencers.
• Identify and drive “must‑win battles” (e.g., food strategy, sustainability, workforce, mutuals/co‑ops), running proactive campaigns and reputation initiatives with external agencies.
• Represent Arla’s interests in policy discussions and public forums; manage issues and provide expert counsel to senior leaders.
• Partner internally (e.g., Senior Sustainability Manager, UK leadership) to deliver on the Dairy Roadmap and support political engagement plans.

This role is based at Arla House, Leeds, with frequent travel to London and occasional European travel (Denmark, Sweden, Germany). You will work closely with SVP Global Corporate Communications and have a dotted line to the Director of Global Public Affairs.

What Will Make You Successful

You will bring proven UK government relations and public affairs expertise, with a strong track record in stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and advising senior leaders on complex political and regulatory issues. You will excel in both strategy and execution - analytical, influential, and an outstanding communicator - able to build coalitions and deliver campaigns under tight deadlines. With experience in public affairs, consultancy, government, or within a large organisation, you will operate with initiative, be digitally literate and internationally minded, and collaborate effectively across functions with strong organisational skills. The ideal candidate will also have an understanding of, or experience in, public affairs within an FMCG context. Personally, you will be passionate about food, farming, or sustainability, think strategically with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset, and contribute to building our advocacy capability for the long term.

We work closely together and offer a steep learning curve, meaningful responsibility, and colleagues who will cheer, support, and challenge you every day.

What Do We Offer?

You’ll join a farmer‑owned, purpose‑led business where collaboration and development matter. At Arla, you’ll help secure a positive future for dairy while influencing policy at the highest levels and building a best‑in‑class public affairs capability.

Would You Like to Join Us?

Please apply as soon as possible as we review applications on a continuous basis and will close the recruitment once the right candidate is found. For additional information, please contact Oliver Hickson-Bur in the talent acquisition team.

This advert is due to close on the 21st of June 2026.

Shape the Future of Dairy. Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with natural, sustainable nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about. If you are looking to shape the future with an ambitious global cooperative that truly cares about your growth, where everyone feels valued and empowered, and collaboration is the core of culture, Arla is a choice you can feel good about.