Public Affairs Manager (Mat Cover)

At Danone, we’re driven by a powerful mission: to bring health through food to as many people as possible. As one of the world’s leading FMCG companies, our brands span Dairy & Plant-Based Products, Waters, Early Life Nutrition, and Medical Nutrition. We’re proud to be a purpose-led business, committed to healthier diets, sustainable practices, and inclusive growth. This 12-month maternity cover role is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to gain experience in a global organisation, develop their public affairs expertise, and contribute to meaningful work that supports business growth and societal impact.

Our Corporate Affairs team plays a key role in shaping the external environment to support Danone’s long-term success. Within Public Affairs, we work to ensure that policy and regulatory frameworks enable our business to grow responsibly and sustainably. This role will support the delivery of our Public Affairs agenda across Danone’s UK & Ireland business. You’ll contribute to the development of strategic initiatives, help build Danone’s reputation with key stakeholders, and ensure the business is informed and prepared for relevant policy developments.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Contribute to Strategy: Support the development and implementation of elements of Danone’s Public Affairs strategy. You’ll work closely with colleagues across the business to identify opportunities where policy engagement can support growth and innovation.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Represent Danone with external stakeholders including policymakers, trade associations, and NGOs. You’ll help build relationships that position Danone as a trusted and responsible voice in the food and health sectors.
• Policy Monitoring & Insight: Track and analyse developments in UK public policy and regulation. You’ll provide timely, well-sourced insights to internal teams, helping shape business decisions and strategic planning.
• Campaign Delivery: Help plan and deliver advocacy campaigns that support Danone’s priorities. You’ll work with internal teams and external partners to ensure campaigns are impactful and aligned with our values.
• Internal Collaboration: Act as a connector between the UK Corporate Affairs team, the wider business and our global teams. You’ll help build understanding of the role public affairs plays in enabling growth and protecting our license to operate.

About You

We’re looking for someone who is curious, collaborative, and ready to grow. You might be working in a corporate affairs, policy, or communications role and looking to gain experience in public affairs or within a large, global, purpose-driven business. We need someone who is able to work independently, at pace and often to short deadlines. Experience working in or with the UK political system. A background in corporate affairs, communications, policy, or a related field. Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to simplify complex issues. A collaborative mindset and the confidence to work with a wide range of stakeholders. An interest in how business and policy intersect—and how public affairs can drive positive change. Experience working in or with large organisations is a plus, but not essential. We welcome candidates from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

Salary Bracket: The salary on offer for this role is between £55,000 - £65,000 + bonus & benefits.

Why This Role? This is an exciting opportunity for someone with experience in corporate affairs, policy, or communications who is looking to broaden their horizons and gain hands-on experience in a global, purpose-led business. At Danone, we believe in developing people—not just for the role they’re in today, but for the careers they want to build tomorrow. Over the course of this 12-month maternity cover, you’ll be supported to grow your understanding of how a large, complex FMCG operates, how public affairs contributes to commercial success, and how to navigate the intersection of business, policy, and purpose. You’ll gain exposure to a wide range of stakeholders, work on high-impact projects, and be part of a team that’s deeply connected to the business strategy. Whether you’re looking to deepen your public affairs expertise or gain experience in a global corporate environment, this role offers a unique platform to build your skills, expand your network, and take the next step in your career. We’ll work with you throughout the year to ensure you’re developing the capabilities and confidence to thrive—whether that’s in public affairs, corporate affairs more broadly, or within a global business setting. If you’re curious, collaborative, and ready to grow, we’d love to hear from you.

About Us: At Danone UK & Ireland, we are committed to delivering better health through better nutrition for millions of consumers and patients in our communities. We have a range of flexible benefits and excellent rewards. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is deeply embedded in Danone's DNA, representing our core values and beliefs. We embrace diversity as a driving force for positive change, nurturing an inclusive workplace where every individual is valued.

The closing date for applications is 17/06/25, you will therefore hear about your application after this date.