Public Policy and Government Affairs Senior Manager (UK & Ireland)

At PepsiCo UK, we’re proud to have some of the nation’s favourite snacks and drinks—like Walkers crisps, Quaker Oats and Pepsi beverages. With manufacturing sites across the UK, we’re also home to the world’s largest crisp factories in Leicester adjacent to one of our global R & D hubs. Our main UK office is by Reading train station and we have a London office in Clerkenwell where this role would be based.

Public Policy and Government Affairs (PPGA) has a significant impact on PepsiCo’s license to operate in the UK and Ireland. The business is facing a fast moving legislative agenda across a number of areas which affect directly and indirectly strategic priorities for the business. These include public policy initiatives on public health, packaging, climate change and corporate governance. This role is vital in shaping the business’ engagement with political and policy stakeholders and ensuring our voice is heard on critical public policy issues.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice internally and advocate our position externally to protect and enhance PepsiCo’s reputation and licence to operate.
• Manage the day to day work programme and identify opportunities to integrate the communications and government affairs agendas with the External Communications Senior Manager.
• Drive the UK stakeholder engagement programme and represent the business externally to build relationships and enhance reputation.
• Manage external agency support programme.
• Analyse government policy papers and write consultation responses.
• Represent PEP externally in Parliament, Whitehall or other stakeholder events.
• Manage relationships with key trade associations and advocate PEP policy positions to influence overall industry positions.
• Support the broader corporate affairs agenda – including policy led content for internal and external communications (PEP news, website, digital channels).
• While being across the whole PPGA agenda, become an SME on sustainability issues (particularly packaging) and partner with the sustainability team on advancing our agenda.
• Provide guidance to the Public Policy and Government Affairs Senior Executive, overseeing workstreams as required.

Qualifications

• Strategic approach to business critical public policy challenges with strong attention to technical policy detail.
• An ability to operate and navigate in environments, and on issues, with significant complexity and ambiguity.
• Superior relationship building skills, including with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage trade bodies agendas with little oversight.
• Experience (9+ years) and expertise in public affairs, corporate reputation/ corporate communications.
• Detailed knowledge of Westminster/Whitehall with an understanding of the significance of EU/international developments.
• Team player with a collaborative, inclusive style supporting the development of the broader corporate affairs team.
• Minimum degree level education with experience in issues rich environment.

Differentiating Competencies Required

Essential

• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Extensive experience in preparing briefings and undertaking research with the ability to summarise complex issues quickly with strong attention to detail.
• Resourceful and motivated with a keen appetite for learning.
• Avid consumer of news who can demonstrate understanding of UK and global current affairs.
• Effective self-starter and multi-tasker with strong time management skills and an ability to adapt quickly to change.
• Cross-cultural Sensitivity/Understanding Others – international mindset, understands different perspectives, and is able to work comfortably and effectively in a diverse, multi-cultural and international environment.
• Relationship Management – understands the importance of building & sustaining relationships internally and externally and is able to do so effectively.
• Thrives in a highly dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Desirable

• In-house public affairs/ corporate affairs team experience.
• Experience of working with multinational organisations.
• Experience of FMCG.
• Knowledge/ understanding of food industry issues and the stakeholder landscape.
• Knowledge of public health/circular economy policy issues.
• Good understanding of media relations.
• Incident and crisis management experience.

Why Join Us?

We offer a competitive salary, bonus, car allowance, flexible working, and a wide range of benefits—from critical illness cover and discounted gym memberships to enhanced parental leave and electric car schemes. Our commitment to wellbeing and career growth makes us a Top Employer for 14 years running.

Equal Opportunities

We’re an equal opportunity employer, committed to the Equality Act 2010. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and will provide any necessary adjustments to support you through the recruitment process.