Due to impending retirement, we are looking for a Senior Director to lead our Public Affairs Function. Reporting to the Board, you will have overall accountability for Asda’s engagement with government at all levels: Westminster and Whitehall; Devolved UK and Local Government.
The role and you
Public Affairs is an important function within Asda and has been at the core of many of our key business decisions in recent years in responding to Covid, Brexit and our sale by Walmart. The public policy agenda in the coming years will be no less busy and varied; we face new regulations across a range of issues including health and obesity and the environment, as well as business growth opportunities for our online business and deliveries which will need engagement with our neighbours and local councils.
As head of the function, you will lead, coordinate and develop the team who are based in London, Scotland, Northern Ireland, as well as at our head office in Leeds. Given the geography of our business and team, in combination of the experiences of the last year, mutual flexibility is required.
You will do this by:
Being a true people leader, knowing how to get the best out of others and develop talent, give direction, inspire, advise, support and coach to success, holding others to account. Ultimately, you will know how to deliver through other people and lead through uncertainty and change.
Creating an environment of trust by being inclusive. You will bring your whole self to work and empower your colleagues to do the same. The strength and the success of the team is due to their culture of inclusive cross functional ways of working
Defining, developing and executing Asda’s public affairs strategy in order to promote a legislative and regulatory environment that supports Asda’s business strategy, while defending Asda’s reputation with political and key opinion former audiences.
Key Relationships
- Asda’s Chief Executive and the Executive Team;
- Senior Colleagues across a range of Asda functions;
- Senior Directors in the PR and ESG functions;
- Ministers and Senior Civil Servants across the UK;
- MPs, MSPs and Assembly Members in Wales and Northern Ireland;
- Leading Councillors in relevant areas;
- Our trade association, the British Retail Consortium and the CBI;
- Think Tanks, NGOs and other political influencers.
We are looking for a leader who not only understands politics, but who can see the impact of public policy on a fast-moving business.
What's in it for you
Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience. A customised package, including base salary, excellent bonus opportunity and benefits will be developed to attract the finest candidate.