Corporate Affairs Director

Job Description:

Mars has been committed to India and has been investing in our growing our India business for several decades, with a strong local talent pool. Today, there are over 1,000 Associates across our segments - Mars Petcare, Royal Canin, Mars Wrigley and Mars Food. Our Make in India commitment is further enhanced by the 5 factories that we operate in India – Baddi (Gums & Mints), Bangalore (Gums & Mints), Hyderabad (Petcare), Pune (Chocolate, Tasty Bite), as well as an innovation center in Bangalore, which caters to India and other countries in Asia. Our sustainability initiatives in India include sustainable sourcing of crops like mint, peanuts and rice, in addition to energy and water saving initiatives across our sites. The Mars Wrigley segment is poised to grow in India, with ambitious plans to invest in people and capabilities.

The Corporate Affairs (CA) Director is expected to develop and deliver the Corporate Affairs agenda for Mars Wrigley India as a leader of the CA function. CA deliverables in Mars are typically anchored by two pillars:

Corporate Communications: comprising internal communications, external communications (corporate and brand PR), issues and crisis management as well as consumer care. 

Public Affairs: shaping and influencing the regulatory and policy landscape in topics critical to the company's ability & freedom to operate and grow in the market. 

• Able to drive and execute corporate, segment and market communication strategies.

• Develop and implement ESG strategies and programs that comply with Mars protocols, leading sustainability and positive societal impact.

• Establish and drive a multi-channel communications strategy.

• Experience with government interaction / government relations, trade associations, stakeholder engagement and advocacy.

• Hands on, fast thinking, proven experience in project management.

• Tests and challenges team members' thinking and proposes solutions and courses of action proactively.

• Experience serving on a management team.

• Transparent and open, a thoughtful communicator and good organizer, fitting within the Mars culture.

• Sound experience, good judgment and poise in a crisis situation.

The Corporate Affairs Director for Mars Wrigley India will be responsible for leading the corporate affairs & Corporate Communication function supporting the business and is a key member of the Mars Wrigley India Leadership team as well as the Mars Wrigley Global Emerging Markets Corporate Affairs Leadership Team.

• Champion and further develop Corporate Affairs for Mars Wrigley in the India market. Lead the thinking and actions of positive societal impact for Mars Wrigley India.

• Engage stakeholders around Mars Principles and Mars Wrigley Purpose of "Inspiring moments of everyday happiness".

• Act as a strategic liaison between Mars and key stakeholders around inclusion and diversity.

• Ensure best practice in developing and implement external communication tools, systems, and processes, and ensure best practices in accordance with the standards.

• Communicate and engage with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders at the market level, including associates, government/regulators, non-governmental organizations, academia, key opinion formers, and communities.

• Drive and evaluate the company's internal and external communications, public relations, community affairs, and corporate social responsibility activities in alignment with corporate policies within India and through specific segment needs.

• Provide India crisis management and communications in accordance with CALM framework and Corporate Affairs protocols, including ensuring crisis training and tools are in place.

• Anticipate, manage, and coordinate responses to issues in India that hold the potential to affect the company's image, reputation and stakeholder positioning.

• Interface with the Global CA team to ensure market perspectives are fully considered and integrated into communications, policies, and strategies.

• Advise and guide the business regarding external/internal threats and opportunities and create strategies to protect, enhance and/or accelerate business strategies.

• Implement Public Affairs (PA) strategy in the market, considering the following work streams: External Funding, Stakeholder Engagement, Issues Management, Trade & Tariffs and Trade Associations.

• Identify local market and government issues important to the company and segments and drive them appropriately.

• Support a High Performing Team environment and manage the professional development of direct reports.

• Accountable for delivering the One Mars objective in India which includes partnering with the lead GM to ensure that Mars has a consistent external position in a time of crisis or opportunity. This also includes accountability for aligning all segment activities (Pet Nutrition and Royal Canin).

• Develop business leaders on effective communication skill.

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.

• Join a purpose driven company, where we're striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.

• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.

• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.