PUBLIC AFFAIRS LEAD

announces following job vacancy

Public Affairs Lead

Department: Corporate Affairs

Location: Head Office

Asahi Europe & International is part of Asahi Group Holdings, a global beer, spirits, soft drinks and food group with leading positions in European and Asia-Pacific markets, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Japan.

Asahi Europe & International runs 19 production facilities in 9 countries across Europe and North America and is the custodian of some of the best beer brands in the world, including Asahi Super Dry, Pilsner Urquell, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Grolsch and Kozel.

Within the Asahi Group, the remit of Asahi Europe and International is also to develop and manage all export markets globally, outside of East Asia, Japan and Oceania. Covering over 80+ markets and with over 10,000 passionate colleagues on board, the business is well positioned to inspire people around the world to drink better through our shared purpose of Creating Meaningful Connections.

Ursus Breweries is the largest beer producer in Romania and the leader of the Romanian beer market. The brands in the Ursus Breweries portfolio include URSUS, Timișoreana, Ciucaș, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Kozel, Azuga, Pilsner Urquell, and Asahi Super Dry and is part of Asahi Europe & International.

Currently, Ursus Breweries operates three breweries located in Brașov, Buzău, and Timișoara, as well as a small-scale production facility in Cluj-Napoca.

For more information about the company and its programs, please visit www.ursus-breweries.ro and www.desprealcool.ro.

Role Overview:

As a Public Affairs Lead, you will shape and protect Asahi Europe & International's operating environment by developing and executing a proactive public affairs strategy across alcohol, trade, tax, and consumer policy topics. Acting as the key Public Affairs representative within the market, you will identify regulatory risks and opportunities, influence policy outcomes, build trusted stakeholder relationships, and ensure the business is prepared for an evolving regulatory landscape. You will also lead the local Responsible Drinking Alcohol Plan, reinforcing AEI's commitment to responsible consumption and sustainable business practices.

 Responsibilities:

• Own and drive the local Public Affairs strategy across alcohol, trade, tax, and consumer priorities, ensuring alignment with business priorities and regional objectives.
• Lead cross-functional Public Affairs priority-setting, defining KPIs, recommended positions, and external actions, and communicate policy and regulatory developments affecting the business.
• Identify legislative risks and opportunities and provide strategic recommendations to business stakeholders.
• Coordinate cross-functional regulatory preparedness, ensuring relevant teams understand implications and required actions.
• Drive implementation of advocacy initiatives and support broader regional and EU public affairs activities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with policymakers, industry associations, regulators, and external stakeholders.
• Represent the company in industry forums, working groups, and external meetings.
• Own the local Responsible Drinking Alcohol Plan, aligning it with global alcohol policy priorities and reporting progress to the Hub.
• Provide timely public affairs intelligence and act as an early-warning system for emerging policy issues.
• Measure and evaluate the effectiveness of advocacy activities and continuously refine strategy.

 Requirements (must have):

• Minimum 7 years of experience in Public Affairs, Corporate Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, or a related field.
• Proven track record in developing and executing public affairs or advocacy strategies.
• Strong understanding of policymaking processes and regulatory environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing relationships with government bodies, policymakers, industry associations, and external stakeholders.
• Experience responding to policy changes and influencing regulatory developments.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and collaborating within complex organizations.
• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in political science, International Relations, Public Policy, Communications, Law, Economics, or a related discipline.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building capabilities.

Requirements (nice to have):

• Experience within FMCG, beverage, alcohol, or another highly regulated industry.
• Experience working in a multinational or matrix organization.
• Exposure to sustainability, taxation, health policy, or social responsibility topics.
• Experience representing organizations in associations, committees, or industry working groups.
• Understanding of international regulatory developments and their local market implications.
• Experience contributing to regional or EU-level advocacy initiatives.

We are committed to nurturing a workplace where we celebrate and respect difference, and support everyone to be true to who they are! At Ursus Breweries, part of Asahi Europe and International, we believe you can SHINE AS YOU ARE - no matter your age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs.  We want to support you to be courageous in your individuality and to know that whoever you are and whatever your circumstances, you can belong with us without having to conform.