Head of Corporate & Regulatory Affairs

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. With products like VELO, VUSE and GLO we are on a mission to decrease the health impact of our industry

To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to Be The Change. Come, join us on this journey!

British American Tobacco UK has an exciting opportunity for a HEAD OF CORPORATE & REGULATORY AFFAIRS in Athens, Greece.

ROLE POSITIONING AND OBJECTIVES

As HEAD OF CORPORATE & REGULATORY AFFAIRS, you will work in close collaboration with the business and have a huge impact on the decisions being made. The nicotine industry is rapidly transforming into new categories of products, and you will need to navigate and give sound advice in a sensitive and complex regulatory reality. Through your work, you will influence the future of BAT by impacting the regulatory landscape as well as advocating for the transformation of the industry towards potentially reduced-risk tobacco and nicotine alternatives.

You will report directly to the Western Europe Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs and dotted line to Cluster Manager, Greece, Malta, Cyprus, Israel, and will manage a team. You will collaborate with other functions such as Legal, Finance, Marketing and Operations as well as engage with a wide variety of external stakeholders from regulatory authorities and third-party partners to political stakeholders and organizations.

Your Key Responsibilities Will Include

• Lead the development of strategies to ensure a sensible regulatory approach by governments to issues that affect the business operations.
• Take ownership and drive BAT’s engagement in the market and act as a key interlocutor for governments, political institutions and other third parties.
• Provide Corporate & Regulatory Affairs management in relation to external environment, while acting on leading-edge insights as per the strategy.
• Be actively involved in key regulatory European and international developments in close cooperation with international teams.
• Work closely with both senior and junior managers on those aspects of the business which are influenced by the external environment, including, legal, finance, marketing, and operations.
• Monitor and support on the external environment with the aim of sensible regulation which balances both the business imperatives and corporate reputation of BAT.
• Run the integration of all our external activities to address external issues in line with the business’s strategies where required.
• Lead the implementation of 360 effective external communication strategy integrated with our commitment with a Better Tomorrow and sensible and responsible regulation.
• Lead and manage, with support of the Head of External Affairs, the input to the development of company policies, strategies, and practices in response to relevant regulatory issues.
• Identify and instigate a structure and process for representing the company and engaging with key stakeholders around the area including (but not limited to) all regulatory authorities and third-party partners.
• Work closely with the Global Corporate and Regulatory Affairs function to ensure that engagement plans and objectives are fully integrated and coordinated with other team members and business activities.
  
  

What are we looking for?

• Proven experience in government and regulatory affairs work, preferably with experience from another FMCG company, a political or public institution and/or in consultancy and in-house roles.
• In depth knowledge of political & institutional for the markets mentioned above and European ecosystem, together with excellent understanding of government and regulatory affairs.
• Direct experience in dealing with diverse stakeholders on sophisticated regulatory issues.
• A good understanding of the sensitivities and complexities involved in the nicotine industry and the issues facing British American Tobacco is also required.
• In depth knowledge of media ecosystem in Greece and Brussels and proven experience of engagement with media and key opinion leaders. Experience in setting up collaboration schemes with academic institutions, thin-tanks, business associations. Proven experience in the design of effective communications campaigns as well as perform as an effective company representative and spokesperson on media and high-level fora. Excellent interpersonal & negotiation skills at highest ethical standards
• Experience in manage and develop high performance teams.
  
  

Technical / Functional / Leadership Skills Required

• As a minimum, fluent in Greece and English both written and spoken. Proficiency in other languages merited.
  
  

Education / Qualifications / Certifications Required

• Expectedly, an academic degree within a relevant field such as public affairs, political science, law, communication or equivalent.
  
  

BENEFICIAL

• Digital capabilities or experience within Business Intelligence and Analytics are considered an advantage.
• Proficient in Microsoft 360 suite, especially PowerPoint and Excel
  
  

What we offer you?

• We offer a market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility)
• Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives
• Your journey with us isn't limited by boundaries; it's propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn't just a statement – it's a reality we're eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here.
• You'll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills
• We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes
  
  

WHY JOIN BAT?

We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions.

At BAT, we champion collaboration, inclusion, and partnership as the bedrock of our values. We wish to foster an environment where every individual can thrive, irrespective of factors such as gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, as well as diverse perspectives and thinking styles. We recognise that our strength lies in embracing talent from all walks of life, empowering us to develop our culture of inclusivity and better achieve our business objectives.

We view career breaks not as obstacles but as opportunities and encourage everyone, without hesitation, to apply. Through our Global Returners program, we provide support to professionals seeking to re-enter the workforce after an extended absence, be it for family care, parental leave, national service, sabbatical, or starting their own venture.

Come bring your difference and see what is possible for you at BAT. Learn more about our culture and our award winning employee experience here.

We take pride in being a Disability Confident Employer. If you need any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to be made during the recruitment process to support you performing at your best, please inform the recruitment partner who will be in touch should your profile be selected for the role you applied for. We are wholeheartedly committed to optimising your prospects of success by making suitable arrangements so that you may showcase your full potential.