Government Relations And Industry Affairs Manager | Environment And Retail

We currently have a fantastic permanent full-time opportunity for a Government Relations & Industry Affairs Manager to join our Government Relations and Industry Affairs team. This role is based in Sydney and is offering flexible work arrangements.

The Government Relations and Industry Affairs Manager – Environment and Retail will be responsible for developing and executing Woolworths Group’s government relations and public policy strategy related to sustainability and retail. 

The role works both strategically and tactically to ensure Woolworths Group’s ambitious sustainability objectives are aligned with government policies and regulations. It also involves providing trusted advice to Woolworths’ commercial, sustainability, policy, regulatory, and operational teams on our advocacy opportunities and risks specific to these areas, and serves as a key relationship manager with government and industry stakeholders.

About Woolworths Group

Woolworths Group is a food and everyday needs retailer united by the shared purpose of creating better experiences together for a better tomorrow. With more than 1,400 stores across its Woolworths Supermarkets, Countdown Supermarkets (New Zealand) and BIG W brands, and fast-growing eCommerce businesses, Woolworths Group is Australia and New Zealand’s largest retailer. A top 10 company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), Woolworths Group employs more than 180,000 team members and serves more than 20 million customers a week.

About the Opportunity

The role will drive proactive stakeholder engagement to support Woolworths’ commercial and reputational ambitions with relevant stakeholders while providing strategic advice on legislative, regulatory, and reputational issues related to the Group’s sustainability and retail interests.

This role reports to the Senior Manager Government Relations and Industry Affairs ‒ Retail. The role will assist the broader Government Relations and Industry Affairs team achieve advocacy and reputational outcomes and play an important role in successfully achieving the overall GR&IA purpose, namely that governments and external stakeholders champion Woolworths’ success.

The key responsibilities includes but not limited to;

Develop and execute Woolworths Group’s government relations strategy related to sustainability, in collaboration with the Senior Manager and other key internal stakeholders.

Effectively advocate for the interests of Woolworths Group’s customers, team members and shareholders in the sustainability sphere.

Build and maintain relationships with government officials, regulators, and policymakers at the federal, state/territory, and local levels.

Monitor government policy and regulatory developments related to sustainability and some retail areas and ensure Woolworths Group’s objectives are aligned with government policies and regulations.

Playing a key role in implementing Woolworths’ business response to relevant single-use plastic and sustainability legislation, by providing insight and clarity on upcoming legislation and regulations, as well as being a conduit for clarification and advocacy to government. 

Provide strategic advice to Woolworths Group’s sustainability and policy teams across commercial, Supermarkets, BIG W, W360 and our ecosystem businesses on government relations matters, and work collaboratively with the team to deliver on Woolworths Group’s sustainability commitments.

Play a lead role in the development of our sustainability narrative, including development and advocacy to support the Woolworths Sustainability Report with external stakeholders.

About you

The successful candidate will ideally have 5+ years of experience working in government, an industry association, a large corporation, public affairs, or a related field, with a focus on sustainability and/or retail issues. Prior background in the sustainability policy environment, especially climate change, energy, packaging and materials, waste and the circular economy, will be considered as part of the recruitment process.

The role requires a motivated self-starter and proactive individual who can demonstrate:

A passion for sustainability and a commitment to driving positive change.

Strong understanding of Australian government and regulatory processes and procedures, and proven ability to navigate complex policy and regulatory environments. 

Understand and navigate how regulations, and in particular the detail of regulations, impacts on retail operations, supply chains, and products.

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging with government officials, regulators, and policymakers.

Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to develop and execute effective advocacy campaigns and engagement strategies.

Operating proactively, requiring high degrees of collaboration, curiosity and motivation, this role undertakes significant engagement with government and industry stakeholders as part of the policy development and influencing process.

Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field such as sustainability, environmental science, law, politics, or public affairs. Postgraduate qualifications are highly regarded.

If you