Head of Public Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement

This is a Fixed Term Contract with an estimated duration of 12 months. The Head of Public Affairs will be responsible for protecting and enhancing the reputation of Tesco Ireland by developing and implementing Tesco’s public policy strategy and building trust with key stakeholders.

• Working with the Communications Director, Head of PR and Head of Internal Communications and CSR to develop and deliver Tesco’s integrated corporate communications strategy
• Within that, specifically develop and implement Tesco's public policy and engagement strategy to build trust amongst our key external stakeholders 
• Highlight Tesco’s work amongst our external stakeholders in a positive way and bolster the already positive perception of the brand
• Represent and ensure the consistent, coherent and effective delivery of our key messages to key stakeholders and influencers. 
• Forge connections and establish regular two-way contact with key external stakeholders, decision-makers, and influencers within Government, the political system, and beyond; identify and develop innovative methods of engagement
• Monitor industry activity, trends, opportunities and threats, providing and communicating analysis to senior leaders within the business 
• Horizon-scan to provide internal forecasts of the likely effect of national and European public policy changes on the business
• Lead and develop the business response to Government and other relevant consultations, represent Tesco in Government and other external forums as appropriate 
• Issues management and anticipating potential changes, legislative issues, opportunities and threats, and supporting /leading crisis management as necessary.
• Line-managing the Public Affairs Manager, and manage the delivery of public affairs support by our external communications consultancy 
   

For this role you should have a minimum of 6+ years’ experience in the same or similar role and demonstrated a track record of: 

We offer excellent benefits that help make Tesco a great place to work. These include but aren’t limited to:

• Competitive Salary
• Life Assurance
• Pension Scheme*
• Bonus Scheme*
• Colleague Clubcard (including a 2nd card for a family member)
• Annual leave starting at 23 days
• Save As You Earn Scheme*

*Entry requirements and rules of the scheme apply
 

Our vision at Tesco is to become every customer’s favourite way to shop, whether they are at home or out on the move.  Our core purpose is “Serving our customers, communities and planet a little better every day”.  Serving means more than a transactional relationship with our customers.  It means acting as a responsible and sustainable business for all stakeholders, for the communities we are part of, and for the planet. Through initiatives like the Tesco Community Fund, our association with Children’s Health Foundation, our partnership with FoodCloud and our Stronger Starts programme, we have supported over 21,000 community groups, raised over €7.5 million for medical equipment, and provided almost 15 million meals nationwide, to those living in food insecurity.

Tesco has operated in the Irish retail market since 1997, and with 163 stores nationwide, we employ over 13,000 people in cities and towns around Ireland, supporting almost 45,000 jobs directly and indirectly. We partner with over 500 Irish suppliers - of which almost three-quarters are small and medium enterprises - which in turn supports almost 13,000 farming families around Ireland. Tesco is the single largest buyer of Irish food and drink in the world, buying €1.6 Billion a year; more than any other single country in the European Union, more than even the USA which you perceive as a massive buyer of Irish food.  

We work closely with suppliers across Ireland who are dedicated to making the best products for our customers and this is reflected in the numerous awards our products have won over the years including Blás Na hÉireann, World Steak Challenge and Great Taste Awards.

We are proud to have an inclusive culture at Tesco where everyone truly feels able to be themselves. It is embedded in our values: we treat people how they want to be treated.   At Tesco, we not only celebrate diversity, but recognise the value and opportunity it brings.  We always want our colleagues to feel they can be themselves at work and we are committed to helping them be at their best.

We are building an inclusive workplace, a place to actively celebrate the cultures, personalities and preferences of our colleagues – who in turn help to build the success of our business and reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. We’ve taken steps to ensure our stores are places where everyone feels welcome to shop too, with colleagues all trained to support those with a visible or hidden disability through the Sunflower Lanyard programme.

We’re a big business with diverse working patterns and many business areas which means that we can find something that works for you.  Everyone is welcome at Tesco.

We have embraced a blended working week – combining office and remote working. Our offices will continue to be where we connect, collaborate and innovate. Please talk to us to about how this can work for you.