Public Affairs Manager - India

Brown-Forman; Gurugram District; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown-Forman in India seeks a seasoned Public Affairs professional to lead government relations and policy initiatives. You will assess the regulatory landscape, advocate for the company's interests with state and central authorities, and represent Brown-Forman with trade associations.

You will build partnerships with excise and industry bodies, coordinate with the India leadership, ensure compliance with laws, and help shape a proactive policy agenda to support Brown-Forman’s commercial

Qualifications

• Graduate degree required in a relevant field.
• Experience navigating government and regulatory environments.
• Proven ability to advocate policy positions with clarity.

Responsibilities

• Assess cultural/political environment for the spirits industry in India and provide strategic/tactical advice.
• Advocate for Brown-Forman’s interests with state and central governments in India.
• Represent Brown-Forman on industry trade associations and social organizations.
• Cultivate partnerships with excise, government and industry stakeholders to meet PA goals.
• Collaborate with authorities on policies aligned with the company’s strategy.
• Lead initiatives to implement policy recommendations and amendments.
• Inform and advise on public policy initiatives to promote responsible industry self-regulation.
• Contribute to a comprehensive government relations strategy for India.
• Work with local management to advance Brown-Forman’s commercial interests in India.

Skills

Public Affairs

Government Relations

Stakeholder Engagement

Policy Advocacy

Education

Graduate degree

Job description

We believe great people build great brands. And we know there is Nothing Better in the Market than a career at Brown-Forman. Being a part of Brown-Forman means you will grow both personally and professionally. You will have the opportunity to solve problems, seize opportunities, and generate bold ideas. You will belong to a place where teamwork matters and where you are encouraged to bring your best self to work.

Quote from Hiring Manager

Brown-Forman, a longstanding leader in promoting the responsible enjoyment of premium beverage alcohol products, seeks to retain a Public Affairs professional to assist in implementing its strategies to enhance and protect Brown-Forman’s commercial and and marketing freedoms, and promote alcohol responsibility in India.

Meaningful Work From Day One

• Assessing the cultural and political environment affecting the distilled spirits industry in India and providing sound strategic and tactical advice to the company
• Serving as an advocate for Brown-Forman’s interests with State and Central Governments and regulatory departments within India
• Furthering Brown-Forman’s policies as one of its representatives on local industry trade associations and social aspects organizations.
• Cultivate strong partnerships with key stakeholders in Excise, Government and industry on an ongoing basis to maintain the required/desired Public Affairs goals and objectives
• Collaborate regularly with relevant authorities on policies in line with B-F’s organization and business strategy
• Spearhead initiatives to implement recommended policies/amendments

What You Can Expect

• Strategically inform, identify and advise Brown-Forman on public policy initiatives to promote industry self-regulation, alcohol education, and alcohol responsibility throughout India
• Contribute to the development of a comprehensive strategy and consistent practice for Brown-Forman government relations for India
• Work closely with B-F local management to develop and implement a proactive agenda to advance Brown-Forman’s commercial interests in India

This will involve:

Working to protect Brown-Forman’s interests from threats that would worsen the commercial environment for the responsible sale and marketing of distilled spirits

Identifying and working (most often collectively with others in the beverage alcohol industry) to reform existing laws, policies and regulations that unreasonably impede Brown-Forman’s business in India

• Spokesperson for Brown-Forman on political and alcohol responsibility matters with governments, politicians and regulators
• Advise and provide support on strategic and policy matters in the areas of alcohol responsibility and Public Affairs in India
• Collaborate with the General Manager, India and South Asia and the leadership team to ensure the commercial imperatives for the India business are reflected in India public policy and regulation
• Serve as Brown-Forman’s primary representative on day-to-day matters involving trade associations of which Brown-Forman is a member in India, including ISWAI working groups (International Spirits and Wine Association of India)
• Work closely with and under the guidance and direction of the VP, Director of Public Affairs EAA in determining policy and involvement in all these and other discussion forums
• Support the General Manager, India and South Asia in their capacity as Brown-Forman’s representative on the board of ISWAI
• Coordinate lobbying on behalf of Brown-Forman, including ensuring compliance with the highest ethical standards and all applicable laws and governmental regulations
• Collaborate with internal colleagues in India and abroad (including the General Manager, India and South Asia, legal, supply chain, marketing, commercial and finance) regarding regulatory issues in India
• Coordinate the Responsibility agenda within Brown Forman India
• Drive and monitor policy and program interventions with government & industry bodies across the states, monitoring their progress and follow-up in furtherance of the company's growth plans and business objectives
• Provide timely information on any policy change with its implications to all regions
• Working with the Legal Manager, India, ensures the company’s policy positions are designed and implemented in compliance with relevant laws and company policies
• Keep a watching brief and communicate regularly on competitor positions and policy approaches with government
• Ensure all issues related to State Excise, Licensing, land matters and environment are timely anticipated and resolved
• Establishing, maintaining and developing healthy relationships with the central and state government authorities, Embassy contacts and apex trade bodies (example FICCI, CII, CCPA, ASCI, AmCham) for strategic engagement
• Overseeing all applications for permission / approvals/License / registration
• Working closely with the functional heads and managers, and keeping them well informed on relevant public policy issues, debates and trends; extend guidance and advice on issues involving clearance from Central/State government and statutory/regulatory authorities

What You Bring to the Table

• Public Affairs professional with a graduate degree and at least 10 years of applicable experience
• Experience sitting on or working for an industry trade association
• Familiarity with navigating the state and central government political systems in India
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. The successful candidate will be an organized thinker, a good planner and a strong advocate. The candidate must be able to communicate, even on highly complex matters, in short, readable memos
• Ability to influence and lobby successfully for company and industry positions. Brown-Forman places great emphasis on the ability to strategize and persuade; these qualities are fundamental to this position
• Dealing with Ambiguity - handles risk and uncertainty comfortably and has good judgment on how new ideas will play out in the market
• Highest reputation for integrity
• Good judgment. Brown-Forman recognizes that public policy, particularly in the beverage alcohol area, can be sensitive and controversial. The successful candidate will recognize these sensitivities and have demonstrated the ability to use common sense and exhibit balanced thinking
• Ability to set priorities, identify opportunities, and see matters through to successful completion. The successful applicant will be a self-starter capable of managing a variety of projects efficiently with minimal supervision

What Makes You Unique

• Experience in the spirits / alcobev industry strongly preferred
• Experience working in a heavily regulated industry within the region
• Understanding of:
  • the operation of excise, tax and customs laws and regulations in India
  • Food Safety Standards Association of India (FSSAI) labeling requirements
  • ASCI marketing guidelines and operation of the CCPA

Who We Are

We believe great people build great brands. And we know there is Nothing Better in the Market than a career at Brown-Forman. Being a part of Brown-Forman means you will grow both personally and professionally. You will have the opportunity to solve problems, seize opportunities, and generate bold ideas. You will belong to a place where teamwork matters and where you are encouraged to bring your best self to work.

What We Offer

Total Rewards at Brown-Forman is designed to engage our people to ensure sustainable and profitable growth for generations to come. As a premium spirits company, we offer equitable pay structures for individual and company performance alongside a premium employee experience. We offer a range of premium benefits that reflect our company values and meet the needs of our diverse workforce.

Brown-Forman Corporation is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. It is the policy of Brown-Forman Corporation to provide full and equal employment opportunities to all employees and potential employees without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status.