Corporate Affairs Director, Pet Nutrition Central Eurasia

Job Description: Job Purpose/Overview: Corporate Affairs (CA) at Mars protects and enhances the company’s reputation and stakeholder relationships to advance business strategy. CA connects Mars with its external environment, navigating regulatory, political, and public landscapes to foster a supportive business climate.

Key responsibilities include

developing public affairs and communication strategies aligned with global frameworks and PN CEA OE objectives, and ensuring strong internal stakeholder alignment. CA builds and safeguards corporate and brand reputation, manages crises per global protocols, and engages Key Opinion Leaders to champion Mars among veterinarians, breeders, and pet owners.

CA also safeguards business freedom to operate and advances the Medeu project through strategic advocacy.

Key Responsibilities

Lead corporate reputation by promoting science to stakeholders, delivering excellent internal and external customer service, ensuring clear communication and strong regulatory strategy. Advocate for fair trade and sensible regulation, support “Medeu” project and collaborate internally to ensure OE strategy delivery, manage crises.

Navigate complex regulatory and political risks, and uphold food safety, quality, and site safety standards with a commitment to quality culture. Context and Scope: The functional areas covered by the position are: a) Public Affairs, b) Regulatory Affairs, c) Internal & External Communication, d) Scientific Communication, e) Consumer Care.

I. Public Affairs: Establish and nurture strong relationships with government officials, regulators, and key stakeholders to foster a supportive business climate and collaboratively shape a public agenda aligned with internal interests. Proactively advocate for legislative and executive actions on strategic matters by leveraging resources such as trade associations, issue coalitions, direct relationships, and external advocacy, ensuring all efforts support the company’s business objectives.

Ensure all engagements with government officials, business associations, and external advocacy are conducted professionally and in full compliance with applicable ethics laws, the Mars Code of Conduct, and the company’s corporate values. Provide leadership and exercise strong influence within local Pet Food Associations and GAPFA (Global Alliance for Pet Food Associations), representing Mars’ interests and advancing the industry agenda II.

Regulatory Affairs This position is responsible for developing a comprehensive strategy to open new trade lanes, unlocking new sourcing routes to satisfy business needs, ensure uninterrupted product supply and overall business continuity. In addition, the role is accountable for formulating and executing strategies to establish and strengthen relationships with relevant government agencies.

Key functional responsibilities include: Maximizing opportunities and minimizing risks by guiding business decisions through regulatory insight and establishing effective governance structures. Ensuring full compliance with product-related regulations, including but not limited to: ingredient standards, labeling, product claims, product registration, packaging, and addressing import/export challenges.

Navigating the complex regulatory environment of the CEA by leveraging deep knowledge of relevant laws and cultivating strong relationships with health authorities to proactively mitigate border and compliance issues. Building strong influence within local trade associations to advocate for and defend Mars’ business interests.

III. Communication (Internal and External) and Crisis Management: A Corporate Affairs Director acts as the strategic bridge between an organization and its stakeholders, managing both internal communication to drive associate engagement and external communication to build corporate and brand reputations.

Key responsibilities include

crafting corporate narratives, managing media relations, navigating crisis communication, and aligning public policy and government relations with business goals. In collaboration with OE’s Leadership Team, develop and oversee internal and external communication platforms. Effectively align internal and external resources, including funding, to achieve the overall communication strategy.

The professional is responsible for:

• Associate Engagement and Communication : developing internal communication platforms and creating campaigns that communicate company goals and values to employees.
• Change Management: leading annnouncements on structural changes, mergers, leadership changes, or major policy changes
• Internal Branding: ensuring associate alignment with the company brand, mission, and culture.
• Leadership Communication: preparing and managing OE wide communications
• Media Relations: acting as the company spokesperson, drafting press releases, monitoring media coverage, and building relationships with journalists.
• Reputation & Crisis Management: protecting the company’s reputation during crises by providing swift, accurate public messaging to mitigate damage. Acting as communication lead as part of CALM process.
• Government Relations & Public Policy: monitoring policy, advocacy on regulatory changes, and maintaining relationships with government officials.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): promoting the company’s ethical, environmental, and community engagement initiatives.
• Digital Presence: managing the official corporate voice across external channels such as websites and social media. IV. Scientific Communications Scientific Communication has always played a critical role in the delivery of our scientific message to all stakeholders. These stakeholders include internal stakeholders (associates) and external stakeholders include (but not limited to) veterinarians, Key Opinion Leaders, breeders, NGO’s and pet owners. The jobholder is responsible for the development of the local market scientific communication strategy and to ensure that this is aligned with the local market priorities. The jobholder is also responsible for building and executing scientific communication programs and contents for all stakeholders to support the sales goals of the business and help drive our brand reputation.

Education

& Professional Qualifications: Preferred fields including Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Business Administration or Political Science. Master’s Degree: A Master’s degree (e.g., MBA, MSc in Communications, International Relations, or Public Policy) Specialized Training: Relevant professional training in public affairs, corporate governance, digital strategy, or sustainability (ESG) is highly beneficial Knowledge / Experience: Experience: A minimum of 10–15 years of relevant experience is typical, with at least 5 years in a senior managerial or leadership role.

Solid experience in regulatory affairs and scientific communications (Minimum 10 years). Sector Expertise: Experience in corporate affairs, government relations or public relations. Proven leadership, interpersonal and consensus building skills. Strong ability to work in a team environment. Key Mars Leadership Competencies: Global Perspective Strategic Mindset Balances Stakeholders Persuades Business Insights Decision Quality Communicates Effectively Key Functional Competencies & Technical Skills: Issue & Crisis Management Media Relations and Content Management Trade Association Management Fundamentals of Brand PR Strategic Communication Corporate Affairs at MARS