Head of External Affairs, GB

Sysco is the global leader in foodservice. As we continue to grow, we are seeking a highly experienced Head of External Affairs, GB to lead our engagement with government, trade bodies, and media. This is an opportunity to join a market leader in a visible and influential role, shaping the future of our business and the wider industry. This role reports to the Communications Director, GB with a dotted line to the Global Vice President of Government Affairs, US.

The role of Head of External Affairs, GB leads Sysco GB’s engagement strategy with government, trade bodies, and media. The role will play a pivotal role in shaping Sysco GB’s external profile, ensuring that we effectively engage with policymakers, industry associations, and the media to support our business objectives.

This role is a home-based role with regular travel for external meetings and to UK Sysco sites so flexibility will be required for this role.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

Relationship Building:

• Build and maintain high-level relationships with key stakeholders in UK Government, trade bodies, regulators, industry influencers and the media
• Participate in meetings of government officials and manage Sysco engagement in these meetings that advance our public policy priorities.
• Providing expert advice to senior leadership on political, regulatory, and reputational issues affecting the business
• Help manage official engagement with public officers (e.g. host facility tours, attend events).
• Work cooperatively with business leaders, devise and execute a plan to leverage association relationships to promote and protect Sysco’s business interests.
• Work closely with Global Government Relations and Communications functions

Strategic Planning:

• Develop and execute a strategic external affairs programme aligned with Sysco GB’s business priorities 
• Manage Sysco GB’s media relations strategy, acting as a spokesperson where appropriate and ensuring our messaging is clear, consistent, and aligned with our corporate values
• Position Sysco spokespeople in appropriate forums
• Improve public official knowledge of Sysco’s commitments and corporate social responsibility priorities - e.g. economic impact, environmental stewardship, operational efficiency, charitable giving - among public policy leaders.

Advocacy and Policy:

• Assess and prioritise short- and long-term risks and impacts of United Kingdom government actions on Sysco’s business interests.
• Identify opportunities to remove legislative or regulatory barriers to growth.
• Help develop and execute an advocacy engagement plan to eliminate or mitigate highest risk issues; seize opportunities to support the business directly; and manage an effective network of national and local allies to identify future threats and opportunities more proactively.
• Represent Sysco GB in key industry forums, helping to shape policy discussions and advocate for the interests of Sysco and the broader foodservice sector

Crisis & Preparedness:

• Lead crisis and issues management, ensuring swift and effective responses to external challenges
• Manage reputation elements of business risk

Team Leadership:

• Management of a communications manager in GB

• Management of a retained agency
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across Sysco

About you:

To be successful in this role you will have a strong and established network across UK Government, trade associations, and the wider business community and a proven track record in senior-level communications, public affairs, and government relations roles, ideally with policy/political experience in the food and drink wholesale/distribution business or related industries.

You’ll posses a deep understanding of UK political and regulatory landscapes, with experience the ability to anticipate and navigate emerging policy developments and exceptional communication skills, with experience in media engagement and crisis management.

Finally you will have a strategic mindset, with the ability to translate complex policy and regulatory issues into actionable business strategies and experience working in a complex, matrixed organisation, ideally in food, retail, or consumer goods.

What we offer:

• A competitive salary
• Company car or car allowance of £8,000 per annum
• Family private medical healthcare cover
• Pension scheme
• Generous holiday allowance of 25 days, with option to purchase additional holidays + bank holidays
• Huge discounts on all sorts of lovely food and award-winning products through our staff shop
• Discounts on Cinema tickets, shopping and earn cashback on purchases through Sodexo.
• Recognition awards and Incentives
• Real career opportunities - being part of Sysco, the world’s leading foodservice business, opens up a world of possibility

At Sysco GB everyone is welcome. We don’t want you to ‘fit our culture’ we want you to help define it and we actively celebrate the unique talents of each and every colleague. We don’t just look at your CV, we’re more focused on who you are and your potential. As part of our values, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone has a voice, is appreciated and has the same opportunities. We work hard to ensure that everyone feels part of our business, as we care for one another and connect the world through food and trusted partnerships. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that everyone belongs and thrives at Sysco GB and we recognise that Sysco GB can only thrive when everyone feels they belong. We'll do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, speak to our resourcing team who will be happy to support you.