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Sustainability & Public Affairs Manager

Australian Beverages Council
  • Full Time
  • 12 month contract
  • Start date Monday 25 July 2021

About Us

The Australian Beverages Council Limited (ABCL) is the peak body representing the non-alcoholic drinks industry. Our Membership is comprised of micro, small, medium and large companies which produce the nation’s most iconic and niche drink brands. Our member companies produce around 95% of the industry’s volume and contribute $7+ billion to the economy each year whilst supporting over 46,000 jobs – figures we are incredibly proud of and honoured to represent such a dynamic industry. We offer powerful, unified voice that reaches a presence beyond individual companies to promote fairness of standards, regulations and policies concerning non-alcoholic beverages.

We have strong connections into the regional and global community of companies and associations and through our network are engaged with the workstreams of various organisations related to the United Nations including the World Trade Organisation, the World Health Organisation and the Codex Alimentarius, to name just a few. We are a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and are governed by a Board of Directors.

About the Role

The role of the Sustainability and Public Affairs Manager at the ABCL is dynamic, varied and crucial to progressing the industry’s environmental and sustainability agenda through a public affairs lens. The successful candidate will be a passionate advocate for positive change in the industry and whose expertise in sustainability will support the organisation’s engagement with government, the news media, a range of NGOs, consumers and most importantly, our diverse cohort of Member companies.

Working with our small team of experts and professionals from a range of stakeholders, the role will lead on several priority projects as directed by the Board and associated committees. The Sustainability and Public Affairs Manager provides secretariat services to the Beverage Industry Environmental Committee and the Public Affairs Committee, working closely with the committee Chairs to ensure timely delivery of the strategic priorities set out at the start of the year.

Reporting to the ABCL's Head of Corporate Affairs, the position of Sustainability and Public Affairs Manager is a unique opportunity for a committed individual to drive the continued transformation of how our organisation and industry engage with the Australian public, Government and importantly our Members on our shared sustainability agenda. This role will have full ownership of managing and delivering the ABCL’s Environmental Priorities Plan - a suite of priority workstreams designed to elevate the industry’s proactive and progressive management of environmental challenges through deep collaboration and close alignment with stakeholders.

Together with the ABCL's Chief Executive Officer, Head of Corporate Affairs and other senior colleagues from our Membership, the role will assist and be across all public, corporate and government engagements and programs, ensuring coherence across our engagement strategies. Many of these functions will be shared with the Head of Corporate Affairs.

With a dedicated Board, a strong leadership team, expert staff, and a proven record of excellence in advocacy, the organisation is seeking a skilled, motivated, industrious professional who is passionate about advancing the position of our fascinating and diverse industry with key stakeholders.

About You

You’ve experience in a similar role or organisation, are committed to doing right by people and planet and have the passion to advocate for continuous improvement in a complex and dynamic policy space. Proven experience in managing a diverse group of stakeholders with the ability to be both patient and tenacious are paramount. Acronyms like APCO, NEPM, CDS/ CRS are not new to you, and a sound knowledge and understanding of these organisations/ forums and their relationship with the non-alcoholic drinks industry will hold you in good stead to hit the ground running in this role.

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Candidates must have experience in Sustainability in a FMCG environment for this role
  • Extensive and relevant experience in corporate sustainability policies and practices
  • Have an ability to influence, persuade and build confidence and trust at senior management level in order to drive the integration and alignment of communications in sustainability
  • Possess strategic thinking, creative solutions orientation, and planning skills and experience - able to see the 'big picture' whilst also possessing an eye for detail
  • Highly professional communications and influencing skills including external representation, presentation and engagement with senior stakeholders and media
  • Experience advising senior managers on complex internal and external communications and managing all communication channels

Highly desirable/ regarded

  • Exposure to associations or member-based organisations
  • Experience in sustainable packaging policies/ initiatives and environmental challenges
  • Working knowledge of the end-to-end beverage supply chain from manufacture to container collection/ recycling
  • Prior experience working with industry stakeholders such as the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO)
  • Working knowledge of Container Deposit/ Refund schemes
  • Experience/ exposure to Government relations and public affairs management

This is a full-time role with competitive remuneration located in our Sydney office. The ABCL embraces flexibility in remote and office location. For a confidential discussion please contact Cathy Cook – Head of Corporate Affairs at [email protected], using the subject line: Sustainability & Public Affairs Manager enquiry via EthicalJobs.

How to apply

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