Corporate Affairs Senior Advocacy Specialist

Position Summary

The Corporate Affairs Senior Advocacy Specialist will play a key role in implementing advocacy strategies that align with the company’s business objectives, regulatory priorities, and public affairs agenda. This position facilitates engagement with policymakers, industry associations, and key stakeholders to shape legislation, policy development and regulatory frameworks. The specialist will create compelling advocacy materials, lead issue-based campaigns, and ensure alignment with corporate business goals.

Reporting to the Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs, this role collaborates closely with internal teams, industry associations, and external partners to effectively represent the company’s interests across the North American legislative landscape. 

Job Description

1.    Advocacy Strategy and Execution:
             •    Develop and implement strategic advocacy initiatives that support the company’s corporate affairs agenda for both food and protective businesses.
             •    Monitor and analyze regulatory and legislative developments, organize into accessible databases, and identifying key risks and opportunities.
             •    Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align advocacy priorities and messaging.
2.    Policy Analysis & Communication:
             •    Prepare position papers, policy briefs, and advocacy materials on key business-impacting issues.
             •    Gather and utilize data from reputable technical and statistical sources to develop economic and technical support for advocacy positions.
             •    Simplify complex policy and regulatory matters into clear, actionable insights.
             •    Draft talking points, narratives, presentations, and briefing documents to support executive engagements with external stakeholders.
3.    Stakeholder Engagement:
             •    Build and maintain strong relationships with government officials, policymakers, industry groups, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
             •    Represent the company in industry forums, coalitions, and policy discussions.
             •    Work cross-functionally with marketing, R&D, legal, communications, and sustainability teams to ensure a cohesive advocacy approach.
4.    Campaigns & Public Affairs Initiatives
             •    Lead issue-based advocacy campaigns to advance the company’s policy priorities.
             •    Work with Corporate Communications and Marketing Communications to align messages and narratives.
             •    Organize visits for elected officials to tour both customer and company sites.
             •    Partner with the communications team to develop messaging that supports advocacy efforts.

Qualifications

            •    Bachelor’s degree required; an advanced degree in technical, legal or policy-related field is preferred.
            •    8+ years of experience in government affairs, public policy, regulatory affairs or sustainability.
            •    Strong understanding of policymaking processes, regulatory environments or packaging applications is a plus.
            •    Experience working with industry associations, government agencies and advocacy groups.
            •    Excellent written and verbal communications skills, with the ability to craft compelling advocacy materials. 
            •    Strong project management skills and ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities.
            •    Location: Charlotte, NC -- minimum two days a week in the corporate office preferred. 
            •    Willingness to travel up to 20% of the time.
            •    Valid driver’s license required.

This role is ideal for a proactive, strategic thinker who thrives in a dynamic environment and is passionate about shaping policies that impact the company and its industry.