Senior Manager - Corporate Affairs

Purpose

The Head of Corporate Affairs leads the strategic alignment of the Corporate Affairs division and the core disciplines of Stakeholder Engagement, Corporate Communication, and CSR. Operating as the central voice for the organization, this role safeguards and enhances the reputation of the company by developing and implementing measures to measure and manage the company's reputation and strengthen the corporate brand as 'One Lidl'.

• Development and implementation of a national 360° communication strategy including political communication and issue management.
• Responsibility for internal and external communication, including content creation, as well as active and reactive media work taking into account the international and national communication strategy.
• Oversee the creation of an overarching editorial and content plan for internal and external communication to ensure a consistent narrative around the corporate brand.
• Synchronize all internal communication activities in cooperation with other departments (e.g., marketing and employer branding) in the sense of a one-brand strategy.
• Ensure binding content and consistent internal messages through cross-departmental and cross-thematic coordination.
• Build and manage strategic engagement with relevant internal stakeholders and opinion leaders.
• Advising and empowering management and specialist departments on strategic communication challenges.
• Responsibility for ensuring a regular analysis of the company's reputation and anchoring reputation as a relevant key performance indicator within the company.

• Responsibility for the development and implementation of strategic and sustainable stakeholder engagement for the effective representation of company interests, particularly in the political arena.
• Representation of interests in the national political environment and in regulatory processes.
• Representing the company or supporting management in relevant associations, organizations, and initiatives.

• Developing, implementing, and regularly adapting the CSR strategy, measures, and projects in coordination with Corporate Affairs International.
• Ensuring CSR reporting capability in the country in accordance with the guidelines specified by Lidl International and ensuring compliance with national regulatory CSR reporting obligations.
• Responsibility for organizing CSR initiatives to raise awareness of social and environmental issues in line with the Lidl guidelines.
• Responsibility for coordinating the national company's donation activities in accordance with international guidelines and processes.
• Advising and empowering management and specialist departments on CSR based on trend analyses and assessments of the market, politics, and society.

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Corporate Affairs, Business, or a related discipline.
• 5-7 years of progressive experience in corporate communications, public relations, or stakeholder engagement, ideally within the discount grocer or broader retail sector.
• In-depth knowledge of proactive and reactive media relations, crisis communication, and corporate reputation management.
• Established professional network among journalists, political stakeholders, and industry opinion leaders in the US market.
• Deep understanding of stakeholder engagement, particularly political stakeholder engagement and CSR initiatives.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and strategic presentation skills, with the proven ability to advise executive management and craft compelling corporate narratives.
• Occasional willingness to travel to support national events, store openings, or stakeholder meetings.

• Ability to travel up to ~15% of the time, which may include weekends and evenings, as needed.
• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.
• Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.
• May use keyboards, telephone, and standard office equipment in the course of a normal workday.
• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.

• Personal
  
  Competencies:
  
  Proactively drives the structural and procedural advancement of the department. Confidently adapts to change, upholds rigorous quality standards, and maintains a healthy balance between team workload and overall…