The Role

The purpose of the role is to manage Imperial’s external environment in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) Cluster, through translating Global CLA strategy into robust framework for the CEE Cluster, ensuring proactive risk management, shaping legislative environment and unlocking business potential in traditional and new growth areas. There are four key components

- Managing Imperial’s legal responsibilities and safeguarding Imperial’s reputation by ensuring appropriate compliance with laws and regulations and internal policies, codes and processes
- Monitoring, and reporting on, the external environment to enable efficient and effective decision making.
- Managing and mitigating external risks (regulation, illicit trade, excise)
- Proactively shaping the external environment to support Imperial’s commercial agenda

The Head of CLA for CEE is a pivotal role in within the CEE cluster management team (CLT) and is responsible for a team of 18 covering 11 markets. The role reports into the General Manager for CEE and has a dotted line to the Director of CLA for the AAACE Region.

Principle Accountabilities

• Developing the strategic framework for CLA in CEE Defining focus areas, priorities, resourcing and objectives in partnership with the Cluster Management Team, the AAACE Region and Group.
• Leading and driving priority external campaigns to deliver agreed objectives
• Facilitate business growth by providing strategic legal and regulatory guidance on product development, marketing strategies and market execution
• Developing and reviewing processes to ensure that Imperial complies with legal and regulatory requirements and adheres to our code of conduct and governance obligations
• Managing, supporting and developing a remote team of CLA professionals

Performance Indicators

• Excise structures and rates that are beneficial to our portfolio and pricing decisions
• Beneficial regulatory environment for NGP (preferential treatment vis-à-vis combustibles)
• Achievements against agreed annual CLA objectives
• Function engagement scores
• No compliance and competition law breaches
• A highly professional, diverse and inclusive team
• Enhancing the company reputation and perception amongst external stakeholders, nurturing strategic relationships with relevant external non-governmental bodies and industry associations
• Representing Imperial at external events and acting as a spokesperson
• Manage external agencies, political consultants, third-party stakeholders and law firms

Skills and Experience Required

• Experience of managing external advocacy and/or communication strategies/campaigns
• An in-depth understanding of political decision-making processes and stakeholders
• An existing network of relevant political/regulatory stakeholders
• An understanding/appreciation of excise, regulation, illicit trade, excise and new generation products
• Experience of working in the tobacco sector and/or regulated industries

What We Offer

In return for playing your part in building our future, you will receive a comprehensive compensation package with salary, bonus scheme and many extras including a great pension scheme, generous holiday entitlement and hybrid/flexible working opportunities as well inspiring places to work and collaborate with purpose. Here at Imperial we will give you the opportunity to grow and learn, innovate at pace and be a part of our purpose to forge a path to a healthier future for moments of relaxation and pleasure for our consumers.

Everyone Belongs

Everyone belongs in Imperial. We are proud of being a truly inclusive organisation. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, nationalities, disabilities, sexual orientation, religions or beliefs and of neuro divergence. We give fair and equal consideration to all our applicants. Please contact us at recruitment@impbrands.com to let us know if we can provide support in helping you complete an application and/or attend an interview.

About Us

We're a truly international company, fourth largest in our industry and operating across 120 markets. An inclusive, innovative global FMCG business supported by 25,000 employees. As we embrace a new era of growth, we are transforming. Our ways of working and culture are driven by a challenger mindset, constantly questioning the status quo where people can bring their best selves to work. Our agility and collaboration are driving our ambitions, innovation and success all supported by our award-winning development programmes that creates exciting and rewarding career opportunities for all.  Encouraging inclusion at local levels and supporting a developing and robust diversity agenda globally, we’re fully committed to creating and maintaining an environment that celebrates and respects difference.