Woolworths

• New Zealand/Auckland or Wellington Based

• Regular travel interstate and to Sydney

Ready to make an impact?

Woolworths New Zealand is seeking an experienced and influential Head of Government Relations & Affairs (NZ).  This pivotal senior leadership role is responsible for building and protecting reputation, driving an integrated and coordinated government relations and industry affairs effort across all business units. You'll directly engage with policymakers, think tanks, industry associations, academia, and key opinion formers to shape public policy relevant to our retail, supply chain, and broader business interests.

You will design and execute a comprehensive program of external government engagement, fostering long-term relationships while addressing immediate and medium-term business advocacy needs and issues management. Maintaining and growing our reputation will be key, through the development and implementation of innovative and proactive advocacy.

You will align policy development to support Woolworths Group and  NZ's commercial and reputational interests, with a specific focus on our growth ambitions and evolving customer-centric business model. 

What you'll do | Hei mahi

Reporting to the Group’s Director, Reputation, Government & Industry Affairs, you'll develop and implement the strategic framework for our government relationships, leading engagement with the New Zealand Government, educating key stakeholders on our commercial priorities, and proactively influencing policy by understanding emerging issues. You'll also facilitate senior leadership interactions, build crucial relationships with government and industry partners, and manage all communications. You will also: 

• Effectively deliver external government and stakeholder engagement including opportunities to demonstrate leadership for Woolworths NZ with and to governments

• Build effective relationships with key internal stakeholders and feedback on strong delivery of advice and strategy deliver government engagement 

• Engage in trusted relationships with key external stakeholders and partners

• Identify conflicts when they arise and deals with them openly, seeking help where required.

What you’ll bring | Hei koha

• Proven ability to design and execute government relations strategies within a complex business environment.

• Highly collaborative work ethic, and the capacity to drive strong horizontal leadership with internal stakeholders

• Results driven with effective negotiation and influencing skills

• A keen interest in and understanding of the evolving relationship between large corporates and societal expectations of corporate conduct.

• Demonstrated ability in building strong relationships with senior leaders internally, while also being able to engage externally to bring about change.

• Provide support across the function through contributing ideas and sharing workload. 

• Self-motivated with the ability to cope with frequent changes of focus and pace in response to a dynamic and changing internal and external environment.

Our Benefits

• Genuine flexibility in how and where you work

• Ongoing development within an ANZ team and access to COE/specialist career opportunities

• Everyday Rewards team card, providing a range of benefits including discounts and bonus points for groceries and discounted online shopping delivery

• Banking and insurance (health, life etc) discounts 

• Global and local career opportunities