Job description – Public Affairs Director Nordics

The beverage carton industry and its European association, ACE

ACE provides a European platform for beverage carton manufacturers and their paperboard suppliers to represent the industry at EU level and support the implementation of the industry’s 2030 Roadmap (www.beveragecarton.eu). Engaging with stakeholders and partners seeking high environmental stewardship, it contributes expertise to EU policy, legislation and standard‐setting.

The beverage carton industry is represented in 7 EU Member States + UK and CH by beverage carton national associations. Regional directors also represent the industry in Italy, Iberia and South East Europe.

ACE’s mandate is to represent the interests of its members at European level and to coordinate action at EU and national level on advocacy and communications.

ACE members include beverage carton producers Tetra Pak, SIG Group and Elopak; they develop, manufacture and market systems for the packaging and distribution of food, and produce packaging material at 20 plants in Europe. A great majority of the paperboard used by ACE members in beverage cartons in Europe is produced by Stora Enso and Billerud who are also members of ACE.

Job purpose:

ACE is seeking to hire a Public Affairs Director to represent the beverage carton industry and advocate and communicate on its behalf in the Nordics. 

The industry seeks to hire a 100% FTE but flexibility is possible (70-80% FTE).

The Director shall be located in Sweden or Denmark and be able to travel to meet public affairs stakeholders. The Director will work from home or a coworking location.

 

The Public Affairs Director Nordics will shape, drive and implement the advocacy and communication strategy of the beverage carton industry in the Nordics (focus on Sweden and Denmark) to ensure a regulatory environment that supports the beverage carton industry objectives and positions the industry as sustainable and low carbon.

She/he will:

• Monitor local/national policy and regulatory developments;
• Manage relevant policy issues related to sustainability, as bioeconomy, circular economy (incl. waste and EPR for packaging), and Food Contact Material;
• Build and manage relationships with decision makers, government officials and agencies and their key influencers and trade associations;
• Lead the development and implementation of advocacy campaigns to support industry’s objectives;
• Shape and execute industry communication campaigns via print and social media; represent the industry in events and media;
• Advise, support and closely collaborate with the local teams of the ACE members on all advocacy and communication matters; advise and support the development and enforcement of the industry EU advocacy and communication.

Reporting line: 

The Public Affairs Director Nordics will be part of the ACE EU Team reporting to the ACE Director General. She/he will be part of the ACE Regulatory Affairs Working Group, and work in close cooperation with the network of Beverage Carton National Associations, with relevant representatives of ACE members in respective markets, the European platform to improve and increase the recycling of beverage cartons and other similar fibre-based multi-material packaging in Europe.

Key responsibilities:

The Public Affairs Director Nordics shall support and implement the regulatory affairs strategy and Operating Plan in order to meet the objectives defined jointly with the ACE Board of Directors.

The mandate is centered around three main workstreams:

• Advocacy – in support of EU regulatory developments and national initiatives.
• Communication on the assets of beverage cartons and in support to advocacy and awareness raising.
• Recycling – knowledge about recycling rates, EPR schemes, relationship with PROs, , etc.

Experience and skills

• Minimum 6-8 years of professional experience gained in a similar work area; preferably related to packaging industry or food and beverage.
• Degree in environmental sciences, policy and public affairs, communication or similar.
• Established political network and ability to map relevant stakeholders.
• Experience in regulatory affairs and advocacy and ability to create an advocacy agenda.
• Understanding of EU policy process is an advantage.
• Knowledge of the Nordic market, political and regulatory environment.
• Knowledge of the packaging industry, recycling, sustainability and circular economy.
• Networking and communication skills. Strong ability to build relationships and coalitions.
• Ability to develop and implement effective and practical advocacy solutions and campaigns.
• Self-going personality with good leadership and inter-personal skills, culturally sensitive, good understanding of the corporate environment.
• Ability to work independently, coordinate responses and push for results.

Languages: Fluent in written and spoken English, and Swedish or Danish. Knowledge of Finnish and Norwegian are an advantage.

Candidates should submit their CV to Annick Carpentier, Director General of ACE latest by COB 29.09.23: annick.carpentier@beveragecarton.eu