Public Affairs Specialist, De/nl

Stellenbeschreibung

To support our overall goal, transforming H&M into the industry's most impactful ecosystem, we want to build a more strategic and aligned Sustainability, Public Affairs and Inclusion & Diversity organization, connected to the sales performance of each region, by focusing on meaningful relationships and added value for all customers, colleagues and partners. Sounds interesting to you? Then join us

With meaningful growth at the center of our thinking and acting, we foster local ownership in our regions and sales markets, adapt the global goals according to the local needs and align on clear measures - to take sustainable actions, that reinvest in a better tomorrow.

Public Affairs is about the expertise towards public authorities and governments and the team takes every opportunity to follow and be part of decision-making processes that may impact the business. Together we will focus on climate & circular, tech & sales as well as social & people topics. In collaboration with Sustainability and I&D, we create social and corporate responsibility, build strong relationships with stakeholders, create impact and contribute to our external reputation.

As a Public Affairs Specialist, you are the primary touch point within your local Country Sales Market for public affairs. You keep yourself informed about local developments within local government policy and regulations and support the wider business in responding to changes.

You are the one understanding our local business needs and support with lobbying matters where appropriate.You represent our brand in external forums and will carefully map external stakeholder relationships relevant to all areas of our business.

You have a strong focus on building relationships, collaboration and communication. You are passionate about sustainability and social impact efforts, to improve perception of the company, deepen credibility and enhance influence. You can negotiate, persuade and counsel effectively and understand the intersection of marketing, communications and public policy.

You are curious, always looking for innovation and motivated by variety and ever-changing surroundings.You have a strong passion for strategic and analytical thinking to stay calm in high pressure situations and when multiple projects or events need to be handled at the same time. You dare to challenge and take initiatives. You bring others onboard through inspiring, clear and including communication.

**Your key responsibilities in detail are**:
Public Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement

You set and develop public affairs objectives in collaboration with the Regional Public Affairs Manager and relevant stakeholders in your Country Sales Market
You closely follow policy and market developments related to fashion and retail, and develop and implement strategy for how to achieve our public affairs objectives
Where appropriate you will cooperate with government bodies to identify or react to opportunities to share H&M’s perspective on relevant issues
You will make and maintain contacts with important external stakeholders
You will hold close relationships with internal stakeholders across our Public Affairs, Sustainability, Expansion and Legal departments, amongst others, to take a 360 approach to H&M’s cross functional needs and strategy
You participate in local authority forums and stakeholder groups as a spokesperson for H&M
You engage strategically with local stakeholders to build relations, increase awareness about H&M’s sustainability work and identify stakeholder needs and issues that H&M needs to act upon
You use relevant networks, forums and events to build competence and keep up to date with developments in sustainability with special focus on identified focus areas

Colleague Engagement

You lead the work to motivate and inspire the internal organization through information, in line with the global strategy and global guidelines to make everyone a confident and proud to work for H&M
Work with relevant internal teams to establish and contribute towards ways of working to share information about our work internally

Business Support

Be the specialist within your local Country Sales Market(s) when it comes to PA related topics by staying up to date on the latest internal and external developments
Question the status quo and be driver and sparring partner for innovative approaches
Support successful local implementation of global initiatives

Education

A degree level education in public policy, communication or related fields
5 years of experience in a role focusing on public affairs or sustainability
A background in Politics, Law, Communications and related fields

**Skills**:
You have a passion for strategic and analytical thinking
You have excellent verbal communication skills, both internally with colleagues but also externally with stakeholders, and written communication skills
You are excellent at weighing different interests and adapting messages to dif