Manager, Government Affairs

About the Job

About This Position

At Henkel, you can build on a strong legacy and leading positions in both industrial and consumer businesses to reimagine and improve life every day. If you love challenging the status quo, join our community of over 47,000 pioneers around the globe.

Our teams at Henkel Consumer Brands continuously drive the evolution in dynamic categories: Laundry & Home Care and Hair. With our trusted brands, including Persil and Schwarzkopf, our cutting-edge technologies and our disruptive solutions, you will have countless opportunities to explore new paths and develop your skills. Grow within our future-led businesses, our diverse and vibrant culture, and find a place where you simply belong. All to leave your mark for more sustainable growth. Dare to make an impact?

As the Head of Public Affairs & Government Relations, you will develop and implement a comprehensive government affairs strategy that aligns with Henkel’s goals and priorities.

We are seeking an experienced leader with a deep understanding of the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) industry and the issues impacting this sector. You will support our business by advocating for the company’s interests, engaging policymakers and influencers, and interacting with trade associations to shape local, state, and federal government policies and initiatives critical to our business.

What You’ll Do

• Legislative & Political Monitoring: Monitor and analyze relevant political, legislative, and regulatory developments and assess the potential impact for Henkel.
• Developing & Executing Advocacy Strategies: Prioritize impacting topics and develop & execute respective advocacy strategies at local, state, and federal levels to avoid harm and create competitive advantages.
• Relationship Building & Creating Political Goodwill: Analyze, build, and maintain relationships with key government officials, stakeholders, and industry associations.
• Internal Advisory Role: Advise Henkel’s senior leadership on public policy issues, ensuring that the political dimension of Henkel’s business is aligned with its overall business objectives and investment strategies.
• Steering of Projects, Ad-hoc Teams, and External Consultants: Manage internal and external networks as well as consultancies providing advice for public affairs and government relations (PAG) relevant topics.

What Makes You a Good Fit

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, government relations, or a related field is desired. An advanced degree is preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in government affairs, lobbying, or a related role, with a strong understanding of the legislative and regulatory process – ideally in the CPG sector with good understanding of issues impacting businesses including, but not limited to, plastics, packaging, ingredient restrictions, taxes/tariffs, and EU regulations.
• Knowledge of political institutions & processes, respective personal contacts, and familiarity with sustainability matters and the role of NGOs in the CPG industry are an asset.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently, show proactive initiative, and be willing to go the extra mile. Be creative, don’t expect to be told what to do next, and suggest new solutions to problems.
• Ability to work under pressure, multi-task and prioritize, results-oriented with strong attention to detail.
• Good communicator and easy networker, effective in both external and internal organizations.
• Ability to translate business language into politically relevant arguments (and vice versa), and to manage complex and layman language.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with government officials, policymakers, and industry stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills as well as good project management abilities; demonstrated capacity to manage complex policy matters.
• Experience with global organizations is preferred.
• Open and reliable, with a clear ethical foundation.

Some Perks of Joining Henkel

• Flexible work scheme with flexible hours, hybrid and work-from-anywhere policies
• Diverse national and international growth opportunities
• Global wellbeing standards with health and preventive care programs
• Gender-neutral parental leave for a minimum of 8 weeks
• Employee Share Plan with voluntary investment and Henkel matching shares
• Annual performance bonus
• Comprehensive healthcare including mental health support and 401(k) plan matched by employer
• Family benefits including fertility support, fully paid parental leave, caregiver services
• Paid time off, sickness leave, holidays, volunteer time off, summer Fridays & more

The salary for this role is $125,000.00 – $142,000.00. This is the range that we in good faith anticipate relying on when setting wages for this position. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.

Henkel does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Unsolicited referrals and resumes are considered Henkel property and therefore, Henkel will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited referral.

Henkel is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.

Apply here