Director, State Government Relations

Job Description :

About us 

With over 200 brands sold in nearly 180 countries, Diageo is home to some of the world’s most iconic drinks. From Johnnie Walker and Guinness to Tanqueray, Smirnoff and Don Julio, we craft brands chosen for life’s moments — from everyday connections to landmark celebrations. 

Bring your talent, curiosity and ambition, and strive for your personal best alongside people who challenge, support and learn from each other. Together, as one outstanding team, we keep learning, improving and raising the bar for our brands, our business and each other. 

Join us and play your part in making life’s moments mean a little more. 

About the Function

Corporate Relations (CR) is where we shape how the world sees Diageo, and how we show up in it.

Working at the intersection of business and society, this team builds trusted relationships with the people and organisations that matter most, from media and investors to governments, NGOs and partners. It’s fast-paced, high-impact work that protects our reputation while helping move our business forward.

Across communications, policy and ESG, you’ll collaborate globally, navigate complex challenges and play a key role in earning and maintaining our licence to operate.

It’s a space for people who are curious, credible, annfident in making their voice heard

About the Role

Diageo North America is seeking a Director, State Government Relations to lead the development and execution of government relations and public policy strategy across the Central Region.

The Director will be a senior representative of Diageo with state and local policymakers, regulators, trade associations and other external stakeholders and will play a critical role in protecting and advancing Diageo's reputation, license to operate and ability to grow.

This role requires a sophisticated understanding of multi-state government affairs, strong political and business judgment, and the ability to translate public policy developments into commercial implications and effective advocacy strategies. The Director will anticipate emerging legislative and regulatory risks and opportunities, develop and execute strategies aligned with Diageo's business priorities, and provide trusted counsel to senior leaders across the organization.

The Director will work closely across Corporate Relations and partner with Legal, Commercial, Finance, Regulatory, Supply and other functions to ensure Diageo brings an integrated perspective to complex policy issues. The role will also manage external government affairs consultants and engage trade associations, business organizations and other third-party stakeholders to advance shared priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Government Relations Strategy & Advocacy

• Develop and execute a comprehensive government relations strategy for an assigned portfolio of states, aligned with Diageo's North America business priorities and broader Corporate Relations strategy.
• Represent Diageo before governors' offices, state legislatures, regulatory agencies and other state and local policymakers, building trusted relationships and advocating effectively on behalf of the company.
• Establish clear advocacy objectives and strategies for priority issues and continuously evaluate progress, external developments and business needs to adapt plans as appropriate.
• Identify opportunities for Diageo to proactively shape the policy environment rather than solely respond to legislative and regulatory developments.
• Coordinate with federal government relations, communications and other Corporate Relations colleagues where issues cross jurisdictions or require an integrated external affairs strategy.

Policy, Legislative & Regulatory Leadership

• Anticipate and assess emerging legislative, regulatory and political developments that could create risks or opportunities for Diageo, its brands, customers and consumers.
• Lead state-level policy strategy on issues affecting the beverage alcohol sector and Diageo's business, including taxation, market access and route-to-market, digital commerce and delivery, regulatory modernization, product and category treatment, responsible drinking, sustainability and other emerging issues.
• Translate complex policy developments into clear commercial and reputational implications for senior leaders and business partners.
• Develop policy positions, advocacy materials, executive briefings, testimony, talking points and other communications that articulate Diageo's perspective credibly and persuasively.
• Provide timely, actionable counsel and recommendations to senior management on significant legislative and regulatory developments.

Stakeholder & Coalition Leadership

• Develop and maintain trusted relationships with strategically important, elected officials, regulators, policy leaders and other external stakeholders across the region.
• Build coalitions and third-party support around priority policy objectives, working where appropriate with customers, suppliers, business organizations, community partners and other stakeholders.
• Represent Diageo within relevant state and national trade associations and help shape association strategy, priorities and advocacy positions.
• Determine when Diageo should lead independently, work through a trade association or participate in a broader coalition to achieve the strongest policy outcome.

Business Partnership

• Develop a deep understanding of Diageo's commercial strategy, route to market, brands and business model and incorporate that understanding into government relations strategy.
• Build strong partnerships with Commercial, Legal, Finance, Regulatory, Supply and other functions to ensure policy priorities reflect business needs and that stakeholders understand the potential impact of government action.
• Bring an external perspective into the organization by identifying political, regulatory and societal trends that may affect Diageo's long-term strategy.
• Help business leaders understand the role government relations can play in enabling growth, managing risk and protecting Diageo's reputation and license to operate.

External Resource & Budget Management

• Select, direct and manage state government affairs consultants and other external resources, setting clear objectives and ensuring strong performance and accountability.
• Manage government relations resources and budgets effectively across the assigned region.
• Ensure consultants and external partners operate consistently with Diageo's standards, policies and advocacy priorities.

Governance, Compliance & Reputation

• Conduct all government relations activities with the highest standards of integrity and in accordance with applicable lobbying, ethics, disclosure and political-engagement requirements and Diageo policies.
• Partner with Legal, Compliance and Corporate Relations colleagues to identify and appropriately manage political, regulatory and reputational risks.
• Exercise sound judgment in representing Diageo externally and ensure advocacy positions reinforce Diageo's reputation as a responsible and constructive participant in public policy.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in political science, public policy, government, law, business, communications or a related field; advanced degree is a plus.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in state government affairs, public policy, lobbying, government service, political advocacy or a related field, with significant experience working across multiple states.
• Strong existing relationships within state government and demonstrated ability to develop trusted bipartisan relationships with policymakers and other stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of state legislative and regulatory processes and demonstrated experience developing and executing successful advocacy strategies.
• Strong political judgment and the ability to assess complex and rapidly evolving issues, identify implications and recommend a clear course of action.
• Demonstrated commercial acumen and ability to connect public policy issues to business strategy, customers, consumers and financial outcomes.
• Experience influencing through trade associations, coalitions and third-party organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to counsel and influence senior executives and collaborate effectively across a complex matrixed organization.
• Exceptional written, verbal and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate complex issues clearly and persuasively to internal and external audiences.
• Experience managing external consultants, budgets and multiple concurrent legislative and regulatory priorities.
• High degree of initiative, discretion, resilience and accountability, with the ability to operate independently in a fast-moving external environment.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout the assigned region and to other locations as business needs require.

Working with Us 

Flexibility is key to our success. Talk to us about what flexibility means to you so that you’re supported to manage your wellbeing and balance your priorities from day one.

Rewards & Benefit

We recognise and value performance, offering our people a highly competitive Rewards and Benefits package.

Feel inspired? Then this may be the opportunity for you. 

If you require a reasonable adjustment, please ensure that you capture this information when you submit your application.

Recruitment Scam Warning 

Protecting candidates is very important to us. All communications regarding your application will come from an email address ending in @diageo.com. In our recruitment process, we'll never ask for money. 

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At Diageo certain roles are eligible for additional rewards, including annual incentive payment and stock awards. US-based employees are eligible for healthcare benefits, retirement benefits , short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, wellness benefits and industry leading parental leave, among others.  (Benefits/perks listed may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Diageo and the country where you work.)  The salary range displayed is the salary range for the role’s primary location.