Senior Public Affairs Manager (f/m/d)

Senior Public Affairs Manager (f/m/d)

Do you want to excel in an exciting and an innovative environment in a global leading hygiene and health company by joining our Corporate Affairs team? We are now looking for a Senior Public Affairs Manager to lead our Essity Global Corporate Affairs work in France, Spain and Italy.

Essity operates globally in many markets and deals with increasing and diverse policy developments and legislative frameworks that have impact on its business. The number of actors that are simultaneously engaged with various agendas has increased and the issues raised by external stakeholders have multiplied. Public Affairs works proactively with and across all Essity’s Global and Business Units by contributing to and adapting their strategies to maintain or gain competitive advantage through public policies whilst contributing to societal progress and policy developments.

Sustainability, Health & Hygiene and Public Affairs, as part of Essity’s business model, is based on economic, environmental and social value creation. We have high ambitions and targets to continuously develop the sustainability agenda and to keep our position as a sustainability leader.

About the Role

Reporting to our Vice President Corporate Affairs at Essity, you will be part of the Essity Corporate Affairs team and community, as well as the Country Management teams working closely with the different business leadership, manufacturing teams and communication.

You will be responsible for understanding and influencing the policy environment in France, Spain and Italy to support Essity's business priorities. You will be responsible for developing Essity country positions in line with the overall Essity ambitions, drive external partnerships and stakeholder relations and ensure Essity contributes to public policy shaping and growing our business.

This position is located in Saint Ouen (Paris), France.

What You Will Do

• Public Affairs Strategy: Localize and execute the company’s Public Affairs strategy, defining country plans, objectives and KPIs aligned with local business priorities and Global and Regional Public Affairs plans.
• Policy & Regulatory Intelligence: Anticipate and monitor relevant public policy, regulatory and legislative developments, translating them into clear business risks, opportunities and recommended actions.
• Advocacy & Policy Positioning: Develop key policy messages and targeted advocacy plans on priority issues, ensuring alignment between local market needs and the company’s broader Public Affairs agenda.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with policymakers, NGOs and other key external stakeholders to strengthen advocacy, contribute to policy shaping and advance the company’s positioning.
• Trade Associations & Partnerships: Lead engagement with relevant trade associations, working groups and external partners, ensuring coordinated representation, information sharing and alignment across the organization.
• Issues Management & Collaboration: Partner with Communications, internal teams, agencies and other stakeholders to manage priority corporate issues and ensure consistent and effective communication.
• External Representation & Networks: Represent the company in relevant external forums and actively contribute to internal and external Public Affairs networks, sharing intelligence and best practices while strengthening advocacy and execution.

Who You Are

• 7–10 years of experience within relevant fields, ideally from public roles and/or a comparable industry.
• Very good knowledge of public policymaking and regulations, combined with a strong network of relevant stakeholders.
• Ability to interpret and communicate the impact of policies on the company, define successful strategies and actions, and turn strategy into results.
• Experience representing a company with public policy stakeholders, NGOs and other external stakeholders.
• Strong negotiation, influencing and advocacy skills, with the ability to manage conflicting interests and effectively communicate with stakeholders with different priorities.
• Strong networking, interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills.
• International and change management experience, with a proven ability to achieve results in a matrix organization.
• Strong decision-making and prioritization skills, combined with the ability to challenge stakeholders and a good understanding of business strategy, markets and the value chain.
• University degree in political science, law, economics, science or a related field.
• Fluency in English and French is mandatory.

What We Can Offer You
Our purpose, Breaking Barriers to Well-being, provides meaning to everything we do. Join us to improve well-being for people and drive positive change for society and the environment. At Essity, you'll feel valued, empowered to grow, and challenged to achieve business results in a collaborative and open atmosphere.

Innovate for Good | Excel Together | Be You with Us

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