Regional External Affairs Director APAC

Job Description:

The Regional External Affairs Director is responsible for supporting Airbus strategic interests, ensuring alignment with regional policies, fostering government and industry partnerships, and mitigating geopolitical risks. 

He/she is responsible for influencing and  bringing local intelligence back to Central, as well as Sustainability Advocacy.

Key relationships:

The role reports to the Head of (HO) Regional Business Growth APAC. The incumbent will closely interact with the following key stakeholders:

• President of Region

• Head of Regional International Cooperation & Offsets (IC&O) APAC

• APAC Airbus Chief Representatives (ACRs);

•  International Government Affairs;

• Regional Heads of Airbus Helicopters and Airbus Defence & Space;

• Other key members of the APAC Leadership Team, especially in Commercial Aircraft Sales, Services and Communications.

Key deliverables:

• Business development strategy and execution:

  • Provides deep insights on relevant decision-enabling, market positioning intelligence

• Geopolitical analysis and risk management

  • Monitors and analyzes geopolitical developments and trends regionally that impact the aerospace industry

  • Assesses potential risks related to political instability, trade restrictions, and regulatory changes 

  • To develop, keep current and coordinate Country Briefs across APAC to use with consistency and on-point messaging to engage visiting company senior executives and Home Country officials, building ‘single source of truth’ facts about the Airbus presence and business opportunities, useful data and analysis of country geopolitical issues, and key aligned talking points that support business objectives, issues management and campaigns;

  • Provide monthly reports and strategic recommendations to Head of Region (HoR) and Executive Vice President (EVP) International, to support decision-making and mitigate risks

  • Act as a regional focal point for crisis response related to geopolitical issues, including sanctions, trade disputes and political conflicts

• External stakeholder engagement & Sustainability advocacy

  • Builds and maintains privileged relationships with key stakeholders: government officials, regulatory agencies, industry associations, think tanks, (Nongovernmental Organizations) NGOs…

  • Promotes Airbus sustainability roadmap, projects and partnerships with all relevant stakeholders, including but not limited to: governments, customers, business partners, NGOs…

  • Represents the company in regional forums, conferences, and high-level meetings and reports back to Central

  • Explores, maps and scouts local stakeholders in consideration of priorities and criteria - Aligns internally for down-selection of partnerships

  • Co-builds and drum beats the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and other regional roadmap by enabling database accuracy and providing field information internally

• Crisis management and communication:

  • Collaborate with security office and corporate communications and support them in crafting messaging on sensitive issues and maintain a positive public image in the region

• Ethics & Compliance:

  • Maintains Airbus' licence to operate in their countries by ensuring adherence to local laws and regulations and the Ethics & Compliance (E&C) programme

General:

• Contribute to the overall Airbus Asia-Pacific management team

• Comply with Airbus Singapore management policies.

• Lead E&C Training and implementation of practices for direct teams in Government Affairs and International Cooperation & Offsets

• Support and contribute to safety, ethics and compliance, diversity and inclusion activities of Airbus.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Aviation, Public Affairs or related

• At least 8 years of experience in a similar role or function

• Experience in External Affairs environment

• Deep knowledge of Asia Pacific and working with governments across Asia

• Experience in running commercial campaigns, especially in defense sales capacity 

• Experience with, and deep knowledge of, the governmental affairs discipline, especially identification of stakeholders with relevance to aviation, and processes of government decision-making across the region (especially the differences across jurisdictions);

• Strong ability to structure and develop market analyses, with knowledge in financial modeling, and scenario analysis

• Extensive external cross-industry network to build pipeline of partners regionally and globally

• Ability to lead cross-divisional and cross-functional teams and proven experience

• Outstanding written and oral communication skills;

• Good executive maturity, which allows the incumbent to work constructively with, and take direction and inputs from, senior leaders of the business units, and APAC HQ and International;

•  Strong collaboration skills to ensure the incumbent is seen as adding value and offering strategic counsel, rather than merely creating another reporting process or line;

• Strong organizational ability and exceptional diplomatic skills;

• Ability to prioritize projects and manage workload independently;

• An ideas person, who wants to try new approaches to achieve key objectives;

• A self-starter, independent, is accountable and responsible for the delivery of commitments and can work well with colleagues

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

Airbus Singapore Private Limited

Employment Type:

Permanent

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Experience Level:

Professional

Job Family:

Legal

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