CORP AFFAIRS/HEAD OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS - REGIONAL (MW-South Region)

Serve as an expert to both internal and external entities on a variety of key public policy issues that allow Kroger to conduct business in the most productive way.

Act as Kroger's primary representative interacting with state and city elected officials to advocate for Kroger's interests on public policy.

In addition to direct advocacy and engagement with lawmakers, represent Kroger on formal/ informal boards, steering committees, working groups and coalitions that cover priority issue topics.

Often partnering with senior leaders, this role requires skills to inform and influence elected officials, as well as expertise on a wide range of public policy issues.

This work is performed in a dynamic, sometimes volatile, and highly visible political environment that involves significant reputation and brand considerations.

Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety.Minimum
- 5+ years of experience in business, government relations, public affairs, external engagement, or related field
- Proficiency in the legislative process, to analyze and react to political trends at all levels of government
- Ability to apply discretion and sensitivity while working with confidential information
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with a distinct ability to distill complex ideas into simple, understandable messaging
- Ability to build relationships with external partners and to work collaboratively across diverse groups in a way that positively supports Krogers brand
- Sound judgment with the ability to assess risks to Krogers reputation, work autonomously and manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to facilitate meetings, resolve conflict, build consensus, establish rapport, and collaborate effectively across departments and all levels of team members including senior leadership

Desired
- Bachelor's Degree communications or political Science- Maintain and deepen strategic relationships with high-ranking state and local elected officials, staff, and agencies
- Advocate on behalf of the company at state capitols, city council meetings, planning commission hearings and other public venues on policies that could influence the growth and competitiveness of the company
- Establish and maintain an intelligence-gathering strategy to proactively identify emerging trends to help the company navigate business decisions
- Manage a network of business and trade association partners in the region
- Maintain communication channels with trade associations to gather intelligence on legislative and political developments and provide feedback on proposed legislation
- Oversee budget for related memberships and sponsorships
- Oversee Kroger's use of contract lobbyists in the region, where applicable
- Establish and maintain working relationships with business leaders to develop a working knowledge of their business, priorities, and strategies, and use that to p...