Area Head of Anti-Illicit Trade

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. With products like VELO, VUSE and GLO we are on a mission to decrease the health impact of our industry

To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to Be The Change. Come, join us on this journey!

FUNCTION: CORA – Corporate & Regulatory Affairs

SUB FUNCTION: External Affairs

CITY & COUNTRY: London, UK

Western Europe markets are particularly affected by the increasing illicit, duty-non-paid, non-compliant smoking and smokeless products. Only in the UK, 4.5m electronic cigarettes were seized in 2023, four times more than 2022. This represents a significant NTO loss for BAT.

The new Head of AIT policy will drive Western Europe AIT advocacy and engagement, with a special focus on New Categories and online illicit trade, to secure that our transformation strategy is not hindered by illicit products reaching minors and incompliant products affecting our reputation.

The job holder will support the development/ pressure testing of End Market AIT plans, actively lead the implementation of global and regional AIT policy initiatives, if and when aligned with Western Europe priorities.

What is the direct impact of this role on the team or organization?

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Being responsible to drive Western Europe AIT policy and regulatory engagement
• Collating and analysing AIT insights to provide understandable reporting to the business
• Providing End Market support in creating actionable AIT strategies with clear deliverables
• Developing regulatory arguments using AIT issues in support of our regulatory agenda
• Building relations with rest of the industry and appropriate bodies and authorities
• Key Point of Contact on Anti-Illicit trade in Western Europe for internal stakeholders
• Providing expertise and advice on the commissioning of EM reports / resources to support key policy and regulatory engagement
• Working with the Area and EM Insights team to define the set of AIT insights to be collected per EM, based on the nature of their respective AIT issues (FMC/NC, DNP/Counterfeit etc)
• Ensuring collation of Western Europe AIT insights to develop policy positions
• Building, where appropriate, Western Europe reporting of illicit trade, highlighting key changes/risks
• Co-ordinate with FaCT and AME region to commission and provide analysis of AIT research results(EPS/PS)
• Working with the Area Head of Security to ensure effective support for AIT initiatives and with Area Head of Campaigns and Area Business Comms Manager to drive above-market AIT campaigns and priorities
• Collaborating with and nurture relationships with regional and global AIT stakeholders, including Security counterparts
• Providing input into EM Campaigns, legislative reviews & government consultations
• Sharing AIT best practices & drive innovation in the way AIT is analysed and leveraged for regulatory engagement
• Building regulatory arguments using AIT issues in support of key regulatory must-wins
• Ensuring relevant stakeholders at DRBU and end markets are appropriately engaged on illicit trade matters.
• Coaching local external affairs teams with regards to key AIT policy objectives and draft relevant advocacy and argumentation.
• Identifying, securing, mobilising & allocating required Western Europe resources to deliver AIT objectives.

What are we looking for?

• University degree in public policy, economics or security related studies
• Proficiency in English, one or more Western Europe languages, for example Spanish and French would be beneficial
• Minimum 8-10 years’ work experience in tobacco / FMCG environment (including in consultancy)
• Extensive external affairs experience at a senior level
• Strong commercial acumen
• Demonstrated experience and exposure in the External affairs arena dealing with key advocacy and engagement
• Ability to present to, engage and influence senior management
• Previous experience in working on fighting illicit trade
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, lead and successfully manage change
• Demonstrated ability to identify and manage operational issues and insights
• Demonstrated advisory, consultative, negotiation and influencing skills at the senior/executive levels and with external stakeholders
• Demonstrated leadership, team building and motivational capabilities
• Demonstrated outstanding written, verbal and interpersonal skills
• Ability to use multiple communication tools to engage in successful dialogue across multiple levels of the organization. Advanced communications skills including persuasive arguments to challenge existing paradigms and achieve stakeholder engagement and commitment to strategic options.
• Experience and sound understanding of the complete life cycle of medium/large projects in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Demonstrated numerical skills and ability to draft complex and challenging positions
• Previous experience in a Law Enforcement Authority or AIT-relevant regulatory body would be beneficial

What we offer you?

• We offer a market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility)
• Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives
• Your journey with us isn't limited by boundaries; it's propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn't just a statement – it's a reality we're eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here.
• You'll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills
• We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes

WHY JOIN BAT?

We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions.

At BAT, we champion collaboration, inclusion, and partnership as the bedrock of our values. We wish to foster an environment where every individual can thrive, irrespective of factors such as gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, as well as diverse perspectives and thinking styles. We recognise that our strength lies in embracing talent from all walks of life, empowering us to develop our culture of inclusivity and better achieve our business objectives.