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Global Public Affairs Director – Sustainability

Randstad USA United States Added on Jul 24, 2026
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This senior leadership role focuses on steering a proactive global policy agenda to ensure that the organization’s sustainability priorities are protected and advanced in the external marketplace. You will be the primary subject matter expert responsible for synchronizing public affairs efforts across various regions, bridging the gap between local execution and global strategy. Your daily focus centers on navigating complex legislative landscapes and embedding a cohesive operating model for corporate affairs.

As the bridge between business growth and policy, this position is critical for maintaining a freedom to operate within a rapidly tightening global regulatory framework. By influencing external standards and legislative shifts, you will ensure that sustainability remains a core competitive advantage rather than a compliance burden. This role translates high-level corporate commitments into tangible advocacy that shapes the future of the industry.

This suits someone who is a seasoned policy strategist with a flair for matrix management. You should be comfortable operating as a high-level individual contributor who can drive massive organizational change through influence rather than direct authority.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The Global Public Affairs Director leads the charge in defining how the company interacts with the external policy landscape regarding sustainability. You will be responsible for orchestrating a global agenda that ensures diverse regional offices are aligned with the corporate sustainability vision. This involves tracking legislative developments and high-level advocacy. You will also be tasked with evolving the internal operating model for public affairs. This means creating better workflows between global, regional, and local teams to ensure the organization speaks with one voice. It is a strategic role that prioritizes the long-term 'freedom to operate' over short-term reactive tasks.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this role, you will gain unparalleled exposure to the global regulatory architecture governing sustainability, particularly as it pertains to large-scale HR and services. Navigating the nuances between different jurisdictions will sharpen your ability to design versatile and resilient policy strategies. You will also have the opportunity to master the art of matrixed influence. Since this position operates as an individual contributor, you will refine the leadership skills required to move a massive organization through soft power, relationship building, and intellectual authority.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate is a high-level public affairs professional with a deep background in multinational corporate environments. You should have a proven track record of handling complex sustainability issues within a similarly regulated sector. A mix of technical policy knowledge and strategic communication skills is essential. You must be a self-starter who is comfortable with ambiguity. The role requires someone who can walk into a large organization and immediately begin building trust with senior leaders without needing a long ramp-up period. Effective communication and the ability to simplify complex policy into business-ready strategy are non-negotiable.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, your application should highlight specific examples of policy wins or strategic shifts you have led in a global context. Don't just list responsibilities; detail a situation where you successfully influenced a legislative outcome or aligned a fragmented global team. Given that this is a parental leave assignment, demonstrating your ability to 'hit the ground running' is vital. Use your cover letter to emphasize your fast onboarding skills and your comfort with entering a 12-month project with clear, immediate deliverables.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role will likely focus heavily on social sustainability and corporate governance, particularly how labor laws and environmental regulations intersect in the global workforce. As a labor market leader, policy work regarding fair work and the green transition is central. You will also navigate environmental policy related to supply chains. Ensuring the company is positioned as a leader in sustainable labor practices helps protect its reputation and its ability to serve major multinational clients who have their own strict ESG targets.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

The primary challenge is navigating the matrix. In a massive organization, getting everyone aligned on a single policy agenda requires immense patience and political savvy. You may encounter resistance from regional offices that have different local priorities than the global headquarters. Another challenge is the regulatory pace. Sustainability policy is moving at different speeds across the US, EU, and Asia. Keeping up with this fragmented landscape while providing unified global advice requires constant vigilance and a high level of intellectual agility.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

Your day might begin with a global briefing call with regional public affairs leads to discuss emerging local regulations. You would spend the morning synthesizing these insights into a memo for the Chief Sustainability Officer or other executive stakeholders. In the afternoon, you might shift to external engagement, representing the organization in a trade association meeting or drafting a positioning paper on carbon disclosure or labor rights. Your day ends by mapping out deliverables that support the long-term vision.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Operating at a global director level within a market leader provides a prestigious executive credential. It demonstrates an ability to operate at the intersection of business, policy, and sustainability during a period of massive global change. You will have the chance to lead enterprise-wide changes, such as embedding a new operating model. This project is a powerful addition to a leadership portfolio, showing you can drive high-stakes transformation independently and effectively.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will regularly interact with senior leadership, including global heads of department and executive stakeholders, providing them with critical policy intelligence. Your influence is key to aligning business growth with sustainability commitments. Externally, your main stakeholders will include policy makers, government officials, and industry trade associations. You will act as the face of the company's sustainability policy, negotiating interests and shaping standards in various international forums.

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