Institutional and Public Affairs

Location: Firenze, Italy

In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible.

Job:
Institutional and Public Affairs develops and implements public affairs strategies in order to raise brand perception and trust as a “national industry partner”, assist GBUs/BLs on strategic campaigns, promote country-specific exports through government support and advance Thales’s interests through government programs such as participation in publicly funded R&D projects in the country. Activities comprise government relations, engagement with parliamentary committees, think tanks and other stakeholder bodies.

**Key Responsibilities and Tasks**:
Work closely with members of GBUs/BLs and DGDI areas to integrate government support into sales campaigns in countries or regions;
- Prepare specific media materials to be used as standard communication tools in the support process.
- Work closely with the Account team to create the Export Growth Plan
- Build and lead an integrated campaigns team with support from the Marketing and Communications Segment to ensure government demands are included and in line with the Campaign Plan
- Obtain strong government support for the launch of campaigns abroad and increase the likelihood of success of international campaigns (including Events and Trade Shows)
- Develop and promote operational plans that identify key stakeholders, environments, timelines and communication tools to support Export markets and enrich the Export pipeline
- Identify opportunities to accelerate the development of Thales activities internationally.
- Build networks with key, strategic players in Government and within the wider international defence and security arena (customer conferences, trade bodies and associations, competitors, think-tanks, partner organisations, etc.)
- Develop a reputation internally and externally as a Subject Matter Expert through thought leadership, representation at external and internal sector fora, and support and guidance to senior personnel
- Share insights at a company level with the relevant teams / functions within the country; Country Business Units (CBU)/ Domains, other “Go To Market” functions and Bid &Project Management.
- Provide a service to internal stakeholders such as Sales, Key Account Managers, CBUs and Product Line Managers by generating insight, analysis and an understanding of market sectors, Government policy, key customers and their requirements.
- Contribute insights to inform the overall Thales country strategic plan
- Act as Thales IT representative at industry trade associations, think tank and Governmental fora.

Support negotiations with Government bodies in areas where Government influence or guidance is required in support of Thales activities
***Key Skills & Experience**

**Essential**:

- Extensive experience and a proven track record in understanding and working with policy formulation and machinery of Government
- A recognised and credible strategic thinker able to form an independent view based on analysis of the facts or extrapolation from market signals.
- Confidently solves highly complex problems with informed, timely and decisive actions whilst maintaining integrity and transparency.
- High-level influencing, networking skills developed within global organisations. Ideally enhanced through international assignments or secondment.
- Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills and written presentation / report writing skills being developed to Board-level.
- Innovation and creativity to think differently and move the business away from the norm.
- **Strong administrative, organisational, leadership and team working skills.**

**Desirable**:

- Ideally will have experience in defence and security
- An understanding of international relations and policy
- Demonstrable experience of the full strategic analysis cycle from concept to implementation..
- Enjoys or thrives on developing and performing through teamwork, effective delegation, and promoting improvements and change.
- Has the courage of conviction to stand by and to take unpopular decisions when required for the benefit of the company.
- A strong ability to interface well and influence effectively at all levels including internally and externally with customers, partners and suppliers

**Values & Behaviours**:

- **Customer Trust**:

- **Perform through Cooperation**:

- **Influence key stakeholders**:

- **Shape solutions out of complexity**

**Qualifications**:
Essential
- Degree qualified in a business or related discipline.

Desirable
- Masters Degree in a business or related discipline.