VP, Global Public Affairs

Description

About The Estée Lauder Companies

We are the global leader in prestige beauty, delighting consumers with transformative products and experiences and inspiring them to express their individual beauty. With a diverse portfolio of over 25 brands sold in 150 countries, we are the only company focused solely on prestige makeup, skincare, fragrance, and hair care. Creativity, innovation, and a commitment to excellence are infused throughout our organization, honoring the bold spirit of our founder, Estée Lauder.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Vice President, Global Public Affairs is a senior leader responsible for shaping and advancing The Estée Lauder Companies’ global public policy and government engagement strategy and agenda. This role focuses on identifying, assessing and responding to public policy, legislative, geopolitical, economic and regulatory developments that impact the Company’s business, operations, growth priorities and reputation.

The VP will help shape and advance The Estée Lauder Companies’ positions on key public policy issues affecting the Company and the global prestige beauty industry, while ensuring the Company is effectively represented with policymakers, regulators, trade associations, coalitions and industry bodies. The role requires strong strategic and political judgment, policy expertise, advocacy and relationship-building capabilities, analytical skills, and the ability to navigate complex political and regulatory environments.

The VP will anticipate and monitor global geopolitical, economic, legislative, regulatory and societal trends relevant to ELC, providing timely intelligence, clear business implications and actionable guidance to senior leadership. This leader will translate complex external developments into enterprise-level insights and strategies, identifying both risks to mitigate and opportunities to advance the Company’s priorities. This leader will drive a disciplined, coordinated and forward-looking public affairs approach aligned with the Company’s strategic priorities and long-term vision, Beauty Reimagined.

Long Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Public Affairs Strategy, Advocacy & Executive Counsel

• Develop and execute The Estée Lauder Companies’ global public affairs and government engagement strategy aligned with business priorities, key markets and enterprise objectives.

• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leaders on public policy, regulatory risk, geopolitical developments, government engagement and external political developments.

• Develop advocacy strategies that protect The Estée Lauder Companies’ business and reputation, advance enterprise priorities, and identify opportunities created by changes in the policy and regulatory environment.

• Partner closely with Legal, Government Affairs, Communications and business leaders to ensure consistent, informed and enterprise-wide positions on priority issues.

• Translate complex policy and political developments into clear business implications and recommendations for senior leadership and other key decision-makers.

Government & Regulatory Engagement

• Help position The Estée Lauder Companies as a credible, responsible and constructive participant in legislative and regulatory discussions affecting the beauty and consumer products industries.

• Support engagement with policymakers, regulators, and government stakeholders at the international, federal, state and local levels, as appropriate, on issues including trade, sustainability, product safety, labor, global supply chains, taxation, data and technology, and emerging regulation.

• Represent The Estée Lauder Companies’ policy positions with government officials, trade associations, coalitions and other external stakeholders.

• Develop strategies for high-impact government engagement in priority markets, including executive meetings, government visits and policy forums.

Policy Intelligence, Analysis & Strategic Risk

• Track and analyze legislative, regulatory, geopolitical, economic and societal developments, assessing potential business impact and providing timely recommendations to senior leadership.

• Maintain an effective “early warning system” for policy, regulatory and geopolitical trends that could impact The Estée Lauder Companies’ business, growth agenda, operations, employees or reputation.

• Provide forward-looking analysis of political, economic and regulatory developments across The Estée Lauder Companies’ priority markets, identifying emerging risks and opportunities before they become material business issues.

• Develop compelling policy materials—including executive summaries, position papers, advocacy briefs, briefing documents and decision memos—that articulate The Estée Lauder Companies’ positions and recommended actions.

• Ensure senior leadership is equipped with timely intelligence and analysis to support proactive, informed decision-making.

• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to develop proactive mitigation and engagement strategies and inform enterprise decision-making.

• Advise senior leadership on how government engagement, advocacy, coalition-building, communications or other actions can mitigate emerging risks or advance strategic priorities.

• Partner with Communications and other relevant teams to develop and review talking points, statements, Q&A, messaging and other materials related to significant public affairs and policy developments.

Long Description

Trade Associations & Industry Relations

• Oversee and coordinate The Estée Lauder Companies’ participation in key trade associations, business organizations, coalitions and industry groups, ensuring alignment with Company priorities and values.

• Assess trade association memberships and engagement strategies to ensure the Company is represented effectively on its highest-priority policy issues.

• Build coalitions and partnerships with peer companies and other stakeholders where collective advocacy can advance The Estée Lauder Companies’ priorities or the interests of the broader beauty industry.

Executive & Stakeholder Engagement

• Identify high-value opportunities for The Estée Lauder Companies’ senior leaders to engage with policymakers, regulators, business leaders, industry organizations and other influential stakeholders.

• Prepare and advise senior executives for external industry and government engagement, including strategic preparation, briefing materials, talking points and follow-up.

• Develop opportunities—including government meetings, market visits, policy forums and site visits—to deepen external stakeholders’ understanding of The Estée Lauder Companies’ business, brands, employees, economic contributions and role in the global prestige beauty industry.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and develop public affairs professionals and/or external advisors and consultants.

• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team culture.

• Develop the capabilities of the public affairs team and ensure clear priorities, accountability and measurable impact.

• Manage public affairs budgets and resources responsibly to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.

• Oversee external consultants and advisors, ensuring their work is aligned with The Estée Lauder Companies’ enterprise priorities and delivers measurable value.

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

The ideal candidate is an experienced public affairs professional with strong policy expertise and proven leadership capability. Qualifications include:

• 12–15+ years of experience in public affairs, government relations, public policy, or regulatory affairs, preferably within a global, consumer-facing organization.

• Deep understanding of legislative and regulatory processes across key markets affecting multinational companies.

• Demonstrated ability to influence outcomes through relationship-building, strategic insight, and sound judgment.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex policy issues and business implications.

• Proven experience advising senior leaders and working effectively across Legal, Compliance, and business functions.

• Excellent judgment, discretion, and professionalism.

• Strong leadership and team management experience, including oversight of external advisors or trade associations.

• Ability to operate effectively in complex, matrixed, and fast-moving environments.

B.E.A.U.T.Y. COMMITMENTS | HOW WE LEAD AND WIN TOGETHER

• Bold: We lead with vision and ambition.

• Entrepreneurial: We embrace ownership and accountability.

• Agile: We move fast, always putting the consumer first.

• Unified: We are one team.

• Transformational: We transform with speed and focus.

• Yes!: We say “yes.”

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is Company's policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. The Company will endeavor to provide a reasonable accommodation consistent with the law to otherwise qualified employees and prospective employees with a disability and to employees and prospective employees with needs related to their religious observance or practices. Should you wish to apply for this position or any other position with the Company and you believe you require assistance to complete an application or participate in an interview, please contact [email protected].