Public Affairs Manager

Nestle

. Represent Nestlé’s interests with policymakers, government institutions, industry associations, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders in Portugal and the European Union.

Posted 9/21/2026full-timeLisbon • PortugalMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in Public Affairs and Government Relations, with a strong understanding of the food industry's regulatory landscape and the ability to influence policy effectively. Proven skills in stakeholder management, strategic communication, and project management are essential for success in this role.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Public Affairs Strategy DevelopmentGovernment Relations ExperienceStakeholder ManagementRegulatory Knowledge in Food IndustryFluency in Portuguese and English

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Public AffairsAdvocacyProject ManagementRegulatory AnalysisStrategic Communication

Soft Skills

Influencing SkillsNegotiation SkillsCollaborative MindsetProactive ApproachPolitical Acumen

Certifications & Qualifications

Master’s Degree in LawMaster’s Degree in Political ScienceMaster’s Degree in Food Engineering

Industry Keywords

Food IndustryPolicymaking ProcessesLegislative MonitoringESG AdvocacyCrisis Management

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Represent Nestlé’s interests with policymakers, government institutions, industry associations, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders in Portugal and the European Union.
Define and implement the Public Affairs strategy.
Provide strategic advice to the business and advocate for the company’s positions on regulatory matters.
Develop and maintain relationships with policymakers, public authorities, business associations, and other stakeholders.
Monitor and analyze legislative and regulatory developments, assess their impact on the business, and communicate findings to internal teams.
Identify priority issues and coordinate the development and communication of Nestlé’s positions.
Lead advocacy initiatives and promote coordinated action across functions and business units.
Represent Nestlé at conferences, debates, working groups, roundtables, and other external forums.
Collaborate with Corporate and Business teams to ensure strategic and operational alignment.
Support the implementation of the ESG Advocacy & Partnerships strategy.
Support the preparation for and management of potential crisis situations.
Support the Corporate Affairs Director on strategic projects and assume representation responsibilities when required.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Master’s degree in Law, Political Science, Food Engineering, or an equivalent field.
3–5 years of relevant experience in Public Affairs, Government Relations, Advocacy, business associations, public institutions, or the food industry.
Strong knowledge of the food industry, including its regulatory challenges, opportunities, and trends.
In-depth knowledge of Portuguese and European institutions, policymaking processes, and best practices in influencing and institutional relations.
Proven experience in government relations, advocacy, and external stakeholder management.
Excellent project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders and priorities.
Strong communication, influencing, and negotiation skills, with the ability to adapt messages to different internal and external audiences.
Fluency in Portuguese and English, both written and spoken.
Ability to quickly analyze complex situations, anticipate impacts, and identify strategic business opportunities.
Strong collaborative mindset, promoting the engagement and alignment of multidisciplinary teams around common objectives.
Proactive, persuasive profile with strong political acumen, able to influence change, constructively challenge the status quo, and represent Nestlé with credibility and confidence.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Opportunities to develop expertise and advance professionally.
The opportunity to join a multicultural and diverse team.
Exposure to local and international environments.
Flexible working environment.
Engagement and well-being initiatives.
Competitive compensation package.
Health insurance.
Meal allowance card.
Access to the Nestlé Club, offering exclusive discounts with various partners.
Free coffee at the office.
Employee shop with special discounts.
Work equipment tailored to the needs of the role.
Medical support available at the Lisbon office.
Access to e-learning platforms and continuous training programs.
Career advancement and international mobility opportunities.