Head of Government Affairs & Advocacy (m/f/d)

Head of Government Affairs & Advocacy (m/f/d)

Job ID: 41402 | Location: Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany or Pratteln, Canton of Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland | Work Model: Hybrid

We are looking for a highly experienced Head of Government Affairs & Advocacy (m/f/d) to lead our global public affairs strategy and represent the company at the intersection of policy, business, and sustainability.

Reporting directly to the Chief Strategy & Technology Officer, this is a high-impact, externally facing role that partners closely with senior executives across the organization. You will shape policy positions, anticipate regulatory developments, and strengthen Clariant’s voice with key stakeholders globally.

Responsibilities

• Strategic advocacy & executive advisory

• Define and execute a global government affairs and advocacy strategy aligned with Clariant’s business and sustainability priorities

• Develop policy positions and narratives, assessing complex regulatory topics on their impact on the company’s current business and strategy

• Prepare and support senior leaders (including CEO and CSTO) for high-level external engagements and policy dialogues

• Work in close partnership with Strategy, Sustainability, Product Stewardship, Communications, and Business Units to drive alignment

• Regulatory intelligence & policy insight

• Anticipate and interpret legislative and regulatory developments across key jurisdictions, in collaboration with local colleagues (EU, US, China, and other priority markets)

• Provide forward-looking insights on topics such as chemicals regulation, climate policy, circular economy, and industrial strategy

• Maintain structured approaches to track policy developments, engagement activities, and advocacy priorities

• External engagement & representation

• Represent Clariant with policymakers, regulators, trade associations, and wider stakeholder groups

• Build and maintain a high-value network across government, industry, and NGOs

• Support the positioning of Clariant and its leadership in key external forums and industry platforms

• Ensure compliance with applicable lobbying, transparency, and reporting requirements

Requirements

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in government affairs, public policy, regulatory strategy, or related areas preferably in the chemical industry

• Demonstrated experience contributing to or shaping policy outcomes in highly regulated, international environments

• Understanding of global regulatory landscapes and policy processes across major regions

• Experience engaging with a broad range of stakeholders across policy and industry ecosystems

• Capabilities

• Strong political and regulatory awareness, with the ability to interpret complex developments

• Ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders and contribute to executive-level discussions

• Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills in cross-functional environments

• Ability to translate complex policy topics into relevant business context

• Strategic mindset combined with analytical thinking and sound judgement

• High level of professionalism, integrity, and credibility

Education

• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, International Relations, Sustainability, or a related discipline

• What defines success in this role

• Building trusted relationships with senior leaders and external stakeholders

• Anticipating and responding to regulatory developments in a proactive and structured way

• Enabling alignment across diverse internal stakeholders

• Contributing to Clariant’s external positioning in key policy and industry discussions

• Delivering meaningful outcomes through effective advocacy and engagement