External Affairs Manager (Tobacco)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced External Affairs Manager (Tobacco) to join a leading international organisation based in Jakarta.

External Affairs Manager (Tobacco)

Salary: Competitive and based on experience

Location: Jakarta

Keywords: regulatory risk management, stakeholder engagement, corporate localisation, brand image enhancement, strategic advisory, government relations, public affairs, policy analysis, network building, collaborative communication

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced External Affairs Manager (Tobacco) to join a leading international organisation based in Jakarta. This role offers you the chance to make a significant impact by shaping regulatory strategies, fostering meaningful relationships with key stakeholders, and enhancing the company’s reputation through thoughtful public engagement. You will be at the forefront of navigating complex legislative environments, ensuring that the business remains resilient and responsive to regulatory changes. The organisation is committed to supporting your professional growth, offering flexible working opportunities and a collaborative environment where your expertise will be valued and your contributions recognised. If you are passionate about government relations, policy advocacy, and making a positive difference within a dynamic industry, this position provides the perfect platform for your next career move.

What you'll do:

As an External Affairs Manager (Tobacco) based in Jakarta, you will play a central role in safeguarding the organisation’s interests by expertly navigating Indonesia’s complex regulatory landscape. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve monitoring legislative developments that could impact business operations, quantifying their potential effects on key performance indicators such as revenue and supply chain resilience. You will actively engage with influential figures across government bodies and industry associations to advocate for favourable policies while preparing persuasive documentation that supports the company’s positions. In addition to managing regulatory risks, you will champion initiatives aimed at strengthening corporate localisation efforts through community-focused programmes. By collaborating closely with PR and Legal teams, you will ensure all external communications reflect a unified message. Your strategic advice will empower senior leadership to make well-informed decisions in response to shifting policy environments. Success in this role requires exceptional analytical skills, strong relationship-building abilities, and a passion for contributing positively to both the organisation and wider society.

• Monitor evolving government legislation, ministerial decrees, and regulatory provisions to identify potential risks that could impact corporate management, taking proactive steps to block or mitigate these risks before they materialise.
• Establish and maintain regular channels of cooperation and communication with key decision-makers in government ministries, National Assembly standing committees, relevant associations, and local communities to ensure the company’s voice is heard.
• Prepare comprehensive position papers and proposals that clearly articulate the company’s legitimate stance on various issues, using logical reasoning to persuade both internal and external stakeholders.
• Organise alliances and joint responses when excessive or unrealistic regulations are introduced, representing not only the company but also advocating for broader industry interests.
• Drive corporate localisation initiatives by developing impactful CSR programmes or public-private partnership projects that enhance brand image beyond traditional lobbying activities.
• Coordinate closely with PR and Legal teams to ensure consistency in external messaging, maintaining an organic collaboration that strengthens the company’s public presence.
• Provide strategic insights and advisory support to top management—including CEO, Board of Commissioners, and Board of Directors—to help steer the business in alignment with regulatory developments.
• Analyse extensive policy documents with a macroscopic perspective to quickly identify problematic clauses or emerging risks that require immediate attention.

What you bring:

To excel as an External Affairs Manager (Tobacco) in this prominent organisation based in Jakarta, you will bring substantial experience from roles involving government relations or public affairs—ideally gained within regulated industries where policy shifts have direct commercial impacts. Your educational background equips you with theoretical insights into law or political science while your practical experience demonstrates your ability to manage teams effectively under pressure. You possess deep familiarity with Indonesia’s legislative processes as well as hands-on expertise interpreting complex tax regulations relevant to the sector. Your interpersonal skills enable you to build trust-based relationships across governmental networks while your analytical acumen ensures no detail is overlooked when reviewing intricate policy documents. Fluency in English allows you to operate confidently on both local and international stages. Above all else, your approachability fosters collaboration within cross-functional teams dedicated to advancing shared objectives.

• A bachelor’s degree or higher qualification—preferably in Law, Political Science & Diplomacy, Public Administration, Business Administration, or Communication Studies—demonstrating a solid academic foundation relevant to external affairs.
• At least 10–15 years of progressive work experience combined with proven team management capabilities within Government Relations (GR), Public Affairs, Legal Affairs, or Public Policy functions.
• Comprehensive understanding of legislative procedures at both National Assembly level and within government agencies as well as familiarity with administrative regulatory mechanisms affecting industry operations.
• Demonstrated legal knowledge regarding sector-specific taxation frameworks (such as Consumption Tax/CHT/Pita Cukai) alongside expertise in industrial property rights protection.
• Exceptional negotiation skills paired with sophisticated rhetoric; able to communicate persuasively with diverse audiences while coordinating consensus among multiple stakeholders.
• Possession of a robust network comprising trusted contacts within government institutions and related agencies which can be leveraged for effective advocacy.
• Advanced analytical abilities enabling rapid identification of problematic clauses or hidden risks embedded within lengthy policy documents or legislative drafts.
• Fluency in English is essential; proficiency in additional languages would be highly advantageous for engaging with international partners or multi-lingual communities.

What's next:

If you are ready to take on this rewarding challenge as an External Affairs Manager (Tobacco) in Jakarta—where your expertise can truly shape outcomes—we encourage you to apply now!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided; we look forward to learning more about how your unique skills can contribute to our client’s continued success.

Due to the high volume of applications we are experiencing, our team will only be in touch with you if your application is shortlisted.