Job Description

Welcome to KFC

Take one man with a big idea, add 11 herbs and spices, grit, ambition, and buckets of heart \xe2\x80\x93 you\xe2\x80\x99ve got KFC.

Since 1939, we\xe2\x80\x99ve been bringing finger lickin\xe2\x80\x99 good chicken to the world, and today we\xe2\x80\x99re proud to be in over 1000 communities across the UK & Ireland. But without our people, none of it would be possible. Just like our recipe, they\xe2\x80\x99re all original.

Join us. Bring it. And together, we can be part of something truly extraordinary.

Bringing it to the role.

Poultry, politics and reputation. What a combo. This is a huge opportunity for someone who loves a meaty issue, cares about the role of business in society and wants to make an impact and influence at the highest level in KFC. We\xe2\x80\x99re a brand that\xe2\x80\x99s firmly part of UK culture, in a sector that\xe2\x80\x99s at the heart of public policy, stakeholder scrutiny and media debate. From environmental legislation, jobs and skills policy, through to nutrition and health, we are looking for a Policy & Reputation Manager who can understand how public affairs and corporate reputation plays an integral role in a brand\xe2\x80\x99s license to operate and its ability to grow and thrive.

This person will help us continue to build a positive profile for the business amongst stakeholders in not just Westminster, but with NGOs, campaigners and community leaders. They will help to cement our reputation as a modern, responsible brand that is making a positive contribution to society and local communities up and down the country, ensuring that KFC\xe2\x80\x99s voice is heard and considered in policy-making and regulatory and stakeholder circles. This person will help us to develop and evolve positions on key issues and the ever-changing external environment, as well as advising the business on which topics to actively engage. They will lead on stakeholder strategy and engagement, building on relationships that already exist and developing new ones, ensuring that they are mutually beneficial and help us to make sound decisions as a business. They will represent the business at forums and meetings with government bodies, civil servants, trade bodies, as well as NGOs, and will coordinate the internal stakeholders in this space too. As such the ability to communicate effectively, with impact, both verbally and in writing, is essential.

This role will be in our RSC in Woking 1-2 days a week.

What you\xe2\x80\x99ll do

• Work with the wider Corporate Affairs & Sustainability team to help develop and execute an impactful strategy to build and protect our reputation, ensuring that it\xe2\x80\x99s integrated with and supports the wider Brand and business plan
• Work with our Corporate Affairs agency Headland on delivery of the Reputation and Public Affairs strategy, alongside our PR & Press Office Manager and Senior Public Affairs Executive
• Monitor the public policy environment and keep your finger on the pulse of the external landscape for headwinds, providing insight and strategic counsel to the business to inform decision making and our approach across internal and external communications channels
• Work with internal teams including development, legal, operations, franchisees and marketing to develop external positions, points of view and messaging on key issues and external policies
• Develop and manage a strategic and creative stakeholder engagement programme, ensuring there is clarity of ownership of stakeholder relationships across the Corporate Affairs and Sustainability landscape. This will involve leading projects focused on priority public policy issues, including setting up meetings with key government stakeholders and organising external events (e.g. nationwide stakeholder/MP visits to our restaurants so they can see us in action)
• Attend meetings and events, representing the business externally to build relationships and enhance reputation with a range of stakeholders\xe2\x80\x94including politicians, NGOs, thinktanks, trade associations, etc.\xe2\x80\x94 feeding all relevant insight and information back to the business
• Coordinate and write submissions to Government and public consultations where relevant
• Provide strategic counsel and briefings for senior leadership / management team on engagement with decision-makers and influencers
• Support and work with our PR & Press Office manager on press office issues, crises, as and when needed

What we\xe2\x80\x99d love from you

ABOUT YOU

• We\xe2\x80\x99re looking for someone who is really enthusiastic and passionate about what they do. Fire us up with the potential for what we could achieve in this space!
• This is a role that requires the ability to make an impact and influence at the most senior level. With our management team, senior leaders and franchisees. You will need gravitas and credibility. You\xe2\x80\x99ll also need to be super bright, a naturally strategic thinker, and a confident and accomplished presenter and communicator.
• You\xe2\x80\x99ll need to be able to develop relationships across all functions of the business, and all levels, to find the right answers, or to get the help you need to deliver a project.
• You\xe2\x80\x99ll have an understanding of the balance between the external pressures and demands of stakeholders \xe2\x80\x93 and the internal pressures of a commercial business
• You\xe2\x80\x99re going to be our external eyes and ears, so you need to have \xe2\x80\x93 and hold onto \xe2\x80\x93 an appreciation of the agendas of external stakeholders.
• We\xe2\x80\x99re looking for someone who doesn\xe2\x80\x99t have a traditional approach to public affairs, and someone who has a broader understanding of how third-party relationships and stakeholder engagement can help shape reputation and protect a business\xe2\x80\x99s licence to operate.
• You will be able to share lots of examples of how you\xe2\x80\x99ve worked with a wide range of NGOs, campaigners, experts as well as policymakers to understand an issue and build corporate reputations.

EXPERIENCE

6 years+ experience in a Public Affairs consultancy or in-house role

Experience managing a direct report / a team

Relationships with influencers and stakeholders in Westminster and beyond

Crisis & issues expertise

The ability to develop a strategic plan and sell it

Experience briefing senior business leaders on complex issues

Experience of the food & drink sector would be helpful

Be Original.

At KFC, everyone gets a seat at our table. Since we landed in the UK in 1965, we\xe2\x80\x99ve fed our people\xe2\x80\x99s potential \xe2\x80\x93 to be their best selves, make a difference and have fun.

Because it\xe2\x80\x99s not just what you do at KFC. It\xe2\x80\x99s the way you do it. Unapologetically you, undeniably original.

You\xe2\x80\x99ll work with colleagues who all bring their originality to the table: their energy, spirit and sizzle and make every day high flyin\xe2\x80\x99 and high fryin\xe2\x80\x99.

As a multi-billion-pound business with over 1000 restaurants, we take ambition seriously. You\xe2\x80\x99ll be treated with respect and supported in everything you do as you roll up your sleeves and play your part in bringing finger lickin\xe2\x80\x99 good chicken to our customers. And whatever your journey looks like, we\xe2\x80\x99ll help you get there. From flexible working to the chance to earn qualifications, we got you. There are all kinds of opportunities at KFC.

Buckets of Benefits

A career with KFC offers much more than just fantastic earning potential. We reward achievement with amazing incentives and benefits, including:

• Flexible, hybrid working with our Restaurant Support Centre located in Woking, Surrey \xe2\x80\x93 a 24-minute train ride from London Waterloo. Depending on job requirement, travel across the UK & Ireland may be required.
• Generous pension with up to 11% company contribution.
• \xe2\x80\x98Fri-Yay\xe2\x80\x99 time \xe2\x80\x93 finish up at 1pm every Friday, all year round.
• Live Well Days - 5 days per year to disconnect from our day-to-day (in addition to 25 days annual leave and bank holidays).

• You can buy or sell up to 5 extra days of your core annual leave allowance each year.
• After 5 years\xe2\x80\x99 service, annual holiday allowance increases to 30 days.
• Bonus \xe2\x80\x93 We work hard and do our best work to succeed together. When the company and individual goals are reached, you\xe2\x80\x99ll be rewarded through our bonus scheme.
• Wellness\xe2\x80\x93 We want you to be your best self, so you\xe2\x80\x99ll have access to lots of wellbeing initiatives and programmes, including Telus Health, and 1:1 Mental Health coaching sessions with our partner Sanctus.
• Private healthcare, including access to Digital GP, with the option to increase to include family cover.

Flexible and Voluntary benefits including Dental Insurance, Health Screening and Gym Discounts.

• Insurances \xe2\x80\x93 All colleagues are covered by our life and income protection insurance which provides protection and peace of mind.
• Study Support may be available for job-related qualifications.
• Parental Leave \xe2\x80\x93 We offer enhanced paid leave and flexible return to work options for those important times.
• Colleague Discount \xe2\x80\x93 If you love KFC as much as we do, you\xe2\x80\x99ll received a 25% discount.

Our Commitment to You

Our customers come from all walks of life and so do our teams. We value, support, and celebrate the things that make Team KFC authentic and original and all candidates \xe2\x80\x93 regardless of age, background, ethnicity, gender, ability, religion, or sexual orientation.

We welcome applications from underrepresented groups in our industry such as women, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

To make your journey with us accessible and tailored to your needs, we encourage you to let us know if you\'d like any additional support with your application, have a disability or condition that may affect your performance during your recruitment process, or any other requirements.

Neurodiverse? Our accessibility toolbar can support you when you apply.

Ready to apply?

If you are ready to bring your passion, skills, and dedication to KFC, we encourage you to apply now. We look forward to welcoming you to our team and embarking on this extraordinary journey together. Bring it.

Don\xe2\x80\x99t tick all the boxes? Don\xe2\x80\x99t worry. If you don\xe2\x80\x99t match all the criteria for the role and still think you\xe2\x80\x99d be a great fit, we\xe2\x80\x99d love to hear from you.

About Company: We do things the right way. It isn\xe2\x80\x99t always easy, but it\xe2\x80\x99s always better. We make our chicken by hand (and we eat it with our hands too). We lead with our hearts, work hard and have fun \xe2\x80\x93 and we welcome everyone. It doesn\xe2\x80\x99t matter who you are, where you\xe2\x80\x99re from, or what your shoe size is \xe2\x80\x93 everyone\xe2\x80\x99s got a place at the Colonel\xe2\x80\x99s table.

KFC