Head Business Sustainability

Purpose*
The Head of Business Sustainability will lead the local FTO & sustainability strategy for Syngenta crop protection and Syngenta Seeds to protect and enable current and future business in light of societal expectations. The strategy will span sustainable and responsible business activities (stewardship, Good Growth Plan), internal and external communications, government and public Affairs and industry association representation. It will be implemented with the support of Marketing or Technical functions (in the case of stewardship).
The individual will be in the Country Leadership Team ( CLT) and a member of the APAC Business Sustainability Management Team as well as member of the (extended) local BU LTs.
Accountabilities*
Functional responsibilities:
1. Develop and implement/supervise the local Business Sustainability Strategy for the BU (CP and seeds), taking into account global and regional BS priorities (such as the good growth plan), local stakeholder expectations, local policy initiatives and local business strategy
2. Align BS strategy with local CP and Seeds LTs, determine local governance processes and required collaboration processes with local regulatory, marketing/technical functions (ie SRB, stewardship)
3. Ensure clear, individual plans are in place which deliver against each pillar of the local BS strategy and specifically building acceptance for our new technologies and in market risk mitigation via stewardship, communication, and stakeholder engagement. Manage BS budget.
4. Develop strategic partnerships and oversee effective community engagement across the BU, with targeted progressive NGOs and value chain players, including the farmers and the food companies
5. In collaboration with our industry associations, advocate on local policy initiatives and legal framework development
6. Deliver pro-active reputation management: developing thought leadership platforms, regular formal and informal stakeholder engagement, effective use of multiple media channels, public engagements and publications
7. Ensure Syngenta CP and seeds business strategy including BS is well understood across the BU, channel global/regional/local communications to BU associates
8. As a member of the APAC Business Sustainability Leadership Team, ensure that BPR/SAM process is well managed
9. Ensure that there is an effective and well-functioning horizon scanning and crisis management system in place across the BU and report escalation if necessary.

• Bachelor/ Master’s degree; professional qualification
• Good understanding of the political, social, and cultural complexity and diversity in countries
• Good understanding of Syngenta’s business (or capability to quickly build the understanding)

• Team player with strong interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail
• Determination to find win-win solutions
• Flexibility in fast paced organization
• Ability to frequently assess/measure impact of programs
• Ability to operate autonomously and represent the company at the highest levels Experience required for the job*
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in a Corporate Affairs / technical leadership position with a good understanding of the commercial, regulatory, advocacy and brand & reputation dimensions which impact our business (must be an expert in at least one of these areas)
• Ability to develop impactful BS strategies for the countries and to turn them into executable plans
• Experience in establishing and maintaining strong internal & external relationships across boundaries and cultures
• Strong people management and leadership skills in a matrixed organization and a cross cultural environment
• Strong oral and written communications skills
• Proactive, self-motivating, decisive, high level of crisis tolerance
• Ability to communicate and interact within diverse environments (employees, influencers, customers etc.)
• Experience of issues management & crisis communications; work with/in governments; media relations; and brand (social media experience desirable)

Syngenta Group is one of the world’s leading sustainable agriculture innovation companies, with roots going back more than 250 years. Our 53,000 people across more than 100 countries strive every day to transform agriculture through tailor-made solutions for the benefit of farmers, society and our planet – making us the world’s most local agricultural technology and innovation partner.

Syngenta Group is committed to operating at the highest standards of ethics and integrity. This is a commitment that we are making to investors, customers, society and employees. Syngenta Group is also

Committed to maintaining a workplace environment free from discrimination and harassment.