Regional Business Sustainability and Communications Manager

• To support APAC seeds business by building and/or maintaining Freedom to Operate (FTO) today and in the future.

• To work with the FCLT (Field Crops Leadership team), Business Sustainability & Country teams in developing, implementing, and communicating Seed FTO initiatives.

• To play a critical role in securing an FTO base for building and delivery of the Seeds short, medium- and long-term strategic priorities across the core strategic crops, Corn, Rice, Sunflower, Millet Mustard across APAC.

• Participate in designated global Seeds sustainability programs, to represent APAC FC and to support scaling of new solutions and best practices

 Co-ordinate and lead the Seed FTO ‘working group’.

• Ensure representation of Syngenta Seeds on Industry working groups across APAC, personally or via colleagues with the relevant expertise.

• Co-ordinate Syngenta Seed presence as a key contributor to CropLife and ISF (International Seed Federation, Participating in relevant boards and working groups where appropriate.

• To ensure sustainability is embedded in the Seeds organization.

• Identify media opportunities for promoting the Seed business in APAC

• Design a Communication Strategy for Seeds Business APAC and drive internal communication initiatives in Seeds in APAC

Accountabilities:

• Establish understanding of seed industry lobbying space and develop & implement strategies defending interests of Syngenta Seeds business in APAC.

• Drive implementation through local or regional functional teams having a role in LTO such as R&D, P&S, commercial, ALIP, Business Sustainability etc. by providing guidance, challenge, and support.

• Work on regular basis with various functional teams to identify possible FTO risks, and to support potential solutions through partnership with regional and global sustainability and communications functions

• Act as an external communication business partner for Syngenta seeds business in APAC

• Develop and own external communication messages, position/ media statements, Q&A, digital communication tools etc. to support the strategy implementation.

• Take responsibility for the required advocacy and engagement of regional industry associations.

• Support the development of key partnerships at the region level (and in countries, where appropriate) with relevant NGOs, Grower & Value Chain groups, Academic/ Research, and other stakeholders.

• Act as a sounding board and provide challenge to ensure all LTO / Business Sustainability focused projects deliver business relevant outcomes.

• Closely collaborate with marketing to ensure alignment of LTO and Marketing communication strategies and plans.

• Work closely with HR and Corporate comms to support embedding a culture of pride to work in seeds and employee engagement

Essential Knowledge & Experience:

• Experience working in implementing advocacy strategies and plans and building partnerships, preferably in a commercial organization within the agri-business or life sciences sector.

• Strong understanding of political, social, and cultural complexity and diversity of APAC region.

• Stakeholder management & acting as a trusted adviser with leaders/managers.

• Substantial experience of leading virtual teams and projects.

• Experience of building x-geography engagement strategies, developing partnerships and leading and managing the implementation to build acceptance for new and potentially disruptive technology or innovations in agriculture.

• Experience in driving value added sustainable customer solutions

• Issue management.

• Understanding of seed business and/or agriculture.

• Cross functional project management experience.

Qualifications and skills:

Able to develop and nurture working relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders.

Proactive and analytical: anticipates changes, opportunities, forges relationships to ensure appropriate strategy adjustment and effective alignment.

Capable of structured & strategic thinking, developing strategies and leading successful implementation in a dynamic environment.

Capable of formulating and effectively communicating vision.

Execution and results focused.

Excellent verbal and written command of English.

Business acumen and commercially driven mind-set.

Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and under pressure.

BA degree in communications or agricultural business field.

Master’s degree and/or top-ranking MBA advantageous.

Syngenta Seeds is one of the world’s largest developers and producers of seed for farmers, commercial growers, retailers and small seed companies. Syngenta seeds improve the quality and yields of crops. High-quality seeds ensure better and more productive crops, which is why farmers invest in them. Advanced seeds help mitigate risks such as disease and drought and allow farmers to grow food using less land, less water and fewer inputs.

Syngenta Seeds brings farmers more vigorous, stronger, resistant plants, including innovative hybrid varieties and biotech crops that can thrive even in challenging growing conditions.

Syngenta Seeds is headquartered in the United States.