Government and Institutional Relations - Mediterranean Region Lead

As a Government & Institutional Relations Lead, will be part of Hitachi Energy business and reporting to the Group Senior Vice President, Global Head of Government & Institutional Relations, you are responsible to ensure compliance with external regulatory requirements and implementation of relevant internal company policies and procedures and represent Hitachi Energy in such matters before regulatory bodies. Be the recognized expert on Public Affairs issues government relations, business institutions, social institutions and serve as the primary Government & Institutional Relations contact for the business in the Mediterranean area (Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece). Drive and execute actions aligned with the business strategy.

Your Responsibilities:

• Strategic & Operational Service Delivery: Developing, defining, and executing the Government & Institutional Relations strategy in the country, in alignment with the global Government & Institutional Relations, to support the business strategy in the local organization. Ensuring service standards are defined and the appropriate processes are developed and delivered to meet the agreed service levels and provide business continuity. Closely monitoring and reports on Policy & Regulatory issues relevant to the business.  

• Representing Hitachi Energy and protects the interests of the company in bilateral/multilateral trade related issues (e.g. tariffs) in co-ordination with relevant businesses and functions. Helping develop greater awareness of Government & Institutional Relations’ contribution to business volume/profits. Closely collaborating with the Country MDs/LSMs and functional experts as required to identify & support business development opportunities by driving advocacy & arranging discussions with senior level government officials as well as other political, business, institutional, academic stakeholders.

• Helping arrange and coordinate Hitachi Energy high-level meetings, visits, and events, and prepares related documents both required by external stakeholders and the company, including but not limited to government economic KPIs, government organization charts and personnel information, local development strategies, as well as PG’s presence & performance in region etc. Supporting crisis & issues management as relevant.

• External Relationships: Establishing and maintaining positive direct relationships at all levels of government bodies and officials (ministries, bureaucrats, diplomats, government agencies), quasi-governmental agencies, public services and other authorities (federal, state, provincial, city) to facilitate communication and help advance the organization’s business interests. Manages the organization’s high level, complex, controversial, or critical government relationships.

• Engaging with regional and local business institutions (forums, trade and industry associations, technical bodies, multilateral banks & funding agencies, state owned utilities, joint ventures, and alliances) as well as industry analysts and other influential key opinion leaders relevant to the country’s market, presenting Hitachi Energy’s perspective on critical industry topics. Building relationships within the country’s key social institutions, NGOs, environmental bodies as well as academia, providing input and building brand equity in this area.

• External Representation: Representing Hitachi Energy position on legislation and government policy to national government representatives, regulators, committees, chambers, business and trade associations, non-governmental entities, and academia to position Hitachi Energy as a trusted partner and increase the company’s influence in those organizations. Promoting our brand, products, and service to all levels of Government & Institutional Relations stakeholders. Identifying funding streams to support business development projects and advocates for favorable spectrum and regulatory policies.

• Analysis: Monitoring, analyzing and interpreting developments in legislative, regulatory, political, and economic environment and advises senior management on how these trends may impact the organization’s business interests. Assessing and providing legislative and regulatory solutions. Monitoring, assessing, and summarizing legislation that could impact key business lines. Managing the submission of periodic data from the designated countries to the global Government & Institutional Relations team. Presenting updates to executive leadership on key Government & Institutional Relations topics within the designated countries.

• Consultancy: Providing support to the Executive Committee and senior management regarding interactions with governmental bodies and officials, trade associations, business, and social institutions as well as academia.

• Integrity & Ethics: Communicating and coordinates with business leaders, line managers and other relevant employees to ensure that the organization’s dealings with government agencies are conducted ethically, legally, and according to Hitachi Energy policies and standards.

• Standards & Risks: Ensuring employees understand Hitachi Energy safety and integrity standards and act accordingly. Acts as a personal role model for the organization in this regard. Contributes to effective risk management by providing advice to the Executive Committee and senior management on key PG policy decisions.

Your background:

• University degree in Political Science, Economics, Business management, Science, Engineering, or related disciplines.

• Minimum 10 years of experience in government/business/institutional relations or closely related leading corporate or public functions, preferably within the power sector. Experience both inside & outside of governments, business & trade associations is a plus.

• Good understanding of political, regulatory, and business processes in the power grids business.

• Solid experience with government relations, public affairs, business institutions, trade associations, social institutions, and academia.

• Strong experience with agenda-setting and policy issues as well as influence and advocacy initiatives.

• Proven track record in building strong relationships in a highly matrixed, fast-paced environment with dynamic priorities.

• Fluent in Spanish, Italian and English.