Head of Government Relations and Public Affairs

At ABB, we help industries outrun - leaner and cleaner. Here, progress is an expectation - for you, your team, and the world. As a global market leader, we’ll give you what you need to make it happen. It won’t always be easy, growing takes grit. But at ABB, you’ll never run alone. Run what runs the world.

This Position reports to:

Your role and responsibilities

The VP Head of Government Relations and Public Affairs (GRPA) is a management and advocacy position and will establish, lead and help grow ABB Robotics GRPA function, establishing and leading the Brussels office, interacting with and managing the business’ China GRPA function and overseeing US GRPA monitoring and agency relationships. This person will work on public policy and advocacy on diverse issues, including Artificial Intelligence, automation, trade, decarbonization, sustainability, and others. This position reports to ABB Robotics Global Head of Communications.

The Head of GRPA leads and coordinates all business-wide relevant public policy initiatives and advises the President, Management Team and local business leaders in their interactions with public officials. 

The position will: 

• Develop and implement a targeted global and European GRPA strategy to support ABB Robotics.

• Establish and lead Brussels office, manage China GRPA resource, oversee and periscope US GRPA topics and areas of focus and establish support agency relationships, with a view to establishing a presence in Washington, DC. Participate in ABB Robotics internal governance bodies.

• Coordinate all ABB Robotics public policy advocacy in the European Union on AI, Automation, trade, decarbonization, sustainability, and other issues, with input and collaboration from business partners and relevant functions, e.g., Sustainability, Legal.

• Provide strategic counsel and analysis. Monitor, analyze and provide counsel on developments in the European & US legislative, regulatory, political and economic environment and advise management on how these trends may impact ABB Robotics business interests.

• Manage advocacy and stakeholder engagement to influence policy and/or business issues.

• Facilitate interaction with European Union government officials for the Business. Oversee participation in associations and bodies important to ABB Robotics with the goal of shaping legislation, standards and policies, in close coordination with internal ABB stakeholders.

• Support integrity culture in GRPA and model highest standards of behavior in interactions with government and policy stakeholders. Uphold and reinforce ABB Robotics policies and standards. Ensure that government relations activities protect and enhance ABB’s brand, reputation and business activities.

Qualifications for the role

• University degree, master’s level, in international relations/political science/business administration or related disciplines.

• 10 - 15 years of experience in global government relations, public affairs or similar roles.

• Able to maintain both a strategic and implementation focused mindset.

• Flexible with the ability to incorporate multiple viewpoints, constraints and challenges.

• Experience in establishing and building function, working with remote teams of experienced professionals with high level responsibilities, i.e.: managing relations with governments.

• Accustomed to dealing with high-ranking public officials.

• Good understanding of ABB Robotics technology and business activities.

• In-depth knowledge of global issues (e.g.: AI, Robotics industry, energy and industry topics and climate change) and international affairs; good understanding of business and eco-nomics, and the policy and law-making process.

• Analytical and creative thinking, strategic instincts with a proficient understanding of communication processes.

• Highly effective interpersonal, communications and advocacy skills to influence, negotiate and persuade.

• Ability to set priorities and focus on execution.

• Fluent English; additional languages are a plus.

• Multi-cultural and multi-dimensional to support international strategic processes and teams.

• Collaborative individual who thrives in diverse environments.

• Exemplary ethics and high integrity.

More about us

This role sits within ABB's Robotics business, a leading global robotics company. We're entering an exciting new chapter as we’ve announced the plan for SoftBank Group to acquire ABB Robotics. SoftBank is a globally recognized $300B technology group and investor/operator focused on AI, robotics, and next-generation computing. By joining us now, you’ll be part of a pioneering team shaping the future of robotics—working alongside world-class experts in a fast-moving, innovation-driven environment.

Guide the future. This is where innovation accelerates, industries are reimagined, and your impact powers the world ahead. Run What Runs the World.

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We value people from different backgrounds. Could this be your story? Apply today or visit www.abb.com to read more about us and learn about the impact of our solutions across the globe.