Job Description:
Mars: Where your Tomorrow Starts Today!
Mars is a family-owned business that has been making products for people and their pets for more than 100 years. We’re behind some of the best loved brands in the world including MARS®, SNICKERS®, EXTRA®, NUTRI GRAIN®, COCO POPS®, PRINGLES®, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, BEN’S ORIGINAL ® MASTERFOODS ® and ROYAL CANIN® ORIJEN® ACANA® . We are dedicated to making a positive impact on people and the planet.
Join us in building a sustainable future where people, communities, and the planet can truly thrive.
Role Title: Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Communications Manager
Segment: Mars Snacking ANZ
Location: Melbourne, Vic. Some travel will be required to support activities at Corporate and factory sites across VIC/NSW
Hours: Full-time
Reporting to: Corporate Affairs Director
At Mars, we believe the world we want tomorrow starts with how we show up today. Mars Snacking is seeking a Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Communications Manager to help strengthen and protect our reputation across Australia and New Zealand while supporting business growth and driving external engagement on the issues that matter most.
This is a highly visible role that partners closely with senior leaders, industry stakeholders, government representatives and external partners to shape the corporate narrative of one of the world's most recognised consumer brands.
What will you do?
As a senior member of the Corporate Affairs team, you'll lead strategic communications and stakeholder engagement initiatives across sustainability, manufacturing, reputation and public affairs.
Key responsibilities include:
- Own, lead and deliver the external corporate narrative that drives reputation across sustainability, employer branding, manufacturing, regional employment and Australian made.
- Supporting the development and execution of public affairs strategies across health, environmental and manufacturing policy.
- Building and managing relationships with government, industry associations, advocacy groups and key external stakeholders.
- Driving thought leadership opportunities for senior executives across media, speaking engagements and industry forums.
- Leading media issues management and supporting crisis and business continuity activities when required.
- Overseeing external agency partners and ensuring the successful delivery of communications programs and reputation initiatives.
What are we looking for?
We're looking for an influential communications leader with strong commercial awareness and a proven ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments.
What you'll bring:
- A degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or a related field.
- Significant experience in Corporate Affairs, Public Affairs, Government Relations or Strategic Communications, ideally in the Food & Beveridge sector.
- Demonstrated success engaging with government stakeholders at local, state and/or federal levels.
- Strong media relations, stakeholder management and advocacy experience.
- Experience working on sustainability initiatives in areas such as energy, packaging and agriculture. Exposure to Climate Related Financial Disclosure (CRFD) reporting an advantage.
- Excellent judgement, critical thinking and issues management capability.
- The ability to influence leaders and stakeholders within a complex, matrixed environment.
Why you’ll love working for Mars:
· Purpose: Help craft beloved brands with a legacy of over 100 years of local manufacturing making products that people and pets will love all while helping to build a more sustainable future.
· People: A culture that values your contributions, fosters leadership, and recognises the impact you make. Your work truly matters here.
· Development: Shape your career with personalised development and real opportunities to grow from day one.
· Enjoy a team and business environment that is invested in helping you manage and grow your energy for work and life.
Mars is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.
Skills Required
- Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field
- Significant experience in Corporate Affairs, Public Affairs, Government Relations, or Strategic Communications
- Experience engaging with government stakeholders at local, state, and/or federal levels
- Strong media relations, stakeholder management, and advocacy experience
- Experience working on sustainability initiatives involving energy, packaging, and agriculture
- Excellent judgment, critical thinking, and issues management capability
- Ability to influence leaders and stakeholders in a complex, matrixed environment
- Experience in the food and beverage sector
- Exposure to Climate Related Financial Disclosure reporting
Mars Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Mars and has not been reviewed or approved by Mars.
-
Healthcare Strength — The benefits package is positioned as comprehensive, with broad medical coverage and additional protections like life insurance and short- and long-term disability. Mental health support is emphasized, including free mental health services and wellbeing programming under initiatives such as Mars Be Well.
-
Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave is highlighted as market-leading in the U.S., with an example of 18 weeks fully paid for both parents. Additional family-related leave types such as sick time for caregiving and bereavement leave are also described as part of the overall package.
-
Retirement Support — Retirement offerings are described as strong, including 401(k) matching (with a 6% match cited) and pension plans in some cases. The broader package also references retirement savings options and contributions aligned to local market practice, supporting long-term financial security.
Mars Insights
What We Do
For more than a century, Mars, Incorporated has been driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. This idea is at the center of who we have always been as a global, family-owned business. Today, Mars is transforming, innovating and evolving in ways that affirm our commitment to making a positive impact on the world around us. Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of confectionery, food, and petcare products and services, we employ 133,000 dedicated Associates who are all moving in the same direction: forward. With $40 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world’s best-loved brands including DOVE®, EXTRA®, M&M’s®, MILKY WAY®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, ORBIT®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, SKITTLES®, WHISKAS®, COCOAVIA®, and 5™; and take care of half of the world’s pets through our pet health services AniCura, Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, Pet Partners™, and VCA™. We know we can only be truly successful if our partners and the communities in which we operate prosper as well. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our Associates to take action every day to help create a world tomorrow in which the planet, its people and pets can thrive.
