Corporate Relations Director, Canada

With over 200 brands sold in nearly 180 countries, Diageo is home to some of the world’s most iconic drinks. From Johnnie Walker and Guinness to Tanqueray, Smirnoff and Don Julio, we craft brands chosen for life’s moments — from everyday connections to landmark celebrations. 

Bring your talent, curiosity and ambition, and strive for your personal best alongside people who challenge, support and learn from each other. Together, as one outstanding team, we keep learning, improving and raising the bar for our brands, our business and each other. 

Join us and play your part in making life’s moments mean a little more. 

Corporate Relations (CR) is where we shape how the world sees Diageo, and how we show up in it. 

Working at the intersection of business and society, this team builds trusted relationships with the people and organisations that matter most, from media and investors to governments, NGOs and partners. It’s fast-paced, high-impact work that protects our reputation while helping move our business forward. 

Across communications, policy and ESG, you’ll collaborate globally, navigate complex challenges and play a key role in earning and maintaining our licence to operate. It’s a space for people who are curious, credible, and confident in making their voice heard. 

The CRD is responsible for shaping our policy and reputational environment to protect our license to operate, unlock long-term growth and enhance Diageo’s reputation. 

Reporting directly to the Corporate Relations EVP for NAM, the role is responsible for executing the Global CR Strategy within the market consistent with CR’s design principles:

• One Team mindset
• Delivering functional priorities set by the CR Leadership Team
• Prioritising value creation over lower value activity & ‘service’ model
• Standardised approach where possible

Within the market/country, it is a trusted partner to the Managing Director / General Manager, the leadership team and other functional heads in the execution of the Global CR Strategy, locally adapted where needed to ensure it is relevant and impactful to the local context and the market’s strategic priorities.

• Navigate and shape public policy environment.  This includes opportunities and risks relating to excise & customs duties/tax, international trade and market access, regulatory policies (e.g. marketing, labelling, availability and other regulatory freedoms), and alcohol & public health issues. 
• Deliver internal and external corporate communications.  This includes Diageo’s cultural transformation agenda (purpose, behaviours), media relations, communications support to public policy and society campaigns, and issues and crises comms. 
• Develop and implement society agenda consistent with Diageo’s Spirit of Progress strategy.  This includes our programmes and initiatives on positive drinking, social impact and sustainability (water replenishment). 
• Own and build trusted collaborator relationships including government, customers, trade associations and other industry bodies, social aspects organisations and civil society / NGOs.  

• Strategic leader that develops and accomplishes multi-pronged campaigns bringing to bear outstanding influencing, communications and partner management capabilities
• Thinks enterprise-wide and has strong ability to connect and balance our CR agenda with the market’s strategic priorities including short-term performance delivery and longer-term growth
• Thrives in complex, volatile and unpredictable environments

• 10+ years in CR/relevant roles ideally in highly regulated sectors for a multinational, large organisation, trade association or agency
• Strong leadership experience: partnering with senior business leaders (including at MD/GM level), government, customers and leading small agile CR teams and ability to execute through trade associations
• Ability to operate in matrix structure, including successfully implementing global strategies/initiatives at local market level, highly preferred
• Strong capabilities and background in public policy, government relations and/or strategic communications
• Must be bilingual (French/English)