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Director, State Government RelationsDiageo · Chicago, Illinois
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Diageo

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Director, State Government Relations

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🗓️ Posted 2026-09-29 Chicago, Illinois Hybrid Government Defence
💰 Salary Not shared 📊 Market 10,000 GBP–16,667 GBP/mo

About the Company

Job Description : About us 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. About the Function 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, annfident in making their voice heard

About the Role

Diageo North America is seeking a Director, State Government Relations to lead the development and execution of government relations and public policy strategy across the Central Region. The Director will be a senior representative of Diageo with state and local policymakers, regulators, trade associations and other external stakeholders and will play a critical role in protecting and advancing Diageo's reputation, license to operate and ability to grow. This role requires a sophisticated understanding of multi-state government affairs, strong political and business judgment, and the ability to translate public policy developments into commercial implications and effective advocacy strategies. The Director will anticipate emerging legislative and regulatory risks and opportunities, develop and execute strategies aligned with Diageo's business priorities, and provide trusted counsel to senior leaders across the organization. The Director will work closely across Corporate Relations and partner with Legal, Commercial, Finance, Regulatory, Supply and other functions to ensure Diageo brings an integrated perspective to complex policy issues. The role will also manage external government affairs consultants and engage trade associations, business organizations and other third-party stakeholders to advance shared priorities.

Responsibilities

  • ● Government Relations Strategy & Advocacy
  • ● Develop and execute a comprehensive government relations strategy for an assigned portfolio of states, aligned with Diageo's North America business priorities and broader Corporate Relations strategy.
  • ● Represent Diageo before governors' offices, state legislatures, regulatory agencies and other state and local policymakers, building trusted relationships and advocating effectively on behalf of the company.
  • ● Establish clear advocacy objectives and strategies for priority issues and continuously evaluate progress, external developments and business needs to adapt plans as appropriate.
  • ● Identify opportunities for Diageo to proactively shape the policy environment rather than solely respond to legislative and regulatory developments.
  • ● Coordinate with federal government relations, communications and other Corporate Relations colleagues where issues cross jurisdictions or require an integrated external affairs strategy.
  • ● Policy, Legislative & Regulatory Leadership
  • ● Anticipate and assess emerging legislative, regulatory and political developments that could create risks or opportunities for Diageo, its brands, customers and consumers.
  • ● Lead state-level policy strategy on issues affecting the beverage alcohol sector and Diageo's business, including taxation, market access and route-to-market, digital commerce and delivery, regulatory modernization, product and category treatment, responsible drinking, sustainability and other emerging issues.
  • ● Translate complex policy developments into clear commercial and reputational implications for senior leaders and business partners.
  • ● Develop policy positions, advocacy materials, executive briefings, testimony, talking points and other communications that articulate Diageo's perspective credibly and persuasively.
  • ● Provide timely, actionable counsel and recommendations to senior management on significant legislative and regulatory developments.
  • ● Stakeholder & Coalition Leadership
  • ● Develop and maintain trusted relationships with strategically important, elected officials, regulators, policy leaders and other external stakeholders across the region.
  • ● Build coalitions and third-party support around priority policy objectives, working where appropriate with customers, suppliers, business organizations, community partners and other stakeholders.
  • ● Represent Diageo within relevant state and national trade associations and help shape association strategy, priorities and advocacy positions.
  • ● Determine when Diageo should lead independently, work through a trade association or participate in a broader coalition to achieve the strongest policy outcome.
  • ● Business Partnership
  • ● Develop a deep understanding of Diageo's commercial strategy, route to market, brands and business model and incorporate that understanding into government relations strategy.
  • ● Build strong partnerships with Commercial, Legal, Finance, Regulatory, Supply and other functions to ensure policy priorities reflect business needs and that stakeholders understand the potential impact of government action.

Requirements

  • ● Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in political science, public policy, government, law, business, communications or a related field; advanced degree is a plus.
  • ● + years of progressively responsible experience in state government affairs, public policy, lobbying, government service, political advocacy or a related field, with significant experience working across multiple states.
  • ● Strong existing relationships within state government and demonstrated ability to develop trusted bipartisan relationships with policymakers and other stakeholders.
  • ● Deep understanding of state legislative and regulatory processes and demonstrated experience developing and executing successful advocacy strategies.
  • ● Strong political judgment and the ability to assess complex and rapidly evolving issues, identify implications and recommend a clear course of action.
  • ● Demonstrated commercial acumen and ability to connect public policy issues to business strategy, customers, consumers and financial outcomes.
  • ● Demonstrated ability to counsel and influence senior executives and collaborate effectively across a complex matrixed organization.
  • ● Exceptional written, verbal and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate complex issues clearly and persuasively to internal and external audiences.
  • ● High degree of initiative, discretion, resilience and accountability, with the ability to operate independently in a fast-moving external environment.
  • ● Ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout the assigned region and to other locations as business needs require.
  • ● Working with Us
  • ● Flexibility is key to our success. Talk to us about what flexibility means to you so that you're supported to manage your wellbeing and balance your priorities from day one.
  • ● Rewards & Benefit
  • ● We recognise and value performance, offering our people a highly competitive Rewards and Benefits package.
  • ● Feel inspired Then this may be the opportunity for you.
  • ● If you require a reasonable adjustment, please ensure that you capture this information when you submit your application.
  • ● Recruitment Scam Warning
  • ● Protecting candidates is very important to us. All communications regarding your application will come from an email address ending in @diageo.com. In our recruitment process, we'll never ask for money.
  • ● Worker Type : Regular Primary Location: Chicago Sales Office Additional Locations : Job Posting Start Date : 2026-09-28
  • ● CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: SALARY RANGE IS FROM 149.625 TO 249.375 (ANNUAL)