- Location
- Seoul, Korea, Republic of
- Type
- Full-time
- Department
- Marketing
- Seniority
- Manager
- Experience
- 10+ years
- Source
- Workday
Description
Role Overview
The Korea Government & Public Relations Manager is responsible for establishing and scaling a low-risk, structured GR, PR, Social Impact and Crisis Management foundation in Korea from market entry through long-term operation.
The role adopts a phased, disciplined approach to government and public engagement — prioritizing compliance, discretion, and internal alignment in the early stage, while gradually building credibility, trust, and reputation once local capability is in place.
This role serves as the strategic lead of Korea GR & PR, ensuring that government engagement, media relations, supporting and preparing the General Manager for public appearances or interviews, and public narratives are consistently aligned, well-timed, contextually appropriate, and inline with the business objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Government Relations (GR)
Foundation & Risk Control
- Map and prioritize Korean regulatory and policy stakeholders, including:
- Food & beverage authorities
- Labour and employment regulators
- Foreign business–related sensitivities
- Conduct regulatory, policy, and sentiment risk scans relevant to market entry and operations
- Develop internal GR holding positions, playbooks, and escalation frameworks
- Advise internal stakeholders on government-facing sensitivities and engagement boundaries
External Platforms & Bilateral Channels
- Manage relationships with local and international business chambers and industry bodies, public entities and organizations, communities, community leaders, key opinion leaders, regulators.
- Engage China-linked business platforms where relevant, with sensitivity and discretion
Public Relations & Strategic Communications
PR–GR Narrative Alignment
- Ensure public messaging aligns with regulatory context and government sensitivities
- Coordinate GR and PR narratives to avoid misalignment, overexposure, or unintended signaling
- Serve as the internal gatekeeper for external-facing narratives involving public authorities
Media & Issues Management
- Develop media strategy aligned with market-entry risk profile
- Handle media inquiries related to regulation, policy, or foreign business positioning
- Prepare issue and crisis communication scenarios incorporating GR considerations
- Coordinate closely with APAC and global teams during sensitive situations
Reputation & Contribution Building
- Shift communications focus from risk management to reputation building over time
- Develop narratives around employment, quality, compliance, and local contribution
- Avoid campaign-driven or symbolic PR in favor of credibility-led communications
- Integrate CSR, sustainability, and local community engagement into long-term brand and reputation strategy
- Highlight responsible sourcing, environmental impact reduction, and social value creation aligned with local expectations
- Build partnerships with local communities and stakeholders to demonstrate genuine, long-term commitment to Korea
Internal Alignment & APAC Collaboration
- Act as the central alignment point between Korea GM, Marketing, Legal, Operations, and APAC
- Ensure all government- or authority-related engagements are internally aligned and approved
- Report regularly on GR/PR landscape, risks, and engagement outcomes
- Transition ownership from APAC-led framework to locally led execution with strategic alignment
Preferred Skills
- 10+ years of experience in Government Relations, Public Affairs, PR, or Strategic Communications
- Strong understanding of the Korean regulatory, policy, and media landscape
- Experience managing sensitive issues involving foreign or multinational companies
- Proven ability to operate discreetly, strategically, and with strong judgment
- Comfortable working in matrixed, regional–local environments
- Fluent in Korean and English
- Experience in F&B and/or retail industries is highly advantageous
- Corporate relations and communications experience
- Strong capability in senior executive and key stakeholder engagement
- Deep understanding of the political, regulatory, and media landscapes
- High resilience and adaptability in managing complex and high-pressure situations
Skills
Risk ManagementCompliance