Role Overview

Drive policy advocacy, regulatory engagement, and stakeholder management in India for the automotive business, supporting the Group’s vision in mobility across all segments and legal entities in India. Working closely with the EVP - Group Public Affairs and multiple Auto business leaders, this leader will define and execute the public affairs strategy across shaping policy, thought leadership, stakeholder engagement, policy communication and issue management. Additionally, this leader will advise senior management on macro-political developments, legislative risks developments, and regulatory matters impacting the business

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned leader and will possess significant leadership experience in Public Policy, Government Relations, or Corporate Affairs, along with a comprehensive understanding of India’s political, economic, and regulatory environment, as well as insights into global policy developments. This role involves cultivating and maintaining trusted relationships with internal senior leadership, governmental agencies, industry associations, and key stakeholders to enhance the Group’s external profile. This leader must demonstrate the ability to engage effectively with high-level government officials and exhibit strategic vision, maturity, and credibility to represent Mahindra at senior governmental and public platforms.

Key Responsibilities

Thought leadership and shaping Policy

▪ Develop and implement policy advocacy content and strategies aligned with the company’s business strategy and technology roadmap.

▪ Develop strategic responses and advocacy plans in alignment with business priorities.

▪ Monitor, analyse, and interpret policy and regulatory developments affecting the automobile and mobility sector (EV policy, emission standards, fuel efficiency norms, safety standards, import/export policies, taxation (GST), PLI schemes, and scrappage policies. Etc.)

▪ Develop, Engage & represent the company position in consultations with government ministries (e.g., MoRTH, Heavy Industries, Commerce, Power, Environment, NITI Aayog) and regulatory agencies.

▪ Support leadership with policy insights, impact assessments, and position papers.

Government & Institutional Relations

▪ Build and nurture strong, transparent relationships with central and state government officials, policymakers, and statutory authorities.

▪ Act as the Mahindra automotive business primary interface with industry associations (e.g., SIAM, ACMA, CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM) and contribute to industry-wide initiatives.

▪ Facilitate collaboration, MOUs, and public-private collaborations to support business expansion, R&D incentives, and localization efforts.

▪ Organize policy dialogues, government delegations, and plant visits to showcase the company’s technological leadership and economic contribution.

Corporate Reputation & External Affairs

▪ Develop thought leadership initiatives on mobility, innovation, and sustainability.

▪ Engage with industry associations, think tanks and academia to strengthen the company’s reputation as a responsible and future-ready automotive leader.

▪ Support the management of regulatory crises or sensitive issues, ensuring consistent, fact-based engagement with authorities and the public.

Support for international operations

▪ Support regulatory unlocks and policy advocacy in key international markets where the company operates or exports—focusing on trade policy, tariffs, and EV technology regulations.

▪ Develop position, including those under India’s trade missions or international automotive forums.

Sustainability Interface

▪ Align public affairs strategy with the company’s sustainability agenda (e.g., EV transition, decarbonization, circular economy).

▪ Advocate for enabling frameworks and incentives to accelerate clean mobility and manufacturing competitiveness.

Internal Collaboration & Governance

▪ Work closely with business units, strategy, legal, compliance, and investor relations to anticipate and manage regulatory risks and opportunities.

▪ Lead internal policy councils or steering committees to ensure alignment of business strategy with public policy developments.

▪ Provide regular updates to leadership and board committees on the automotive public policy landscape.

▪ Train and sensitize internal stakeholders on regulatory developments and compliance matters.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

Professional experience

▪ 15–25 years of experience in Public Affairs, Government Relations, or Policy Advocacy, preferably in the automobile, mobility, or manufacturing sectors.

▪ Demonstrated success in influencing high value (either strategic or $ impact on business top-line or bottom-line) policy outcomes and managing high-level government relationships.

▪ Experience with large, multi-faceted multinational or diversified Indian business groups preferred.

▪ Deep understanding of India’s regulatory and policy ecosystem and strong relationships at top echelons / leaders at Central and State governments is essential.

Experience in a complex stakeholder management environment

▪ Able to influence and work closely with multiple stakeholders at top levels and demonstrate a high level of personal accountability to outcomes.

▪ Experience in effective handling of crisis and issue management scenarios and ability to make and drive buy-in for tough decisions in large organizations.

Strong relationships & networking skills

▪ Have relevant and strong relationships with key policy makers and government agencies and other members of the ecosystem including lobbyists, PR agencies, industry associations, NGOs, the media and key influencers / opinion makers.

Leadership skills & Team Management

▪ Experience working and communicating effectively to business and govt leaders and demonstrated skills in dealing at the executive level in large organization.

▪ Possess outstanding leadership skills with proven ability to influence.

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

Acting Strategically

▪ Sees the big picture (business + policy), connects the dots, finds strategic value for auto GPA through identifying high value opportunities and anticipating & mitigating risks.

▪ Mastery at developing compelling arguments that can appeal to Govt and serve country/industry and Mahindra.

▪ Wholistically understands Govt and policy and comprehends the business end-to-end to be able to consider implications across different sections of the govt and parts of the business.

Driving Results

▪ Unlock demonstrable value for business through policy.

Communicating effectively

▪ Effective communication and presence in external forums.

▪ Strong writing and strategic framing.

emerging or potential conflicts among all stakeholders and takes steps to pre-empt them

Copilot said:

Collaborating and Influencing

▪ Identifies all necessary stakeholders and connects with them to gain support or agreement.

▪ Negotiates with a genuine give-and-take approach that takes all parties’ perspectives into account.

▪ Takes advantage of opportunities to build strategic relationships to achieve a specific outcome.

▪ Engages others in open dialogue and adapts own influence approach to different stakeholders in ways that address their interests or concerns.

▪ Anticipates emerging or potential conflicts among all stakeholders and takes steps to pre-empt them.

SVP - Group Public Affairs

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