GR manager: who is this and what does it do?

Our time gives rise to a large number of new, previously unprecedented professions. At the mention of the position of GR-manager, many can not answer who it is and what it does. It's time to understand this topic and establish what kind of specialist.

The GR manager is, literally translated into Russian, just government employee. The fact is that no company can do without dense and increasingly intensified contacts with the state. At the same time, we also have to interact with large public organizations, with “caring people”. Only a company that will do this constantly and clearly can succeed. Simply pushing and pursuing your line with “stubborn pressure” has long been impossible.

Only a clear negotiation strategy and the ability to find compromises help out. And here you can’t do without specialists, who will be ready to conduct these very negotiations. In our country, GR managers began to appear no earlier than the mid-2000s. Any noticeable number of them was required only in the early 2010s. All the same, the differences in corporate culture and in the interaction of business with the authorities affected.

And - what is the difference between real and formal hierarchies in the end. Very large companies could afford real luxury - an invitation to “interaction managers” from abroad.

Independent training of such specialists in our country began and not so long ago. Such managers not only communicate with representatives of state bodies themselves - they contribute to the efficient organization of negotiations between these representatives and the management of the company. In many cases, communicating her position to officials is possible only through special seminars and conferences. All these events have to be carefully organized and taken into account in the process of a huge number of nuances.

A successful GR manager is above all a very flexible and contact person. He is obliged to use all available means and opportunities to defend the interests of the company. Sometimes you even have to go to negotiations in an informal setting. And here the line is very thin, separating legitimate lobbying from corruption schemes. The professional’s task is to achieve the set goal without crossing this line.

The fact that there are not too many specialists in the field of GR management is encouraging. The chance to take a very good position (or one that will become good after a few years) is now very high. Of course, it all depends on the candidate’s luck and “grip”, on the ability to assess the merits of the vacancy and its prospects in the coming period. In addition, the role of state regulation and interaction with state bodies will only grow. Authorities of various levels are a stable source of income.

Public procurement, especially in the field of defense and special order, is practically a "gold mine". They will be provided with money even when the situation is not so clear in other areas. And therefore, the demand for people who can establish contacts with government customers will always be very important. Yes, and timely information about what changes are coming, what new regulations will appear, sometimes saves millions of companies. But working as a GR manager does not have only positive aspects.

Any erroneous or poorly thought out step means serious material and reputational losses. because managers will actually be in constant stress, constant tension. You will have to carefully monitor every step you take, follow any word and gesture. A working day in such a profession, for obvious reasons, cannot be standardized. Sometimes you have to go on business trips, on business trips; even working in your city, you will need to prepare many documents, and even more documentation will have to be studied.

It should also be understood that The GR-manager in a number of companies behind the scenes becomes a corruption manager. Because of fierce competition, sometimes management is forced to take such extreme measures to advance their interests. And he does not care about the risk of an employee.

In job descriptions for this specialty they usually write that it implies:

• protection and promotion of the general interests of the company in the activities of state bodies and municipalities;
• tracking of the most significant events and events in public, state, city, regional life, in culture and sports (and their use for the benefit of the company);
• tracking of all fresh bills and their changes, regulatory acts of departmental and territorial level (with an assessment of their impact on business prospects);
• holding meetings and negotiations with government representatives in person;
• preparation of such meetings for the management of the company and its other representatives, which will be necessary;
• successful resolution of crisis situations and conflicts with state authorities;
• maximum familiarization of state bodies and their leaders, in particular with the activities of the company, with its capabilities, achievements and long-term plans;
• maximum use of legal methods of obtaining state, municipal and departmental contracts.

Getting into the number of GR-managers, as already shown by a brief description of their activities, is not so simple. Even from beginners, they expect very serious business and practical qualities. It is absolutely impossible to get a job without a higher education. It is imperative to clearly understand what the company specializes in, what its advantages and disadvantages are compared to competitors, and how, through interaction with the state, strengthen the advantages and weaken weaknesses. Sometimes, as it grows, the business becomes relevant for the company lobbying in international organizations and government agencies of foreign countries.

This also falls on the shoulders of the GR-manager, who therefore simply must develop in these areas. Very soon, it seems, they will stop taking people without knowledge of foreign languages. Much depends on the ability to conduct business correspondence, to draw up documents. It is imperative - already in the very essence of the profession - to clearly understand how state bodies of all levels are organized and work. A plus for the candidate will be representation of public organizations (at least basic in the country and region) and understanding of how they can help the company.

GR manager requirements also include the ability to analyze consumer preferences and market situations. This will make it possible to establish contacts with the authorities proactively, anticipating what is needed in a few months or even years. Be sure to anticipate the efforts that competitors will make - and try to prevent them. Almost all companies single out those candidates who have worked in the civil service for at least a year. Experience in public organizations of any kind is also welcome.

Of course, personal qualities to the manager of relations with the state are also important. The main requirement in this regard is sociability, because negotiations sometimes take more than one hour, but over several days or even weeks. The manager must demonstrate leadership skills, try to play the “first fiddle” in communication with government officials. It’s not about ordinary manipulation or “swift pressure” - this is a whole art, how to push the interlocutors to the desired solution.

Gr-manager must also initiativebecause no one can tell him in the negotiation process what move to do, what can be offered to the interlocutors and what not. The ability to get out of awkward situations without loss is very important. He will find himself in such a position only a patient, hardy and disciplined person with maximum attention to detail. Such work is accompanied by constant stress, and therefore the stability of the nervous system is extremely important.

Plays a huge role strategic thinking. At the same time, one must also be able to switch quickly from strategic to “tactical” mode in order to prevent a mismatch between them. Each situation is unique, and therefore will require the ability to quickly understand the essence of things.

In Russia, there are few more institutions that train GR managers. Predictably, the famous RANEPA. You can also try your luck at:

• Financial and Economic University of Moscow;
• University of Tuva;
• St. Petersburg Trade Union University;
• Kemerovo State University.

You will have to take exams not only in the Russian language and mathematics, but also in social studies. Entering the specialty "foreign regional studies", you will still need to take a test in a foreign language (of your choice). After graduation, it is recommended to work in government. An ideal bridgehead is the apparatus of the federal government and individual ministries (departments), including at the regional level.

Also fit:

• chambers of commerce;
• positions in PR departments;
• antitrust service;
• Rospotrebnadzor;
• Rostekhnadzor;
• Rosprirodnadzor;
• Rosnedra;
• Rosleskhoz;
• Rosvodresursy;
• Rosrybolovstvo;
• Minvostokrazvitiya;
• Rosfinmonitoring;
• state corporations and extrabudgetary funds;
• administrations of regions, cities and areas.