Manager/Senior Manager Public Affairs

Weber Shandwick; Brussel; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Weber Shandwick, a leading global communications network, seeks a Senior Manager Public Affairs to join our Sustainability team in Brussels. You will manage EU public affairs campaigns, advise clients across regulated sectors, and build strong relationships with media and influencers while guiding cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality outcomes.

You will engage with EU policy processes, stay abreast of political developments, and contribute to sustainability and ESG initiatives.

Qualifications

• 6-7 years’ experience working in EU Public Affairs, either in an agency or in-house.
• Deep understanding of the EU policy-making process and key moments for impactful engagement
• Experience working on sustainability, CSR, climate, ESG, energy, industrial or related policy issues would be an advantage.
• Ability and interest in learning and developing expertise to work across different policy areas.
• Detail-oriented mindset with the ability to work self-sufficiently and manage projects effectively.
• An interest in mentoring and desire to contribute to a collaborative team culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support teams across a range of public affairs campaigns for government, corporate, coalition and trade association clients across defense and other highly regulated industries.
• Develop understanding of how to design and implement public affairs campaigns for corporate and trade association clients.
• Build client relationships by providing counsel to multiple clients, driving execution of tactical plans and managing internal teams to ensure high quality deliverables.
• Manage client expectations ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets and quality standards; manage client, team resources and deliverables around major campaigns.
• Serve as key participant in client meetings and presentations; craft, present and execute integrated communications strategies for major campaigns.
• Conduct and manage the flow of research and materials development necessary to analyze client issues.
• Function across disciplines with knowledge of social media strategies and tactics.
• Monitor media outlets for coverage of client and competitor news, leveraging digital and social outlets, key influencers, etc.
• Understand industry issues that directly and indirectly affect the client.
• Compose media materials and conduct media outreach; proof and edit client related documents.
• Develop and build relationships with media and diverse set of influencers in partnership with our influencer experts.

Skills

Public affairs

Campaign management

Media relations

Budget management

Client relationship mana

Team leadership

Mentoring

Strategic communications

Social media strategy

Influencer outreach

Job description

Weber Shandwick is a leading global communications network that delivers next-generation solutions to brands, businesses, and organizations in major markets around the world. As part of the wider Omnicom Group, we combine global reach with a strong local footprint - serving clients both locally and internationally. Guided by world-class strategic and creative thinkers, we have earned some of the most prestigious awards in the industry.

At Weber Shandwick, we believe in contributing value to earn value—whether that’s earned media, attention, reputation, loyalty, or business. Our culture is dynamic, inclusive, and open-minded. Here, you can be yourself, take ownership of your impact, and collaborate with a diverse team of media experts, strategists, creatives, digital specialists, and policy advisors. We invest in your growth and foster a supportive environment where creativity and innovation thrive.

What's happening?

Weber Shandwick is excited to be seeking a talented Senior Manager Public Affairs to join our Sustainability team.

Working across a portfolio of leading businesses, you will be delivering campaigns that help our clients to navigate an unprecedented time of political change and uncertainty.

This role will offer great exposure to our clients. The ideal candidates will be passionate about politics, and interested in the EU political landscape, and have a desire to work on the cutting edge of the way politics impacts global businesses.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following key attributes:

CLIENT AND WORK

• Lead and support teams across a range of public affairs and issues management campaigns on behalf of government, corporate, coalition and trade association clients, across defense and other highly regulated industries
• Start to develop a thorough understanding of how to design and implement public affairs campaigns on behalf of corporate and trade association clients, with an emphasis on highly-regulated industries
• Build client relationships by providing counsel to multiple clients, driving execution of tactical plans and managing internal integrated teams to ensure high quality deliverables
• Successfully manage client expectations ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets and quality standards; Manage clients, team resources and deliverables around major campaigns and programs
• Serve as key participant in client meetings and presentations; Craft, present and execute integrated communications strategies for major campaigns
• Conduct and manage the flow of research and materials development necessary to analyze client issues
• Function across disciplines with a knowledge of social media strategies and tactics
• Monitor media outlets for coverage of client and competitor news, leveraging digital and social outlets, key influencers, etc.
• Understand industry issues that directly and indirectly affect the client
• Compose media materials (press releases, pitch notes, client briefings, messaging documents, sample Q&A, proposals, bylined articles, supporting social content, etc.), and conduct media outreach
• Proof and edit client related documents
• Develop and build relationships with media and diverse set of influencers in partnership with our influencer experts

SELF LEADERSHIP AND TEAM EFFECTIVENESS

• Begin to participate in the hiring process, partnering with hiring managers to interview candidates and support the onboarding of new team members
• Mentor and train junior team members; may directly manage interns
• Consistently display behaviors that support integration

GROWTH AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

• Participate in brainstorms and planning
• Contribute to new business pitch content creation and organic business growth efforts (proactive/reactive)

BUSINESS ACUMEN

• Continue to grow financial acumen by managing budgets, assisting with account budget and time entry analyses, and supporting account invoicing
• Work more closely with manager and finance to better understand any client issues that may impact the business
• Begin working with legal on vendor agreements

What We’re Looking For

• 6-7 years’ experience working in EU Public Affairs, either in an agency or in-house. Previous experience in European Institutions is a significant plus but not required.
• Deep understanding of the EU policy-making process and key moments for impactful engagement
• Experience working on sustainability, CSR, climate, ESG, energy, industrial or related policy issues would be an advantage.
• Ability and interest in learning and developing expertise to work across different policy areas.
• Detail-oriented mindset with the ability to work self-sufficiently and manage projects effectively.
• An interest in mentoring and desire to contribute to a collaborative team culture.