Public Affairs Deputy Director / Head of Brussels office

Hanson Search; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A consulting firm in the UK seeks a Public Affairs Deputy Director to manage the Brussels office. The role involves overseeing operations, coaching a team, and expanding the client portfolio. Candidates must possess strong communication skills, be project management proficient, and have a bilingual proficiency in English and French. This opportunity offers the chance to contribute to a forward-thinking company culture.

Qualifications

• Ability to collaborate effectively in a cross-team environment.
• Openness to diverse policy areas.
• Knowledge of managing client accounts.

Responsibilities

• Manage clients’ budgets and deadlines.
• Act as a trusted advisor for public affairs campaigns.
• Facilitate optimal dialogue with decision-makers.

Skills

Strong communicator

Project management

Business development-oriented

Curiosity about economic and political matters

Proficient in English

Proficient in French

Job description

Overview

Application is now closed for this role, please view other opportunities or submit your CV in the form below to be updated on other similar roles.

Our client is an independent consulting firm specialising in institutional strategy and market development and operates across various economic sectors – Energy, Agri-food, Health, Digital, Environment, Transport and Distribution. With offices in Brussels, Paris and Berlin, their multicultural team brings a diverse perspective to European and national issues.

Their three pillars encompass understanding the institutional environment (including legislative and regulatory audits, monitoring and training); positioning and intervention in the institutional decision-making process (involving strategy definition and proposing amendments); and market development and support for specific procedures (including public procurement, calls for proposals, and financing/partner research).

The role of the Public Affairs Deputy Director (Head of the Brussels office) involves team management, overseeing office operations, coaching an international team of Senior Consultants in public affairs, and expanding the client portfolio. Active involvement in generating new business, strong research skills, and an ability to understand client needs are essential for the role, shaping the future of the agency.

The organisation nurtures a professional, dynamic and inclusive environment, with a creative and vibrant atmosphere which values each team member. This role offers an opportunity to contribute significantly to a forward-thinking company culture.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing clients’ budgets, prioritising and meeting deadlines. Taking a hands-on approach by leading client accounts and shaping new business strategies.
• To act as a trusted advisor to your clients and bring your expertise in running public affairs campaigns.
• Aligned with client objectives, to analyse risks and opportunities to define the most relevant institutional strategy.
• Facilitating optimal dialogue with key decision-makers through activities such as organising meetings, crafting arguments, and proposing text modifications.
• Setting the team up for success on a day-to-day basis, whilst working with the clients to identify and address their emerging strategic needs.
• Nurturing and expanding client relationships; identifying potential leads and areas of growth with existing clients, as well as broader new business leads.
• Being integral to shaping the agency’s future, contributing to its growth and success.
• Training and guiding junior team members and contributing to company culture.

Key Requirements:

• Strong communicator with the ability to collaborate effectively in a cross-team environment.
• Proficient in project management, meeting deadlines and promoting teamwork.
• Openness to diverse policy areas and a willingness to tackle new policy briefs.
• Knowledge of managing day-to-day operations of client accounts, responding to client requests, delegating tasks and collaborating with the senior team.
• Business development-oriented and proactive self-starter, able to attract clients and identify business opportunities.
• Possesses an entrepreneurial mindset, capable of driving account growth, securing new business, and pioneering new service offerings.
• Naturally curious about economic, political and social matters, with a desire to stay up to date with the current news and trends.
• Proficient in English and French language is a must.

If you have the relevant experience and this opportunity sounds interesting to you, please get in touch with our team including a copy of your CV as soon as possible via the form below.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all. Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. You can access our Diversity and Inclusion Policy here.

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