Associate Director/Senior Associate Director, EU Tech Policy

at  APCO Worldwide

APCO Brussels is looking to hire an Associate Director/Senior Associate Director to join our industry-leading Technology Practice. We are looking for well-connected, ambitious, and talented professionals eager to make an impact and drive the work of our diverse team of policy consultants. We work with some of the world’s leading technology firms, including major hardware and software providers, online platforms, satellite and telecommunications firms, European and international tech industry leaders.
Our ideal candidate would need to have a minimum of 7 [Associate Director] – 9 [Senior Associate Director] years of relevant experience in consultancy, in-house government relations roles, European institutions, or within trade associations. You will demonstrate expert knowledge of how the EU policymaking process works with a focus on digital policy, have a strong network across the EU institutions as well as across the tech policy bubble. Ideally you will also have an understanding of consultancy business practices and processes and have a genuine interest in working in a highly impactful fast-pacing role, supported by an energetic and high-performing team.
You will be self-directed, proactive and motivated to win for your clients every day. You will have experience leading teams and managing work streams while also serving as senior counsel on major projects. You will have a desire to learn and grow – both across industries/sectors and communication mediums, such as traditional media, social/digital media, issues advocacy, grassroots, and stakeholder communications. You know how to work with clients and have a positive, proactive attitude that wins the confidence of clients and inspires teams.
By joining our team, you will be working with colleagues across APCO Worldwide’s international network of 32 offices who are open, collaborative, collegiate, supportive and diverse.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 7 years of EU public affairs and strategic communications campaign experience including leading successful teams.
• Exceptional presentation, writing and analytical skills, and the ability to write both strategically and creatively under tight deadlines.
• Solid project management experience, including overseeing a team and multiple deliverables, providing clear and concise feedback to maintain high standards.
• Demonstrated success formulating and leading strategic engagements with external stakeholders.
• Have strong enthusiasm for EU politics and a deep understanding of how connections are built, and policy forged. The ideal candidate should already have a strong network within the EU institutions and broader EU health policy community.

• Lead a wide range of public affairs, strategic communication and issue campaigns for our clients.
• Manage and grow client relationships including overseeing client projects, supervising project teams, allocating resources, and delegating and reviewing work effectively.
• Provide the highest level of client service on a daily basis through proactive account management, serving as the key client contact while also managing staff (both senior and junior) to successfully maintain and grow client relationships.
• Proven experience in managing and leading people, with a demonstrated ability to inspire and support team members to achieve individual and collective goals.
• Design and implement integrated public affairs campaigns to position client issues, messages and priorities with EU and national level policy-makers, media, trade associations, and other third party stakeholders for our clients.
• Lead strategy development and craft effective messages for both prospective clients (as a key part of the new business process) and for existing clients.
• Monitor developments in key client issue areas and flag opportunities for further client engagement.
• Identify and lead new business opportunities for APCO.