(Senior) Advisor Public Affairs & Strategic Communication
Location: Brussels based with travel to Rotterdam (hybrid)
Type: Full-time
Apply to: info(at)future-affairs.eu
Start date: as soon as possible, but latest February/ March 2025
Who Are We Looking For?
You are an experienced Public Affairs Professional eager to think big and work with high impact trailblazers from start-ups to corporates, investors and non-profits.
As someone with an entrepreneurial mindset, you enjoy rolling up your sleeves and building up the Brussels office alongside the founder and managing director of Future Affairs, who is frequently in Brussels.
You are an entrepreneurial mind, a self-starter and bring a creative, pragmatic growth-mindset.
The ideal candidate does not only care about our common future but can also see the difference between more of the same narratives and industry understanding based position papers – and knows how to write them.
Speaking about out-of-the-box thinking: Having experience on the industry side and also outside of the Brussels bubble is an asset.
What Are We Looking For?
We expect the successful candidate to have a combination (not necessarily all) of the following:
Must-Haves / Strong Foundation
· University-level education (Master's degree or equivalent);
· 5-6 years+ experience in Public Affairs and Strategic Communication in an EU politics and policy context; ideally also on a Member State level (France, Germany)
· Familiarity with the EU regulatory landscape for critical technologies such as biotech, but also other relevant files for decarbonization and strategic autonomy
· Excellent communication skills in English (verbal and written): proficiency in German, Dutch, French or Spanish is a plus;
· Network in an EU policy context
· Proven analytical, and research skills;
· Excellent writing skills
· Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, team members and deadlines, and respond flexibly in a high-growth, evolving environment;
· Team player with strong interpersonal skills and a professional demeanor when engaging with clients and stakeholders;
· Highly motivated to work on critical technologies, decarbonization, resilience and strategic autonomy and climate related files and develop new creative approaches and narratives;
· A growth mindset and entrepreneurial drive: proactivity, curiosity, willingness to take initiative, and capacity to adapt.
Valuable / Preferred Experience & Skills
· Experience in both, consulting business and industry practice;
· Team management experience;
· Experience in event management (both online and offline).
Key Responsibilities
· Brussels based point-of-contact, manage our Brussels based activities in strong collaboration with the Rotterdam colleagues;
· Lead or support the development of public affairs / advocacy strategies, including mapping policy landscapes, identifying risks, opportunities and entry points.
strengthen strategic relationships with key EU decision-makers, policymakers, and influencers;
· Proactively identify and cultivate new strategic partnerships;
· Track legislative and regulatory developments at EU and (where relevant) national level (e.g. Novel Foods, food safety, GMO/biotech, sustainability/food systems, trade)
· Prepare policy briefs, position papers, regulatory analyses, consultation responses, and internal client-facing memos;
· Engage with public authorities, industry associations, academia, NGOs and civil society - representing clients at meetings, hearings, or multi-stakeholder forums;
· Build and nurture stakeholder networks, manage relationships, alliances, or coalitions;
· Manage and coordinate joint initiatives and collaborations with partners;
· Oversee or contribute to project management: timelines, budgets, deliverables, quality control, client communication;
· Support event conception, planning, execution (e.g. workshops, webinars, conferences);
· Contribute to business development, proposal writing, and client pitches;
· Develop internal processes, knowledge tools, and frameworks to strengthen the practice;
· Stay current on scientific, technological, commercial, and regulatory trends in alternative proteins and related sectors;
· Representation at high-level meetings, conferences, and events, actively engaging with stakeholders and building further our network;
· Ability to travel (approximately one day per week to Rotterdam) and to other events across Europe.
_______________________________________
About Future Affairs Consulting
We don’t want to start with us, but what others say about us.
What clients and partners value about us is “understanding of Brussels but also a good 360 degree view on industry needs across the value chain and technological platforms” and “you stand out with substance, creativity and high energy”.
Future Affairs is a first-of-its kind impact-driven strategic advisory & advocacy firm that operates at the intersection of business, policy, tech and innovation. We partner with start-ups, scale-ups, corporates, non-profits and investors to craft strategies in regulated, high-stakes domains - from biotechnology to other critical technologies, all relevant to secure European autonomy, decarbonise and protect our democracies.
The Ministry of Future Affairs is our new sister organization – a do more than a think tank to future proofing policy and regulation for future generations.
What distinguishes us is that we speak business, policy, politics and regulation - and translate across these worlds to help our clients navigate risk and seize opportunity.
We are a boutique advisory firm. We value diversity of experience and thought.
Our head office is located in the iconic Groot Handelsgebouw in Rotterdam, directly next to Centraal station. We operate with an international, multidisciplinary, multilingual team with a good network also in selected Member States.
________________________________________
Role Overview
As a (Senior) Consultant Public Affairs at Future Affairs, you will work in a fast-evolving, mission-driven environment, taking on substantive responsibilities across policy, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, project delivery, and strategic counsel. You will help shape and execute public affairs strategies for clients working closely with senior leadership, cross-functional teams, external stakeholders, and clients.
You will have the opportunity to lead components of client engagements, interact directly with EU and national decision-makers, and help influence regulation and policy that shapes our common future. You will help develop and grow our portfolio and report directly to the Managing Director.
________________________________________
What We Offer
· The chance to work at a frontier firm combining policy, technology, and high impact;
· Become part of and represent a creative, dynamic high-growth organisation working to deliver on our common future surrounded by internal and external experts navigating politics and policy for cutting edge clients and projects
· A steep learning curve and a supportive, multidisciplinary team environment;
· Personal growth alongside the business;
· Opportunity for real client responsibility and visibility early on;
· Flexible / hybrid working arrangements (Rotterdam / Brussels);
· Competitive salary and benefits package;
________________________________________
How to Apply
· We are an equal opportunity employer. In practice this means that we also want to encourage you to apply if you don’t tick all the boxes (yet).
Please send your CV, a cover letter (explaining your motivation, relevant experience, and what you would bring to the role) to info(at)future-affairs.eu.
· We welcome applications on a rolling basis and look forward to hearing from you!