Sustainability - Public Affairs - Senior Consultant

Sustainability - Public Affairs - Senior Consultant

Acumen Public Affairs

Brussels, Belgium

Are you a public affairs professional with a track record on circularity files, ready to take on greater ownership, leading client accounts, shaping strategy, and mentoring junior colleagues? Are you energised by the pace of the EU's circular economy agenda and want to be at the table as it's written?

Then this opportunity is for you.

What we are looking for:

We are looking for a Senior Consultant to take a leading role within our Sustainability team in Brussels. The candidate will manage client relationships directly, lead projects, and support in developing the type of strategic advice that some of the most active files in Brussels demand right now.

The role includes working in client accounts, drafting high-level policy analysis and advocacy strategy, representing Acumen in external engagements, identifying new business opportunities, and coaching and reviewing the work of junior team members.

Essential:

• EU national or Belgian work permit holder
• Perfect command of English; additional languages are an asset
• A client-oriented mindset, ability to lead projects and project teams and deliver high quality outputs
• Advanced writing skills and ability to summarise complex issues to different audiences
• Strong organisational and project management skills, proven through concrete previous examples and track record
• Flexibility, enthusiasm and ability to work under tight deadlines in an international environment
• Ability to work in a team, whilst at the same time carrying out own tasks independently and to agreed deadlines
• Proficient with IT and new media tools
• Good references

Experience and knowledge:

• At least three years of relevant experience working on circularity and resource-efficiency files, gained in an EU institution, consultancy, an in-house public affairs role, a trade association, or an NGO
• Strong working knowledge of EU institutions and the legislative process, with hands-on experience across circular economy and product policy files
• Applied experience on one or more of the following issues is expected: the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), Single Use Plastics Directive (SUPD), Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, and Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)
• Ready to take (we are talking “plug-and-play" type of ready) on advisory work as the Circular Economy Act and the European Product Act move through consultation and legislative development
• Familiarity with low-carbon solutions and industrial decarbonisation policy (e.g. Clean Industrial Deal, CBAM, industrial decarbonisation frameworks) is a strong additional asset
• Experience in policy monitoring and coalition-building is a plus
• Prior experience contributing to business development (proposals, pitches, client scoping) is also a strong asset