Vacancy: Policy Director

Europe is experiencing exciting and challenging times. Digital tools and technologies are shaping our daily lives and transforming different sectors. The European DIGITAL SME Alliance is tasked to represent and support the primary driver of such changes in Europe – small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the ICT sector. Representing over 45,000 SMEs through its national and regional member associations, DIGITAL SME is Europe’s first and largest ICT SME association. Along with the rapid acceleration of Europe’s digital transformation, the Alliance is growing and needs a highly motivated EU Policy Director to strengthen our Brussels-based team!

The selected candidate will shape DIGITAL SME’s policy and advocacy strategies in collaboration with the Secretary-General and will strengthen the synergies between the association’s policy activities and project tasks, specifically by coordinating the activities of the Working Groups

The successful candidate will be a self-driven, experienced professional, willing to take the initiative and able to manage a wide variety of tasks. The EU Policy Director will report directly to the Secretary-General and coordinate the association’s team in all policy-related matters.

Your role and responsibilities

• You will lead DIGITAL SME’s policy activities, articulating our position on relevant files;
• You will lead stakeholder engagement and advocacy activities, including the organisation of seminars, workshops, Working Groups and Focus Groups;
• You will identify, monitor and analyse policy issues and coordinate DIGITAL SME’s response;
• You will contribute to DIGITAL SME’s communication strategy, creating relevant content for press releases, articles, blog posts, etc.;
• You will lead policy-related tasks in the execution of EU funded projects, cooperating with the Projects Director to ensure synergies;
• You will lead DIGITAL SME’s Policy team and coordinate the Project Managers team and Communications team in policy-related matters (e.g. coordination of Working Groups, project-specific policy tasks, policy coverage on the website and social media, etc.);
• You will build relationships with the EU Institutions and other stakeholders shaping the digital debate, representing DIGITAL SME in various events.

Required profile and skills:

• A successful track record of at least 6 years of relevant EU Affairs/ EU policy experience, preferably in a membership-based organisation,
• Proven experience in drafting policy briefs, position papers and concept notes
• Thorough understanding of the EU Institutions, decision-making processes and funding instruments
• Excellent knowledge of EU digital and green policy, including sustainability and circular economy
• Excellent research and analytical skills, including the ability to collect and present information clearly and compellingly;
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and outreach;
• Experience organising events;
• Experience coordinating working groups;
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills in English;
• Fluency in other European languages, especially French or German;
• Completed higher education diploma;
• Results-oriented and able to self-start and implement new tasks and initiatives;
• Strong organisational skills and good time management;
• Legally eligible to work in Belgium.

Work Conditions

As our EU Policy Director, you will be part of a dynamic, international team. Our office is in the heart of the EU district in Brussels, easily accessible by public transportation. Since the pandemic, we have established a hybrid work model, where the team works partly from the office and partly remotely. Flexible working hours are also part of the deal – the Alliance’s organisational culture is result- rather than control-driven.

We offer a full-time, permanent contract and a competitive salary package in line with your skills and experience.

Short missions abroad within the EU will be possible in the foreseeable future.

The European DIGITAL SME Alliance is committed to workplace diversity and inclusion of people from diverse backgrounds, abilities, and experiences. We strongly encourage qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply!

Application procedure

Please send your application by email to s.toffaletti@digitalsme.eu, Cc: i.lanfranchi@digitalsme.eu, subject: “VACANCY/EUPD22”, including the following documents and information:

• CV (Europass template)
• Cover letter (one-page maximum)
• Desired net salary/month
• Earliest date of availability to start the job
• Names and contact details of two references (will not be contacted before having the agreement of the candidate)

Deadline: 31^st August

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Only applications including all the aforementioned documents and information will be considered. Please read this vacancy notice carefully and only apply if you fulfil the essential requirements! Please focus on your technical and professional experience related to this vacancy and your motivation and interest in the Alliance’s work in your cover letter. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Privacy disclaimer: DIGITAL SME ensures a GDPR-compliant treatment of your data. If you don’t want your data to be retained, please indicate this in your application. Please note, that we might keep your CV and all the information provided in your application, so that we can contact you in the future should a similar position open again.