Brussels
Senior Public Affairs Manager: Strategic Industry & Economic Security
Languages: Dutch (native), English (fluent)
Role
Senior Public Affairs Manager with strong expertise in EU energy, industrial and transport policy. Operating at the intersection of business, government and European decision-making, you translate complex regulatory developments into clear strategic positioning and actionable advice for clients.
Ability to combine sharp political instinct with analytical depth and commercial awareness. A seasoned public affairs professional in Brussels, who can build long-term, trust-based relationships and thoroughly understands the EU political decision-making and how to navigate institutional dynamics at EU level.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead public affairs strategies on energy transition, infrastructure, ports and industrial policy. Advise on core EU policy themes across industry and transport, including:
- Competitiveness & strategic autonomy
- Industrial and transport decarbonisation
- Infrastructure investment and cross-border connectivity
- Regulatory simplification and investment climate
- Digitalisation and economic security
- Advancing the circular economy
- Translate policy developments into strategic advice, positioning papers and stakeholder strategies.
- Maintain and expand networks across ministries, parliament, agencies, European institutions and industry associations.
- Accompany and represent clients in stakeholder dialogues, consultations and high-level policy discussions.
- Contribute actively to business development and proposal writing.
- Lead, with other seniors, on Publyon’s own marketing and communications.
- Report directly to the Management Team and contribute to the company’s strategic direction.
- Mentor junior colleagues and strengthen internal knowledge development.
Profile
- 6–10+ years of experience in public affairs, government relations, policy advisory or a related environment.
- Strong knowledge of EU energy, industrial and/or port policy.
- Excellent command of Dutch and English (spoken and written).
- Strategic thinker with strong political antenna and stakeholder sensitivity.
- Comfortable operating independently in a client-facing leadership role.
- Commercially aware and able to identify growth opportunities.
- Team-oriented with mentoring capabilities.
Personal Development & Growth Path
We believe senior professionals should continue to grow. This role includes a structured development framework:
-
Strategic Deepening
- Exposure to cross-sectoral dossiers (climate, innovation, competition, economic security).
- Development into a trusted board-level advisor.
- Leadership Development
- Tailored coaching trajectory.
- Mentoring and supervision of junior consultants.
- Gradual expansion of team leadership responsibilities.
- Commercial & Entrepreneurial Growth
- Active role in client acquisition and sector development.
- Development of thematic propositions (e.g. hydrogen, maritime decarbonisation).
- Contribution to the firm’s strategic positioning.
- Contribution to the firm’s marketing and external communications
- European Exposure
- Structured involvement in Brussels-based engagements.
- Expansion of EU institutional network.
Application procedure
To apply for this position, please send your CV and cover letter (in English) explaining why you would be the right candidate for this position to Els Brands at e.brands@publyon.com. Applications should be sent as soon as possible and no later than 13 March with ‘Application Senior Public Affairs Manager ’ as subject line.
Junior Public Affairs Consultant
Languages: French (native), English (fluent)
We are Publyon
Publyon is looking for a French-speaking Junior Public Affairs Consultant to support on both national public affairs issues in Belgium, Luxembourg and France, as well as EU affairs-related campaigns.
We are strategic advisors in Public Affairs, dedicated to empowering organisations in preparing for the future, especially in the following sectors: sustainability, digitalisation, transport, industry & energy.
Our brand encapsulates the essence of ‘public’ and ‘beyond’, showcasing our relentless commitment to surpassing boundaries to enhance our services.
Publyon supports frontrunners who want to leave a meaningful legacy and share our values. We partner with our clients, connect with many stakeholders and share our expertise to build bridges between policymakers and organisations to ensure a sustainable future.
Making organisations future-proof while societal complexity grows is a tough job. We can only succeed when we do it together, dare to lead and have fun on the go!
We are looking for a highly motivated junior consultant to support our Public Affairs team.
As a Junior EU Public Affairs Consultant you are responsible for:
- Participating in the coordination of complex public affairs programs across multiple teams;
- Structuring internal workflows, timelines and reporting processes to ensure smooth delivery;
- Tracking institutional activities and political & policy developments in a wide variety of interest areas at Belgian, Luxembourgish and French – local, regional and national – level, as well as at EU level;
- Supporting market analysis and client portfolio expansion;
- Supporting in designing public affairs strategies, in defining priorities, and in implementing actions;
- Supporting in translating clients’ broader business objectives into impactful public affairs initiatives;
- Engaging in strategic outreach to key stakeholders;
- Participating in Publyon’s external communications from designing priorities to writing comms materials for our blog and social media.
Who are you?
- 2–3 years of professional experience in Belgian or French institutions and/or EU institutions;
- Native-level French and fluent English; Dutch is an asset;
- Interest in energy, land development and digital policy; prior experience in these fields is an asset;
- Experience in project management is an advantage;
- Excellent organisational skills;
- Proven ability to juggle multiple priorities, and coordinate effectively with colleagues;
- Previous consultancy experience is a plus;
- Eager to network and attend events;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
- Strong analytical capabilities;
- Business acumen and a strategic mindset.
What we offer
- A dynamic and growing environment where personal development and growth are encouraged;
- A team of international Public Affairs professionals who work hard, but also love to share fun moments together;
- An attractive and competitive remuneration package including benefits;
- A lively workplace at WeWork at the heart of Brussels near Belgian & EU institutions.
Application procedure
To apply for this position, please send your CV and cover letter (in English) explaining why you would be the right candidate for this position to Els Brands e.brands@publyon.com. Applications should be sent as soon as possible and no later than 22 March 2026 with ‘Application Junior Public Affairs Consultant‘ as subject line.
Policy communication consultant
Languages: English (fluent)
We are looking for a Policy Communication Consultant to join Publyon and strengthen both our corporate visibility and policy communication work on behalf of our clients.
This hybrid role brings together strategic thinking and hands-on execution, giving you the opportunity to shape Publyon’s narrative while leading communication initiatives for clients active in EU public affairs.
You will translate complex EU policy topics into clear, compelling and creative communication strategies, engage with different stakeholders, and manage content delivery across multiple channels. The position requires strong editorial judgment, organisational skills, and the ability to balance internal priorities with client objectives.
Key responsibilities
Publyon’s external communication (50%)
- Support the development and execution of Publyon’s corporate communication strategy;
- Align messaging with business objectives and ensure consistency across channels;
- Conceptualise, draft, and edit high-quality content, including website copy, newsletters, blog posts, case studies, event materials, and social media;
- Maintain tone of voice, narrative coherence, and brand consistency;
- Coordinate communications around events, webinars, and other milestones;
- Collaborate with the policy team and lead on internal brainstorming sessions for content development;
- Track deadlines and deliverables, monitor progress, and adjust priorities as needed;
- Identify trends and developments in policy communication to make informed decisions.
Client work (50%)
- Identify opportunities for communication support across current clients and in pitches;
- Contribute to proposals and pitch materials to attract new clients;
- Translate client advocacy objectives into impactful and creative policy communication strategies;
- Act as primary point of contact for clients on policy communication assignments;
- Participate in client meetings and presentations, manage expectations, timelines, and scope;
- Review outputs for quality control before client submission and oversee production of deliverables;
- Serve as liaison with audiovisual partner agencies and manage structured feedback processes;
- Analyse campaign performance, prepare client reports, and provide actionable recommendations.
Profile & experience
Education
- Master’s degree in EU affairs, political communication, public policy, communications or related field.
Experience
- 4–6 years of experience in EU public affairs and policy communication;
- Proven experience developing communication strategies linked to advocacy objectives;
- Experience working with EU institutions, trade associations, NGOs, consultancies or corporates active in Brussels.
Skills
- Strong strategic relational and communication skills;
- Excellent command of English (spoken and written);
- Ability to translate complex policy topics into clear narratives;
- Basic understanding of EU policymaking processes;
- Project management and stakeholder engagement skills;
- Analytical mindset with ability to interpret performance data.
Who you are
- Proactive and solution-oriented;
- Creative mind;
- Confident in client-facing settings;
- Strong editorial judgment;
- A storyteller at heart;
- Curious, collaborative and comfortable working across policy and communication teams.
What we offer
- A dynamic and growing environment where personal development and growth are encouraged;
- A team of international Public Affairs professionals who work hard, but also love to share fun moments together;
- An attractive and competitive remuneration package including benefits;
- A lively workplace at WeWork at the heart of Brussels near Belgian & EU institutions.
Application process
To apply for this position, please send your CV and cover letter (in English) explaining why you would be the right candidate for this position to Els Brands at e.brands@publyon.com. Applications should be sent as soon as possible and no later than 30 March with ‘Application Policy Communication Consultant ’ as subject line.
The Hague
Please check the vacancies at The Hague office by clicking here.

