Director Public Affairs, Communications and Partnerships

Food Drink Europe

About the Organisation

We promote the ideas and policies that enable the European food and drink industry to make products that are not only safe but also contribute to a greener planet, healthier living, and a thriving economy. We want all consumers to enjoy a safe, sustainable, and healthy diet. FoodDrinkEurope’s permanent secretariat, based in Brussels, maintains close contacts with European and international institutions and is a major partner in consultations on all issues affecting Europe’s food and drink industry.

FoodDrinkEurope coordinates the work of more than 700 experts through its Committees and Expert Groups around four themes: food and consumer policy (food safety and science, nutrition and health), environmental sustainability, and competitiveness.
Through these Committees and Expert Groups, Europe’s food and drink manufacturers provide broad and in-depth expertise.

They contribute to FoodDrinkEurope's positions on key issues which, once approved, are communicated to European and international decision-makers with a view to shaping legislative and non-legislative developments impacting on the industry. Food and drink is Europe’s largest manufacturing industry, generating millions of jobs and playing an integral part in driving the EU economy.

Here’s a breakdown of the industry in numbers:

• The EU food and drink industry employs 4.8 million people
• It generates a turnover of €1.5 trillion
• It generates €300 billion in value-added
• In half of the EU’s 27 Member States, the food and drink industry is the biggest manufacturing employer
• Around 75% of the EU’s food and drink products are destined for the Single Market
• The EU is the largest exporter of food and drink products in the world, with exports reaching €190 billion and a large trade surplus

About the role

FoodDrinkEurope is looking for an exceptional and inspiring leader to join its senior management team as Director of Public Affairs, Communications, and Partnerships. This is a high-profile role at the heart of EU policy-making and stakeholder engagement for Europe’s largest manufacturing industry. The successful candidate will be a politically savvy strategist, a confident spokesperson, and above all, a positive, proactive leader capable of mobilising teams, members, and partners around a shared vision and clear priorities.

You will lead a highly strategic team of five, while working closely with the various policy teams, the Director General, and FoodDrinkEurope’s membership to maximise the impact, reputation, and influence of the association at the EU level. This is a rare opportunity to shape how one of Europe’s most important sectors positions itself, tells its story, and builds partnerships in a complex and fast-moving political environment.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver an ambitious integrated public affairs, communications, and partnerships strategy aligned with FoodDrinkEurope’s overall objectives and EU policy priorities
• Act as a senior spokesperson for the organisation, representing FoodDrinkEurope with EU institutions, media, partners, and at high-level events
• Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing team of five, fostering a positive, can-do, and collaborative culture
• Support and advise the Director General and policy departments, helping translate complex policy positions into compelling narratives and effective advocacy strategies
• Anticipate political and reputational risks and lead issue and crisis management, ensuring coordination across the membership when needed
• Strengthen FoodDrinkEurope’s reputation and visibility as a credible, forward-looking, and solution-oriented partner
• Identify, build, and manage strategic partnerships and alliances across the EU ecosystem
• Oversee internal communications and member engagement, including close interaction with National Federations and committees
• Ensure coherence and alignment across public affairs, communications, partnerships, and policy work, maximising overall organisational impact.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

• Significant (10+ years) experience in EU public affairs, advocacy, and communications, with a sound understanding of EU institutions and decision-making
• Proven ability to operate confidently in political, diplomatic, and stakeholder-rich environments
• Strong leadership skills, with experience leading and motivating a small team
• Credibility and confidence to act as a trusted internal adviser and external representative
• Excellent communication, networking, and influencing skills, with a talent for building consensus and momentum
• A positive, pragmatic, and strategic mindset, with the energy to engage others and turn ideas into action
• Experience in the agri-food, food and drink, or related sectors is a strong asset
• Fluency in English; additional EU languages are an asset

Compensation & Benefits

• An open-ended Belgian contract with a competitive salary package that includes benefits such as health insurance, meal vouchers, pension scheme, and more.
• A senior leadership role with high visibility and real influence at the EU level
• A dynamic, international, and purpose-driven working environment in Brussels
• The opportunity to work at the heart of Europe’s food and drink sector, helping shape its role in Europe’s future.

Conditions of employment

• You need to be eligible to work in the EU

Working locations

• Brussels, Belgium

How to apply

• Candidates should send a CV and short motivation letter by email, indicating "Director Public Affairs, Communications and Partnerships, your name" in the subject line to the Dober Partners team members, Mark Dober M: +32 477 950 466 [email protected] and Natalia Kurop M: +32 488 945 579 [email protected]

Policies

Food Drink Europe is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse working environment where different perspectives are valued. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, age, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or background.

The specialist executive search firm Dober Partners has been retained by Food Drink Europe to draw up a shortlist of prospective candidates against the criteria set out in this document, and using their discretion and expertise to help recruit a new Director of Public Affairs, Communications and Partnerships.

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