Secretary General

Municipal Waste Europe

About the Organisation

Municipal Waste Europe (MWE) is the European umbrella association representing public waste management authorities and operators across Europe. The organisation contributes to EU-level policymaking by articulating the collective interests of its members in relation to waste management, circular economy, resource efficiency, and environmental sustainability.

Established as an AISBL and headquartered in Brussels, MWE operates in close interaction with EU institutions, Member States, and key stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of European waste and environmental legislation.

About the role

Municipal Waste Europe is seeking to appoint a Secretary General to lead the organisation and its Secretariat. Reporting to the Board and accountable to the members, the Secretary General will assume overall responsibility for the strategic direction, day-to-day management, and external representation of the association. This is a senior executive role requiring demonstrated authority, judgement, and leadership capacity at the European level.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide overall leadership and management of Municipal Waste Europe and its Secretariat.
• Hold executive responsibility for staff leadership, budget management, operational delivery, and internal governance.
• Ensure robust financial governance, transparency, and internal control systems, in line with best practices for membership-based international organisations.
• Represent MWE at the senior level vis-à-vis EU institutions, policymakers, Member State representatives, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Lead the organisation’s policy engagement and advocacy work, in particular in relation to EU waste legislation, circular economy and resource efficiency policies, and climate and environmental policies affecting the waste sector.
• Support and advise the Board on strategic priorities, policy positioning, and organisational development.
• Act as the organisation’s principal spokesperson in high-level meetings, conferences, and public forums.
• Manage internal and external stakeholder relations by maintaining close engagement with members and key stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive understanding of their priorities and positions.
• Take a leading role in driving membership growth by actively identifying opportunities, engaging prospective members, and strengthening the organisation’s value proposition.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Experience & Qualifications:

• A successful candidate should demonstrate an established track record in leadership roles, with responsibility for organisational management, including staff leadership, financial oversight, and delivery against strategic objectives.
• Experience should include leading and senior functions in a multi-stakeholder and European and international context, which will be considered accordingly.
• Candidates must bring deep and demonstrable expertise in the European waste management sector, including its regulatory, institutional, and policy dimensions. Senior leadership experience gained within the waste management industry and related public services is considered a strong asset.
• A thorough and practical understanding of EU legislative and policymaking processes relevant to the waste sector is required, particularly in the areas of waste, circular economy, resource efficiency, and environmental regulation.
• An established professional network within European waste, environmental, sustainability, and circular economy policy communities is required. 
• Candidates should also demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective professional relationships.
• Proven ability to operate within and reinforce transparent, accountable governance structures in membership-based or public-interest organisations.
• Professional fluency in English and a strong working proficiency in French.

Experience, Considered, Significant & Advantage:

• Previous professional experience within the EU institutions (European Commission, European Parliament, Council, and EU agencies) and roles involving regular interaction with them.
• Direct exposure to EU legislative procedures, policy development, and implementation processes.
• Experience working with Boards and governance bodies in membership-based, public-interest, and regulated-sector organisations.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive remuneration and benefits, commensurate with the seniority of the position and aligned with Belgian employment standards.
• A senior executive position within a well-established European association with a recognised role in shaping EU waste, circular economy and sustainability policy.
• A strategic leadership role based in Brussels, at the centre of the EU policy environment.

Working locations

• Rue d’Arlon 63, 1040 Brussels, Belgium

How to apply

• Interested candidates are invited to submit the following documents in English:
  • A detailed curriculum vitae.
  • A motivation letter (maximum two pages) outlining relevant experience and interest in the position.
  • Contact details for three professional references.
• Applications should be sent to: [email protected] by 30th March 2026.

Policies

Municipal Waste Europe is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

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