Senior Policy Manager

Good Food Institute Europe

About the Organisation

Good Food Institute Europe (GFI Europe) is a nonprofit think tank at the forefront of the movement to transform meat production to solve some of the world’s biggest problems, from climate change and global hunger to antibiotic resistance and animal suffering. Our vision is a thriving world, fed sustainably.

With a nonprofit entity in Belgium, a branch in the UK and colleagues working from seven other countries that make up GFI Europe, we are also part of an international network of affiliates. We advance the science, policies and investment needed to make plant-based, cultivated and fermentation-made meat delicious, affordable and accessible across Europe. Our 2025 Year in Review and our 2025 Europe highlights blog post to find out more about who we are and what we do.

About the role

We are looking for a Senior Policy Manager to join our EU Policy team in Brussels. You will have high responsibility and high impact. You will significantly influence how quickly Europe and the world move to a more ethical and sustainable food system. Reporting to our Deputy Head of Policy - EU, you will be responsible for influencing the EU to increase public investment in research and innovation for alternative proteins.

Responsibilities

• Lead our strategy and engagement for our Research & Innovation (R&I) policy work in Brussels, including influencing the EU’s next research framework programme (FP10/Horizon Europe)
• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials and civil servants at the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of the EU, and other public institutions
• Develop, together with colleagues from our Science & Technology team, policy-relevant recommendations for alternative protein research and innovation
• Share R&I recommendations with relevant officials in the Directorate General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), as well as other relevant European Commission directorates and institutions
• Lead meetings and speak at events with policymakers and scientists;
• Closely monitor and stay abreast of EU R&I policy and legislative developments, as well as positions from other stakeholders, spotting opportunities and pre-empting threats
• Collaborate with other nonprofit organisations, scientists, and other R&I stakeholders, including participating in meetings of formal and informal civil society coalitions, aligning on common objectives and organising joint outreach to decision-makers
• Act as a spokesperson to the media on EU R&I policy, supported by our Communications team, and use social media to help deliver our R&I policy objectives
• Line manage one other member of the EU Policy Team
• Perform other tasks as required.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Required:

• Experience of working on policy in the EU, or at a national or multilateral level, for example in a government, public institution, political party, NGO, think tank, industry association, public affairs agency, consulting firm, lobbying organisation or other relevant institution
• Ability to, and experience of, leading initiatives influencing or shaping legislation or other policies
• Comfort with, and experience of, interacting with public officials or civil servants
• Excellent networking, interpersonal, influencing, and relationship-building abilities, and the credibility and persuasiveness to represent GFI to officials and politicians
• Effective written and verbal communication skills. The ability to convey information clearly and accurately, tailoring the tone and message to various stakeholders
• Strong team spirit and open and collaborative instincts;
• Enthusiasm, a strong work ethic and self-motivation; a sense of ownership and responsibility to drive outcomes. A positive, can-do, hands-on attitude
• Comfort working remotely in a dynamic organisation: the ability to work well independently, set priorities, work on multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines
• Comfort using various software tools and platforms in a remote workplace, and a willingness to learn new systems. Training and support in Google Workspace, Salesforce and Asana will be provided
• Affinity with our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and with maintaining our welcoming and supportive culture
• Experience of line managing others
• Professional working proficiency in English, both written and spoken.

Advantage & Attributes:

• Up-to-date knowledge about relevant EU R&I funding policies, including Horizon Europe, the Food 2030 initiative and follow-up initiatives, or FP10 (‘Framework Programme 10’), the EU’s next R&I funding framework
• A demonstrated ability to work effectively with scientists, research organisations, and think tanks
• Experience working on EU policy related to research & innovation, food, biotechnology, or agriculture
• Strong network of relevant contacts in Brussels
• Strong people management skills, including setting clear objectives, giving regular feedback, and supporting the professional growth of direct reports
• Ability to speak European languages other than English.

Compensation & Benefits

• Home-working allowance (if applicable)
• Holiday pay
• Representation allowance
• Meal vouchers
• Eco vouchers, and professional development allocation

Conditions of employment

• You must have the right to work in Belgium

Working locations

• Home-based
• Possibility of working remotely for periods of time with the approval of your line manager. The whole GFI Europe team will get together in person approximately twice per year for around 3-5 days at a time. Travel costs will be covered by GFI Europe within our travel policy

How to apply

• Apply on our website
• The application deadline is 23rd September 2026, 11.59 pm CET. We will get back to all candidates after that date, no matter the outcome of their application. You should expect to hear back from us within about two weeks of the deadline.

Policies

We want the best people, and we know that building a diverse, inclusive workplace leads to stronger, happier, more productive, and more resilient teams. We strongly encourage people of every ethnicity, orientation, age, gender, origin, socio-economic background, and ability to apply. Because we value a diverse workplace, we prioritize an inclusive culture free of discrimination and harassment during the application process and after you join the team.

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