Senior Associate - Public Affairs

PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER, Integrated Media Belgian Market (Dutch)

 

About us

Weber Shandwick has always been at the forefront of innovative communications. Our belief is that you have to contribute value to earn value. Value that is worthy of earned media, earned attention, earned reputation, earned loyalty and earned business. Engagement is our currency in communications. No value, no engagement.

 

We’re lucky to attract some of the best minds in PR & Comms. Our team is dynamic, open-minded, and fun. At Weber Shandwick, you can be yourself and own your impact. We make sure that our account teams not only exist of media experts and strong communicators, but also of specialists in strategy and planning, policy advisors, digital experts, and award-winning creatives.

 

About the job

We are looking for an experienced Manager with around 5 years of earned strategy and media relations expertise. You would be working on some of our Belgian market key clients in different industries (Technology, Professional services, Sustainability, Food & Agriculture and Healthcare). With the ability to involve and manage different levels of stakeholders, from clients to media to other senior colleagues. You must be native/bilingual in Dutch and have a good command of English. Knowledge of French is a plus.

Your focus will be on all that relates to corporate communications, media relations and thought leadership profiling. Other responsibilities include recommending programs and activities, coordinating with clients’ goals, effectively delegating projects and offering counsel to junior team members. Experience in issues and crisis communications is a plus.

 

What you’ll be doing

• Maintain daily client contact, serving as a trusted resource and advisor.
• Translate communications plans and strategies into day-to-day tactics.
• Counsel clients and colleagues on establishing effective relationships with journalists.
• Lead or co-lead story mining sessions with subject matter experts and client executives; develop news-making story angles that drive coverage results.
• Understand news cycles, cultural shifts, industry trends and issues that directly and indirectly affect the client and analyze and distill meaningful insights from media coverage in Belgium. Understanding of the pan European/Brussels media landscape is a plus.
• Generate story ideas and topic angles, draft media materials, and pitch media to land earned coverage.
• Develop strategic messaging; support creation of integrated media plans and proposals.
• Stay on top of news, trends and influencers in specific industries and be able to link these to your clients’ objectives.
• Participate in agency development and assist with new business.

 

What we’re looking for

• Track record experience of working in public relations in an agency environment or in-house (around 5 years’ experience).
• Proven experience in media relations / corporate communications and thought leadership. Preferably in the professional services and HR industry. Other areas of interest include sustainability, food & agriculture, technology and healthcare.
• Demonstrate established relationships with Belgian media (reporters, editors, producers, podcasters, freelancers and contributors).
• Demonstrated success with media strategy, story development, and pitching.
• Experience writing PR plans and proposals.
• Can work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent oral and written business communication skills.
• Instills confidence with clients and colleagues.
• Strong communicator combined with strong project management skills.
• Proactive character, able to navigate changeable and fast-paced environments with high expectations.
• Able to effectively build internal and external relationships.
• Native/bilingual in Dutch, good command of English, and knowledge of French is a plus.

 

Note from Talent Team

We appreciate the time you took to apply for the role and your recent interest in Weber Shandwick. Unfortunately, due to volume we are not able to get back to everyone individually so if you have not heard back from us unfortunately you have not been successful on this occasion and wish you all the best in your search.

At Weber Shandwick we are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

Account Director Public Affairs, Technology team

 

What’s Happening?

Weber Shandwick Brussels creates world-class work and word’s got out…Our reputation for delivering engaging campaigns that strike up conversations between policy makers and companies means we’re working with an enviable client list across a diverse range of sectors including; technology, healthcare, energy, sustainability, financial services and food and agriculture.

Our Technology team is looking for an Account Director, Public Affairs to join us in our Brussels office. This is a great opportunity to have an impact on high-profile clients and to grow in a global, award-winning agency.

 

What you’ll be doing

• Focusing predominantly on Technology policies, with occasional support required in other fields such as Sustainability;
• Managing a client portfolio, being the client’s primary contact and ensuring quality and timeliness in the delivery of Public Affairs strategies and services against budget
• Working alongside the team lead to grow the existing client portfolio, including identifying potential new clients and leading in the development of new business proposals
• Managing accounts, leading on day-to-day client work, translating client needs into project plans, advising and supporting clients, ensuring that results are achieved and client’s overall objectives are met;
• Under the leadership of senior staff, planning and implementing thought leadership campaigns, outreach programmes and organisation of events;
• Contributing to marketing and business development efforts;
• Supporting in attracting and developing junior staff, including line management responsibilities.

 

What We’re Looking For

• 5-7 years of relevant working experience. Previous experience in other EU Public Affairs agencies or in EU institutions is a bonus.
• An excellent understanding of the EU institutions and political dynamics surrounding digital policy
• Strong business acumen and appreciation of the commercial impact of policy decisions
• An entrepreneurial approach to client servicing and business development – with proven track record of business growth
• A good network in Brussels within Technology policy
• Capability as an advisor, including first class communication and writing skills
• Ability to solve problems and exercise excellent judgment with the ability to think ‘outside of the box’
• Understanding of agency financials and experience budgeting projects.
• Dynamic team player and able to work in a high-performance environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to offer high-level advice on the spot

 

What do we offer?

Weber Shandwick Brussels offers invaluable opportunities for enthusiastic and driven individuals to grow as Public Affairs professionals. We offer a competitive salary with excellent benefits (mobile phone, group insurance, hospitalization & extra medical costs insurance, a representation allowance, lunch vouchers), 20 days annual leave + 10 days extra legal holidays, and flexible working (including up to 6 weeks working from abroad).

We are a global company so we offer the advantages of a big firm, including leading-edge AI and analytics tools and the resources to invest in your personal and professional growth. But, at our heart, we still have the spirit of the small company we used to be: entrepreneurial, ambitious, fun. We are known for our imaginative and powerful campaigns that drive policy change, great client relations, collaboration, and teamwork – and our success is down to our amazing people. We look for original thinkers, who are passionate about policy and politics, and have a point of view, those who are constantly curious, commercially-driven, deliver to a high standard, and are keen to contribute to our success. 

 

About us

Weber Shandwick is a leading global communications network that delivers next-generation solutions to brands, businesses, and organizations in major markets around the world. Led by world-class strategic and creative thinkers and activators, we have won some of the most prestigious awards in the industry. The Weber Shandwick Collective is part of the wider Interpublic Group.

With over 15 different nationalities in the office, Weber Shandwick Brussels truly represents the heart of Europe. We’re lucky to attract some of the best minds in PA, PR & Comms. At Weber Shandwick, you can be yourself and own your impact. We encourage an inclusive work environment where being authentic, caring for each other, and being entrepreneurial is part of our core values. We foster a culture of growth and collaboration, we celebrate the hard work we do, and we care for each other’s wellbeing while doing it. Come work with us and be a part of shaping culture.

 

Note from the Talent Acquisition Team

Weber Shandwick is an Equal Opportunities Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or disability status. We make our careers website accessible to all users, if you need accommodation to participate in the application process, please let your Recruiter know. We got you!