Social Account Director

VP/SVP, Public Affairs (Technology), Belgium  

Brussels  

 

WHAT’S HAPPENING? 

The Public Affairs Practice at Weber Shandwick creates world-class work and word’s got out. Our reputation for delivering engaging campaigns that strike up conversations between EU policy makers and companies means we’re working with an enviable client list across a diverse range of sectors including; digital, energy, transport, sustainability, trade and financial services. 
 
Our EU Public Affairs Practice is growing and we’re looking for a VP/SVP to join our Tech team in the Brussels office. This is a great opportunity to have an impact on high-profile clients across a diverse range of sectors and to grow your career at a global, award-winning agency. 

 

WHAT WILL YOU DO?  

The VP/SVP, Public Affairs Practice Lead (Tech) will lead and grow Weber Shandwick’s EU Technology Public Affairs and Policy Communications offering in Brussels. The role is responsible for setting the practice vision, driving commercial growth, ensuring excellence in strategic counsel and delivery, and developing high-performing teams. 

This leader will be a senior advisor to clients navigating complex EU policy, political and reputational environments – bringing best-in-class capability across EU policy campaigning, government relations, stakeholder engagement, issues management, and integrated communications. 

This role focusses on Tech public affairs, including digital and innovation policy; AI and data-related debates; platform, competition, and industrial policy linkages; cybersecurity and resilience narratives; and trust and license-to-operate issues. 

 

Practice Leadership & Strategy 

• Set the vision and strategic direction for the Brussels Technology Public Affairs practice. 

• Build and evolve differentiated practice positioning, propositions, and go-to-market narratives aligned with Weber Shandwick’s integrated capabilities. 
• Establish and embed best practices for EU policy campaigning—including campaign planning, message discipline, stakeholder activation, rapid response, and measurement. 

 

Client Leadership & EU Policy Campaigning 

• Serve as a senior counselor to C-suite, PA leadership, and in-house EU policy teams—guiding clients through EU policy dynamics and associated reputational risks. 

• Lead the design and delivery of EU policy campaigns end-to-end, including:  

• • policy, political and stakeholder diagnostics (barriers/opportunities and risk mapping); 
  • campaign objectives, theory of change, and target audiences/decision-makers; 
  • narrative, message architecture and proof points (including executive messaging); 
  • stakeholder mapping and engagement plans (EU institutions, member states, trade bodies, NGOs, think tanks, third parties); 
  • coalition building and third-party advocacy activation; 
  • integrated content, earned media and digital engagement to support policy outcomes; 
  • issues management, scenario planning and rapid response; 
  • measurement frameworks and impact reporting (outputs, outcomes, and learning loops). 

• Lead key client relationships and ensure high client satisfaction, retention, and growth through exceptional counsel and delivery. 

• Maintain deep understanding of the evolving EU tech policy environment and translate complexity into clear, actionable campaign strategy. 

Growth & Business Development 

• Own new business growth for Tech PA and EU policy campaigning: pipeline generation, qualification, pursuit strategy, pitch leadership, and conversion. 

• Originate and shape campaign-led proposals that connect policy strategy to communications execution and measurable impact. 

• Partner with Brussels leadership and EMEA/global teams to win multi-market and cross-discipline opportunities. 

• Develop scalable offerings (campaign toolkits, rapid response models, stakeholder intelligence and engagement frameworks) that drive revenue and margin. 

• Contribute to marketing and thought leadership to strengthen Weber Shandwick’s visibility in Brussels as a leading Tech PA and EU policy campaigning adviser. 

Team Leadership & Talent Development 

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of public affairs professionals; create a culture of campaign excellence, learning, and collaboration. 

• Coach teams on EU policy campaigning craft: strategy, messaging, stakeholder engagement, content, and measurement. 

• Provide performance management, feedback, and development planning; identify and develop next-generation leaders. 

• Partner with HR and office leadership on hiring plans, team structure, and capability building aligned to growth goals. 

• Model agency values and actively contribute to building diverse, inclusive teams and culture. 

Operational Excellence & Financial Acumen 

• Drive strong operational delivery across campaign accounts: clear scopes, staffing plans, timelines, and quality control. 

• Manage account profitability in partnership with client leaders and finance—ensuring smart resourcing, appropriate pricing, and healthy margins. 
• Support forecasting, business planning, and practice-level reporting; contribute to wider office performance objectives. 

 

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR 

• Significant experience in public affairs, government relations, political communications, or strategic communications (agency and/or in-house), with a strong Brussels/EU dimension. 

• Demonstrated expertise in EU Tech public affairs and EU policy campaigning, with credibility advising senior stakeholders. 

• Proven track record leading campaign-led advocacy programs with measurable results (stakeholder activation, coalition building, issues preparedness, integrated communications). 

• Strong commercial acumen with experience winning and growing significant client accounts and leading pitches. 

• Excellent strategic thinking, writing and editing skills; confident presenter with executive presence. 

• People leadership experience: building teams, developing talent, and fostering a high-performance culture. 

• Ability to collaborate across disciplines and geographies in an integrated agency environment. 

• Fluency in English required; additional European languages (French/Dutch/German, etc.) are a strong advantage. 

 

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.
 
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 team 

Weber Shandwick is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Weber Shandwick is committed to building a culture where all employees are seen as equal, are respected and where all opinions are heard. We take pride in our inclusive hiring, as well as our diverse workforce and we welcome applications from all qualified candidates. 

 

Who is Weber Shandwick? 

At Weber Shandwick, you are welcomed, valued and empowered to grow and we believe that opportunity grows in a collective.

We create cultural value and help brands navigate the ever-changing age of earned: an age where consumers actively say no to advertising; an age where everyone is an influencer that can make or break your brand; an age where content can be turned into commercial opportunity. Our talented team builds brands by finding connection points in the real world. We energise the right mix of talent, using the right platforms and latest technology to choreograph stories that make a real and meaningful impact for some of the world’s leading brands and businesses.

We earn affection, attention, affinity and purchase by delivering value to people around the world, with deep specialisms across food & drink, travel & tourism, consumer tech, consumer health, automotive, sports sponsorship, entertainment & lifestyle and energy. We are known for:

• Developing data driven insights and strategies to drive measurable impact
• Creating impactful campaigns that tap into culture
• Creating channel and platform agnostic campaigns that grow organically
• Delivering integrated campaigns that are earned-first but deliver for paid and owned

What’s happening?

Weber Shandwick is looking for a talented Manager who wants to be part of the Core CX (Client Services) Consumer practice in our London office. The role will work across one of our biggest global accounts, so experience working on regional and global toolkits is preferred.

 

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following key attributes:

CLIENT SOLUTIONS AND WORK

• Build client relationships by providing counsel to multiple clients, driving execution of tactical plans to ensure high quality deliverables, as appropriate for size of account or office
• Successfully manage client expectations, team resources and deliverables around major campaigns and programs, as appropriate for size of account or office
• Begin building expertise and understanding in particular categories (i.e. Healthcare, Technology, Corporate Reputation, etc.)
• Serve as active participant in client meetings and presentations; craft, present and execute integrated communications strategies for major campaigns
• Conduct and manage the flow of research and materials development necessary to analyse client issues
• Function across disciplines with a knowledge of social media strategies and tactics
• Monitor media outlets for coverage of client and competitor news, leveraging digital and social outlets, a diverse set of influencers, etc.
• Understand industry issues that directly and indirectly affect the client
• Compose media materials (toolkits, press releases, pitch notes, client briefings, messaging documents, sample Q&A, proposals, supporting social content, etc.), and conduct media outreach
• Proof and edit client related documents, including documents from European markets
• Develop and build relationships with media and diverse set of influencers in partnership with our influencer experts
• Brainstorm and bring to life compelling ideas for clients, media and influencers
• Coordinate and execute large-scale experiential activations and events
• Lead small teams to conduct pressing research on a wide range of issues, review and prepare executive summaries and/or analyses of information into strategic and actionable recommendations, as appropriate for size of account or office
•  

SELF LEADERSHIP AND TEAM EFFECTIVENESS

• Mentor and train junior team members; may directly manage interns
• Consistently display behaviors that support integration
• Demonstrate a proactive and self-starting attitude, providing solutions to client and internal issues and topics that arise

GROWTH AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

• Participate in brainstorms and planning
• Contribute to new business pitch content creation and organic business growth efforts (proactive/reactive)

BUSINESS ACUMEN

• Continue to grow financial acumen by managing budgets, assisting with account budget and time entry analyses, and supporting account invoicing
• Work more closely with manager and finance to better understand any client issues that may impact the business
• Begin working with legal on vendor agreements

 

Minimum Criteria:

To be considered for this role, you must have experience in a similar role, be that an existing Account Manager or experienced Senior Account Executive looking to step into the next role.

Ideal Experience Required:

• Ideally you will possess many of the above skills and attributes
• Experience working on regional or global communications toolkits is essential to succeed in this role

Join us and help make an impact.

Together, we’ll set the bar, cheer each other on and multiply your potential.

Core Benefits:

• Private medical insurance
• Group life assurance
• Group income protection
• Personal pension plan
• Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible Benefits:

• Buy or sell holiday
• Additional life assurance cover
• Critical illness insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance
• Dental insurance
• Travel insurance
• Health screening
• Gym discounts
• Cycle to work scheme
• Health cash plan
• Flexible working with our 3:2 hybrid work model
• Equivalent of $250 USD for new joiners on 6 month + contract to support home working setup
• 25 days’ annual leave (in addition to public holidays) plus 2 volunteering days, birthday day off work and discretionary festive closure
• Flexible public holidays
• Dedicated Business Resource Groups including Women of Weber, Decoded (Global Majority network), and PRISM (LGBTQIA+)
• Sweets and snacks in the office
• Exclusive shopping discounts and perks
• Annual eyecare voucher
• Season ticket loan
• Referral bonus scheme
• Long service bonus
• Enhanced family leave
• Inclusive and invisible health policies

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. 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, Sustainability 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 Sustainability 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 Sustainability policies, with close collaboration across our technology, services and health portfolios;
• 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;
• Manage account resourcing and line managing 1 or 2 junior team members;
• 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 sustainability 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 Sustainability 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

 

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.

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.