Executive Director, European Relations (Brussels)

European Relations comprises ECF’s broad engagement on policy issues and campaigns at the supra-national and the national level, including on topics such as energy systems, transport, buildings and urban systems, and governance. The Executive Director will be responsible for leading, together with the CEO and others, the development of a European strategy that builds on ECF’s technical capacity to position climate action at the centre of the European project and European politics.

The ECF is looking for a highly-experienced, highly-skilled and networked individual for the role of Executive Director, European Relations. Executive Directors (ED) form the senior management team of the ECF, along with the CEO Laurence Tubiana. The EDs are responsible for working with the ECF’s programme directors to develop strategy, support organisation-wide strategy alignment and information flows.

Key responsibilities

• Develop a politically-oriented European strategy that builds on ECF’s technical capacity to position climate action at the centre of the European project and European politics;
• Act as a direct interface for the ECF to key actors in the European Institutions and related bodies to help inform and implement strategic interventions;
• Ensure timely and actionable political intelligence is informing strategy and driving impact on key policy and political processes, working closely with the ED for Politics and Communications;
• Work with the CEO and ED of Global Policies to help elevate European leadership on the global stage;
• Act as strategic partner to CEO and the other EDs on the issues relating to EU policy campaigns and Brussels focussed efforts generally;
• Support implementation of ECF’s organisational strategy, acting as a thought partner particularly on ECF’s shift to deeper political analysis and engagement;
• Regular contact across group programmes and projects to support strategic thinking and ensure maximum impact;
• Management of programme directors, and help surface and solve organisational challenges;
• Support fundraising efforts, in coordination with External Relations team;
• Help strategically prepare and participate in ECF Board meetings.

Experience & competencies

• Extensive senior-level experience in the public or private sector in the area of European Policy development;
• Previously holding political office is preferred; experience and knowledge of the climate-change policy sphere is NOT a pre-requisite for the role;
• Excellent knowledge of current national, European and international policy and politics;
• Deep knowledge of institutional settings within the European institutions and member-state governments;
• Well established contacts with key actors and stakeholders in relevant communities;
• Extensive leadership experience and track record of achievement;
• Work experience with or in the civil-society sector is an asset.

In addition, the selected candidates will need to be deeply mission driven and have the highest-level skills and qualities in the following areas:

• Analytical and strategic thinking;
• Supportive and collaborative team leadership;
• Influencing and network-building;
• Organisational understanding.

Location & travel: Brussels – The role includes travelling as required, particularly to Paris and other ECF offices.

Start date: September

How to apply

Please send your CV and cover letter in English to Delphine.meriguet@europeanclimate.org.

Please indicate ‘Recruitment – Executive Director – European Relations’ in the Subject line.Candidates need to possess a valid work permit for the locations. All applications will be treated confidentially.

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