Recruitment Specialist

Recruitment Consultant – Public Affairs, Policy & Communications

Working arrangement: Hybrid

Employment type: Full-time, permanent

Company: Spencer Recruitment

Salary: Competitive base salary plus commission

About Spencer Recruitment

Spencer Recruitment is a specialist recruitment consultancy working across public affairs, policy, corporate communications, public relations, advocacy, marketing and membership.

We have built a strong reputation for understanding the sectors in which we operate, developing long-term relationships and providing a highly personalised service to clients and candidates.

As we expand our European offering, we are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Recruitment Consultant to establish and grow our presence in Brussels.

The opportunity

This is an opportunity to develop a specialist recruitment desk focused on the Brussels public affairs, EU policy, corporate communications and public relations market.

The successful candidate will work with public affairs consultancies, communications agencies, trade associations, membership organisations, NGOs, professional bodies, EU institutions and international businesses operating in regulated sectors.

You will be responsible for developing new client relationships, managing recruitment assignments and building a strong network of policy, public affairs and communications professionals across Brussels and the wider European market.

The position would suit an experienced recruiter with knowledge of the Brussels market or a public affairs, policy or communications professional interested in moving into a commercially focused recruitment role.

Key responsibilities

Business development and client relationships

• Build Spencer Recruitment’s client network across Brussels and the wider EU public affairs and communications market.
• Identify and approach prospective clients across consultancies, trade associations, NGOs, professional bodies and international organisations.
• Develop trusted relationships with hiring managers, agency leaders and senior communications and public affairs professionals.
• Attend relevant industry events, networking sessions and conferences in Brussels.
• Monitor hiring activity, organisational developments and market trends to identify new business opportunities.
• Conduct client meetings and vacancy-intake calls to understand organisational needs, role requirements and recruitment challenges.
• Prepare recruitment proposals, salary advice and market insights for clients.
• Manage client relationships throughout the recruitment process and beyond.

Candidate recruitment and market development

• Build and maintain a strong network of professionals working across EU policy, public affairs, government relations, advocacy, corporate communications and public relations.
• Proactively identify and engage passive candidates through networking, referrals, LinkedIn and targeted market research.
• Conduct detailed screening interviews and assess candidates against agreed role requirements.
• Provide candidates with clear and informed advice on organisations, opportunities, salaries and career development.
• Develop specialist knowledge of the Brussels talent market, including skills availability, salary levels and emerging hiring trends.
• Maintain regular contact with candidates and provide a professional experience throughout the recruitment process.

Managing recruitment assignments

• Manage recruitment processes from initial briefing through to placement.
• Develop search strategies for permanent, fixed-term and contract assignments.
• Produce candidate shortlists and accurate client-facing candidate summaries.
• Coordinate interviews, gather feedback and manage communication between clients and candidates.
• Support offer management and salary negotiations.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date information within the company’s recruitment systems.
• Ensure recruitment activity is conducted professionally and in accordance with relevant data-protection and employment requirements.

Marketing and profile building

• Build Spencer Recruitment’s profile within the Brussels public affairs and communications community.
• Develop relevant market content, salary insights and hiring updates.
• Use LinkedIn and other professional channels to promote vacancies, share market intelligence and engage with the sector.
• Represent Spencer Recruitment at public affairs, communications and EU policy events.
• Contribute ideas for roundtables, networking events and thought-leadership initiatives.

Target markets

The desk will recruit across areas including:

• EU public affai