Consultant Public Affairs

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is one of the leading international law firms, with a total staff of approximately 6,000 people, working across 29 offices in 17 countries. We provide a comprehensive worldwide service to national and multinational corporations, financial institutions and governments.

With a team of over 180 people working in the Brussels office and 20 different nationalities, we offer a truly international working environment.

The Freshfields EU Regulatory & Public Affairs Practice is looking for a team member to serve the existing client base on digital and tech issues ranging from NGOs to multinationals, as well as to actively participate and contribute to firm-wide initiatives and business development in this area. We are looking for someone with approximately 2-3years’ experience in EU public affairs or similar (for example within the EU institutions) and with a focus on digital issues who would be operational from day 1. Above all, we are looking to hire a team player with a positive and commercial mindset, who is motivated to work in a fast moving, high profile and client-oriented environment.

Who we are: Freshfields Regulatory and Public Affairs team

The Freshfields EU Regulatory & Public Affairs Practice is looking for a Consultant to join its ranks on a permanent basis and form part of our growing digital team. The Practice is a seamlessly integrated yet autonomous department within the internationally renowned law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and sits at the intersection between business, politics and law.

The Practice exists to assist our existing legal clients better understand the intricacies of the EU decision-making process, navigate the EU regulatory and law-making environment and to devise cross-cutting engagement strategies and campaigns for them so they can raise their profile in Brussels and make their voice heard towards EU policy and decision-makers.

The EU Regulatory & Public affairs team works in tandem with colleagues on mixed legal and public affairs mandates across the Freshfields' practice groups and across borders. Our team also delivers cutting edge analysis and information to legal colleagues in order to provide them with the latest EU thinking and initiatives on issues that are relevant to the Firm's client base. Our Practice focuses primarily on digital, sustainability, financial services, tax, competition and trade issues.

The team is made up of 6 permanent consultants supported by a dedicated project manager and administrative assistant. We also work closely with our Public Affairs team in Berlin.

Requirements to apply:

- 2 - 3 years of experience working either in private practice or in one of the EU institutions.
- Excellent knowledge of the EU decision-making process, key stakeholders within the EU institutions, industry and civil society.
- Good understanding of the political dynamics at EU level and the priorities of the European institutions.
- Experience working on the digital agenda.
- Growing network of contacts inside and outside the EU institutions.
- Ability to formulate and execute business development campaigns for public affairs clients but also leveraging existing internal legal relationships.
- Master's level education or equivalent preferably in a related area for example political sciences, public policy, economics, law.
- Excellent command of English and at least one another European language.

About you:

- Team player with an ability to work independently when required.
- Client and service-oriented.
- Excellent drafting skills with proven experience of the following: short policy updates, in-depth analytical notes, summary of new legislative proposals, etc.
- Clear communicator with colleagues but also with clients and third-parties.
- Capacity to translate complex policy issues in clear and simple terms.
- Willingness to learn and ability to work of a multitude of issues at any given time.
- Ability to interact confidently and convincingly with internal and external stakeholders on behalf of clients and of the Firm.
- A positive attitude, reliable, pro-active and open-minded.