EU Policy Manager for Textiles Services

ETSA, the leading European association for the textile services industry in Europe is looking for an EU Policy Manager. For more info about ETSA: https://www.textile-services.eu/ As ETSA EU Policy Manager for textile services, you will develop textile services advocacy strategies, shaping and driving ETSA’s major EU policy dossiers with the EU institutions and across ETSA major Working Groups. You will also develop and manage close relationships with key stakeholders across the Brussels policy ecosystem, including policymakers, regulators, civil society groups, industry associations, researchers and experts, seeking to advance policies and project partnerships that align with ETSA’s manifesto and main objectives. In this position, you will work specifically to influence EU legislation, regulation and policy debates to secure benefits and minimize risks to the textile services sector, and you will report directly to the ETSA Secretary General. This role is based in our Brussels office in Rue Belliard 40, with a hybrid work model inclusive of teleworking and in line with Belgian employment legislation. Your role in detail will cover: Drive implementation of ETSA’s government affairs strategy with focus on EU affairs and develop positions and policy requests with regards to the textile services business interests Create and cultivate a network with EU stakeholders and especially EU institutions that ETSA Secretariat will be able to benefit from, tackling the different legislative dossiers; Work closely within the ETSA TEAM and with ETSA members and Chairs of ETSA’s Working Groups and Task Forces to put together instrumental policy positions, to influence legislation and policy debates, securing benefits and minimizing risks to textile services business in Europe Expand ETSA outreach to and engagement with strategic political stakeholders and government officials, including legislators, regulatory agencies, public bodies, and institutions in Brussels with occasional focus on EU Funded projects and project partnerships building. Work closely in synergy with key ETSA national associations representatives and mapping their governments’ political positions in relation to key EU policy dossiers for ETSA Support ETSA Secretariat to facilitate the organization of key ETSA Working Groups across Europe and in Brussels, support the work of ETSA on certain specific Standards groups as well as lead ETSA’s participation in trade fairs and key trade fairs panels What we expect: You have a deep knowledge of the EU policy ecosystem, with a very good sound understanding of the challenges that the textile and textile services sectors are facing at the EU level You understand very well the EU decision making process, and have a clear understanding of their legislative and regulatory processes, key debates shaping, inclusive of the “member states” policy landscape. You possess a Master's degree or above, preferably majoring in International politics, public relations, textiles, technology, chemistry; You have more than 8 years of working experience and you are familiar with industrial and EU policies and advocacy You are a trusted relationship builder who can engage credibly with EU officials, regulators, civil society groups, industry associations, researchers and experts across the Brussels policy ecosystem. You Can draft strategic position papers and translate complex concepts into practical policy relevance for EU policymakers and Brussels stakeholders on the one hand, and ETSA members on the other You are comfortable operating independently while collaborating closely across teams, in a fast-moving environment and often tight deadlines.
· Oral and written fluency required in English, are a must; any other language is a plus
· You must be authorized to work in Belgium without employment sponsorship. Desirable
· You can prove an already very well developed network of key EU institutions & contacts and key stakeholders in Brussels
· You have worked in the past on EU funded projects
· You have strong relationship and partnership skills, these are your major strengths, especially in order to pass very technical messages and promote the interests of the textile services sector in different fora
· You understand and have worked in the world of textile standards in the past

How to apply
You can apply easily and sending your CV and a cover letter, by email to : e.lai@etsa-europe.org Please make sure you will write Policy Manager Vacancy at ETSA in the email subject, by Wednesday 18th September. Please note that postal applications cannot be processed. Due to the expected high number of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. Please also note that calls are not accepted. Interviews are planned to take place on the fourth week of September/October.