Government Relations and Public Affairs Director (European Union)

Take your next career step at ABB with a global team that is energizing the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. At ABB, we have the clear goal of driving diversity and inclusion across all dimensions: gender, LGBTQ+, abilities, ethnicity and generations. Together, we are embarking on a journey where each and every one of us, individually and collectively, welcomes and celebrates individual differences.

The Government Relations and Public Affairs Director (European Union) role reinforces and implements ABB’s advocacy work in Brussels to support ABB’s businesses. Ensure ABB’s views are shared with EU policymakers and broader policymaking community and proactively communicate impact of policymaking to internal business stakeholders. In this role, you will be leading public affairs and thought leadership initiatives, campaigns, and events to build ABB’s brand recognition and industry leadership. This position reports to ABB’s Head of EU Government Relations and Public Affairs. It is based in Brussels.

Your responsibilities

• Enhances ABB’s brand in the EU policymaking community as a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.
• Develops and implements advocacy strategies and stakeholder engagement plans to advance ABB market position and priorities.
• Supports and coordinates interaction with European government officials for ABB. Establishes and maintains relationships with EU policymakers, trade and industry associations, industry peers, external consultancy and more.
• Actively monitors, researches, and analyzes EU policy and regulatory developments, and the political environment. Identifies opportunities for ABB’s leadership and businesses.
• Provides advice to internal ABB stakeholders about policy, regulatory, and political developments that may impact ABB’s businesses, markets, and/or customers.
• Communicates through regular written, verbal, and virtual updates to internal ABB stakeholders.
• Collaborates and seeks input from business partners in Business Areas/ Divisions and relevant functions, e.g. Sustainability, Finance, Legal, Communications.
• Supports integrity culture in GRPA and models highest standards of behavior in interactions with government and policy stakeholders. Upholds and reinforces ABB’s policies and standards. Ensures that government relations activities protect and strengthen ABB’s brand, reputation and business activities.

Your background

• Minimum 8 years of experience in European government relations, public affairs, or similar roles.
• Experience in a large, international company welcome. Experience in decentralized business models welcome.
• Experience with industrial manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, or technology sector advocacy welcome.
• Extensive knowledge of EU insitutions and EU decision-making process.
• In-depth knowledge of EU global issues (e.g.: energy and industry topics and sustainability and climate policies, trade and international affairs).
• Strong project management experience, a problem-solver that is able to manage multiple projects within complex organizations.
• Coordination and management of internal working groups; facilitation skills to drive action among internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to represent ABB’s positions with authority and persuasion.
• Strong understanding of corporate communication and reputation management.
• Strategic thinking and planning skills to develop short- and long-term integrated strategies.
• Interested in the business and driven by contributing to company success.
• Solutions-oriented mindset, structured, takes ownership, gets things done and on time.
• Team player mentality; motivated self-starter able to work independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including writing policy briefs, consultation submissions, talking points and other materials; demonstrated research and analytical skills.
• Experience translating policy and politics to a business audience.
• University degree, preferably master’s level, MBA welcome.
• Fluent English; additional languages welcome.

More about us

We look forward to receiving your application (documents submitted in English are appreciated). If you want to discover more about ABB, take another look at our website www.abb.com. Work model: #LI-hybrid