About the Role

To provide, develop and communicate Legal and Governance support and services in order to insure compliance with corporate governance, oversight requirements and/or laws and regulations and minimise legal exposure to risks.

EU Public Affairs Specialist

Swift is looking for a Public Affairs Specialist to oversee our engagement across the EU institutions and around a range of policy areas relevant to our business.

Swift is a critical service provider, providing financial messaging, standards, products & services to over 11,000 customers in over 200 countries and territories. Given our neutral nature as an important global utility for the financial services industry we maintain political relationships across a wide spectrum of Government stakeholders in a number of countries. To support our global public affairs function we are opening a new position to lead the company’s government relations in Brussels, monitoring political developments and overseeing our political engagement across areas that may affect Swift.

The role will report to the Head of EMEA Public Affairs, working closely with other colleagues in the Legal and Compliance department to meet our company objectives. The Public Affairs function is part of the Legal and Compliance Department whose mission it is to support Swift’s business operations, strategic goals and innovative initiatives in a manner that preserves Swift’s reputation, safeguards Swift’s legal rights and assets and ensures Swift’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

The role will expose you to Swift's governance, technology and commercial activities, and requires a good understanding of Swift’s landscape, payments and the wider technological developments in the financial industry. You should have a keen interest in technology, the functioning of the financial system, payments, politics and regulation.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and identify political, legislative and regulatory developments relevant to Swift (in close cooperation with local colleagues, and as needed, Regulatory Affairs)
• Provide ‘Early Warning’ on issues that may affect our business to ensure Swift is aware, in advance, of political and policy trends
• Gather insights into Government policy and direction on topics relating to Swift’s business, including:
• Payments and securities related policy, including other payment systems
• Data, technology, cloud computing, cyber security, financial crime compliance, anti-money laundering, foreign policy issues of relevance,
• Legislative and regulatory reporting
• Lead Swift’s proactive government and regulatory stakeholder engagement in Brussels, working closely with the business team and our global experts
• Identify and engage political commentators, academia and trade associations
• Promote a better awareness and understanding of the company’s operations, to represent and protect its interests and educate policy makers on the benefits of Swift to the global financial system
• Identify opportunities across the political and academic sphere to demonstrate Swift’s expertise and experience
• Liaise and manage locally-based consultants

Skills & Qualifications

• University degree in political science, communications, legal or any related subject experience
• 6+ years' experience in public policy, Government or in-house/agency public affairs and Government Relations with a financial services or technology background
• Financial services or technology experience gained in network, platform, marketplace or transaction-based businesses is encouraged
• Political savvy, discretion, and networking experience
• Detailed understanding of regulatory and legislative processes and geopolitical developments
• Proven ability to analyse, prioritise and summarise issues and to perform advocacy activities
• Ability to develop a good understanding of Swift’s corporate, operational and commercial strategy and priorities
• Effective and efficient information analysis, management and delivery
• Experience with working in a diverse, multi-cultural environment and across geographies and teams
• Comfort with high levels of ambiguity and the skills to prioritise within a rapidly changing environment
• Executive presence - excellent internal and external interpersonal and networking skills including at senior management level
• Communicates strategy and key messages with clarity, consistency and confidence

What we offer

We put you in control of career

We give you a competitive package

We help you perform at your best

We help you make a difference

We give you the freedom to be yourself

We give you the freedom to be yourself. We are creating an environment of unique individuals – like you – with different perspectives on the financial industry and the world. An environment in which everyone’s voice counts and where you can reach your full potential regardless of age, background, culture, colour, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran/military status.