Head of EU Affairs

Application deadline: 4 May 2025 at 23:59 (Brussels time)

Who are we?

EIT Urban Mobility is an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union. Our mission is to accelerate solutions that improve the way people move in cities, making urban spaces more liveable. We bring together cities, companies, research and academia to form Europe’s largest innovation community in the mobility sector.
We operate across Europe with offices in five countries and a growing presence in Brussels to increase our policy influence and foster strategic alliances.

The role

The Head of EU Affairs will be part of the Communications & EU Affairs team and report directly to the Director of Communications & EU Affairs. The role is based in Brussels and works in close coordination with colleagues across the organisation.
We are looking for a strategic, outward-facing and senior professional to lead our EU Affairs activities in Brussels. The Head of EU Affairs will represent EIT Urban Mobility towards European institutions and stakeholders, strengthen our policy influence, and drive public positioning aligned with our mission and goals. This role requires strong policy acumen, exceptional networking and negotiation skills, and the ability to connect policy priorities with our organisation’s activities, innovations and community, in the realm of urban mobility.
The successful candidate will support senior leadership in high-level stakeholder engagement and represent the organisation in Brussels-based EU affairs.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and implement our EU Affairs strategy: Identify policy opportunities, risks and priorities aligned with EIT Urban Mobility’s strategic goals. Translate them into an actionable annual EU Affairs workplan.
  
• Represent EIT Urban Mobility in Brussels: Engage with EU institutions, industry groups, city networks, missions, partnerships and think tanks in the mobility realm. Represent the organisation in policy discussions and strategic engagements as needed.
  
• Strengthen policy influence: Support EIT Urban Mobility’s positioning in relevant EU policy agendas by coordinating advocacy activities, contributing to consultations, and engaging strategically with EU stakeholders and networks.
  
• Monitor and assess policy developments: Provide regular, insightful analysis on relevant policy files, regulatory initiatives and funding trends, including horizon scanning to inform decision-making.

• Coordinate high-level meetings and events: Organise and prepare EIT Urban Mobility leadership for meetings with EU stakeholders; contribute to the design and delivery of our Brussels-based events and engagement activities.
  
• Foster strategic collaborations and synergies: Build and maintain relationships with EU, national, and regional stakeholders that enhance EIT Urban Mobility’s policy influence and impact. Identify opportunities that complement and support the work of the Academy, Innovation, Impact Ventures, and Ecosystem & Stakeholders teams.
  
• Contribute to thought leadership development: Collaborate closely with colleagues responsible for strategic publications, research, and campaigns to ensure EU policy relevance and visibility. Help translate EIT Urban Mobility’s innovation and policy insights into influence at EU level.
  
• Collaborate with Innovation Hubs and the City Club to create opportunities for partners to engage with EU institutions and policy processes, and strengthen their understanding of the EU landscape.
  
• Represent EIT Urban Mobility within the EIT Community’s joint EU Affairs structures, including the EIT EU Affairs Group of EIT-KICs and the EIT National Contact Points (NCPs), helping to coordinate common messages and initiatives in Brussels.
  
• Manage the operational and financial aspects of EU Affairs activities, including procurements, budget tracking, contract implementation and reporting, in line with internal procedures.
  
• Work with external providers: Coordinate and oversee the work of consultants and agencies supporting EU Affairs, ensuring delivery of results in line with objectives.
  
• Contribute to communications and positioning efforts as part of the Communications & EU Affairs team, by developing policy-relevant content and messaging that supports advocacy, thought leadership, campaigns, and media outreach.
  
• Report and advise internally: Regularly brief the CEO, Management Team and other colleagues on developments, opportunities and stakeholder engagement strategies.
  
  

What you will bring along the way:

An ideal candidate will strive to generate positive environmental and social impact in line with EIT Urban Mobility’s mission.

Must-have:

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in EU public affairs, policy or institutional relations, in mobility, innovation, cities, or sustainability.
  
• Proven expertise in mobility, with in-depth knowledge of the EU urban mobility ecosystem and innovation policy landscape, and an established network of relevant stakeholders.
  
• Proven ability to shape and implement EU engagement strategies.
  
• Strong knowledge of EU institutions, decision-making processes and funding instruments.
  
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills.
  
• Strong political judgement and strategic thinking.
  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in English (C1 level or above), both written and spoken.
  
• Self-starter with a hands-on attitude, able to manage projects independently while collaborating across teams.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience working in or with an EU institution or EU-funded programme or organisation.
  
• Additional EU languages are an asset.
  

What's in it for you:

• Work in an international environment with a company culture focused on empowerment, thriving and continuous growth.
• Join a creative and diverse team of highly driven individuals that take out-of-the-box thinking to another level.
• A yearly training catalogue to support your career development.
  
• Strike the right Work-life balance: On top of the flexible hours and remote working options and facilities, you will be granted 27 days of paid time-off to rest and re-energize.
• Work-from-home IT setup (laptop, phone, screen, headsets).

Kindly note that this is a permanent and full-time position, and it is based in Brussels.

No relocation expenses are granted.

Application Process:

General Conditions:

By the closing date of this call candidates must:

• be a national of an EU Member State or have a working permit valid to work in Spain;
• enjoy their full rights as citizens;

If you are interested this position, please complete and submit your application before the deadline on our online application platform: BambooHR.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

At EIT Urban Mobility, we value and celebrate diversity in every aspect of life and believe that everyone deserves an equal chance to succeed.

Here we value your talents, skills and experiences, and do not discriminate on any basis –whether it be disabilities or other special needs, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or belief, age, language, political affiliation, property, marital status or any other irrelevant factor.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive work environment where everyone can feel comfortable and thrive.

DATA PROTECTION DISCLAIMER

Your personal data will be processed with utmost care by the EIT KIC URBAN MOBILITY, S.L. or its subsidiaries.

The said processing will allow us to manage the recruitment of the offered positions, and more specifically:

• to enable you to submit your CV to apply for specific jobs;
• to match your details with the job vacancies and to eventually contact you;
• to retain your details and notify you about future job opportunities similar to the specific role for which you have contacted us;
• to answer your inquiries.

[1] Only qualifications issued by an EU Member State authorities and qualifications recognised as equivalent by the relevant EU Member State authorities will be accepted.