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Public Affairs Consultant, Financial Services

Fleishman-Hillard

Brussels, Belgium


FleishmanHillard’s Brussels office is seeking an experienced professional in the field of financial services to join its established international Public Affairs office. FleishmanHillard is one of the world's leading public affairs and communications groups, with over 80 offices worldwide. The Brussels office consists of about 70 full-time consultants, who collaborate across the office on their specific areas of expertise – e.g. chemicals, healthcare, consumer, financial services, and environment policy. 

The FleishmanHillard Brussels Financial Services team is led by Donald Ricketts, Bertrand Huet and Martin Bresson and advises over 30 clients spanning across banks, investors, insurance companies, market infrastructures, data providers, payments systems, credit rating agencies. The Practice is supported by 15 full-time consultants. Although the various positions in the team impose a certain hierarchy, FleishmanHillard prefers to operate a relatively flat structure and above all is a meritocracy. Our philosophy hinges very much on supportive team working and it is important that new additions to the team are a good “fit” in this respect.

Overall profile sought for this position:

A minimum of 5 years’ experience in European policy or public affairs, predominantly in the Financial Services sector. This experience should ideally be acquired through working in the EU institutions or national ministries of finance/regulators, in a consultancy firm or in-house. The Consultant will have a good understanding of the EU institutions and political dynamics together with a strong understanding of the Financial Services industry. Knowledge of banking, payments and pensions sectors a plus. We also expect a proven experience in managing dossiers, clients and people. Excellent communication and writing skills is a must. 

Native /near as English speaker (fluency in other European languages an advantage). Being a convinced team player and have the ability to manage multiple deadlines.

The main responsibilities of the position and core competencies required include:

As a Consultant

  • Providing strategic advice and guidance to clients on all aspects of EU legislative and regulatory developments impacting clients’ business;
  • Overseeing planning and execution of client programmes to meet business objectives;
  • Demonstrating consistent day-to-day leadership and sets ethical and professional example;
  • Maintaining excellent working relationships with clients, colleagues, and officials;
  • Exhibiting sound business and political judgment and an understanding of clients’ commercial context;
  • Working well under pressure and accepting responsibility for results;
  • Assuming accountability for all aspects of the client portfolio; manages client relations and client retention;
  • Providing analysis and feedback proactively to clients in order to maximize strategy effectiveness and/or anticipate issues;
  • Generating ideas for new services.

As a Account Management/Strategic Thinker and Planner

  • Playing a value-add role in the management of the clients’ accounts;
  • Providing daily leadership direction and guidance to account team;
  • Ensuring consistently high quality of work and return on investment.

As a young Business Developer

  • Maintaining, growing and developing existing clients;
  • Sharing responsibility for the practice meeting its annual business targets;
  • Assisting colleagues to deliver on new business objectives;
  • Cross-selling where appropriate, by demonstrating FH reach/scope of services;
  • Participating in development and delivery of new business presentations at sophisticated level.

As a Team Supervisor

  • Developing staff morale and common sense of purpose;
  • Sharing input into approval of promotions, salary reviews, staff recruitment, development, motivation and retention;
  • Sharing best practice with colleagues;
  • Mentoring team members to hone strategic counseling skills, becoming better informed about sectors/services to improve value to clients.
If you’re qualified and interested in this opportunity please send your CV in confidence to Laura Vanderstraeten (Laura.Vanderstraeten@fleishmaneurope.com).

About FleishmanHillard

FleishmanHillard is the world’s most complete global communications firm, specializing in public relations, public affairs, marketing, paid media, and transmedia and social content. FleishmanHillard delivers on The power of true, reflecting the firm’s high values and unique ability to guide clients through a world demanding unprecedented authenticity and transparency. FleishmanHillard was named “Standout Agency” on Advertising Age’s 2013 A-List; NAFE’s “Top 50 Companies for Executive Women” for 2010-2013; Advertising Age’s 2012 “Best Places to Work”; and The Holmes Report’s 2012 Global “Public Affairs Agency of the Year.” The firm’s award-winning work is widely heralded, including at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity. FleishmanHillard is part of Diversified Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Group Inc., and has more than 80 offices in 29 countries, plus affiliates in 42 countries. Visit us at www.fleishmanhillard.com.
Diversified Agency Services (DAS), a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), manages Omnicom’s holdings in a variety of marketing communications disciplines. DAS includes over 200 companies, which operate through a combination of networks and regional organizations, serving international and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.
Omnicom Group Inc. (www.omnicomgroup.com) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom’s branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.