Principal Consultant, EU Regulatory and Public Affairs

Who we are

The Freshfields EU Regulatory & Public Affairs Practice is looking for a Principal Consultant to join its ranks on a permanent basis to reinforce the current team and support its further development. The Practice is a seamlessly integrated yet autonomous department within the internationally renowned law firm Freshfields LLP and sits at the intersection between business politics and law.

The Practice is there to assist our existing legal clients better understand the intricacies of the EU decision-making process navigate the EU regulatory and law-making environment and to devise cross-cutting engagement strategies and campaigns so they can raise their profile in Brussels and make their voice heard towards EU policy and decision-makers.

The EU Regulatory & Public Affairs team works in tandem with colleagues on mixed legal and public affairs mandates across the Freshfields practice groups and across borders. Our team also delivers analysis and information to legal colleagues in order to provide them with the latest EU thinking and initiatives on issues that are relevant to the Firms client base. Our Practice focuses primarily on financial services sustainability digital tax competition and trade issues.

The team is made up of 6 permanent consultants supported by a dedicated project manager and an administrative assistant.

Role summary/purpose of job

The Freshfields EU Regulatory & Public Affairs Practice is looking for a Principal Consultant to serve and grow the existing client base on EU related regulatory and legislative issues that have crucial impact on the clients business. Our clients interests are predominantly focused on understanding and influencing EU regulatory and legislative projects in the tech AI and data; sustainability; financial services; energy and competition areas. We expect from our consultants to understand our clients business and to be able to explain to them the relevance of EU level regulatory engagement alongside our legal advice. The role will have a focus on client service and the commercial advancement of our EU Regulatory Practice on the basis of Freshfields thought leadership in EU law.

We are looking for someone with 8-10 years experience in EU public affairs with an outstanding knowledge of the EU decision-making process a strategic approach to public affairs campaigns and a business acumen to help develop the practice further.

Above all we are looking to hire a team player with a positive commercial mindset who is motivated to work in a fast moving high profile and uncompromisingly client-oriented environment.

Key responsibilities and deliverables

• Leading and overseeing business development campaigns with a strong commercial focus including taking part in pitch meetings and pursuing business development opportunities autonomously;
• Managing client accounts independently with the capacity to translate complex policy issues in clear and simple terms for non-policy experts;
• Concrete tasks will include leading weekly calls sending tailored materials to clients ranging from short policy updates to in-depth analytical notes and summary of new legislative proposals as well as answering ad hoc queries in an efficient way;
• Managing and guiding more junior team members in delivering cutting-edge advice to clients on specific policy areas including reviewing and improving their updates and supporting them in putting together innovative and efficient advocacy campaigns for clients;
• Interacting confidently and convincingly with clients and senior internal and external stakeholders as a representative of the Firm.

Key requirements (skills/experience)

Essential

• 8-10 years experience working in private practice including law firm / consultancy experience with commercial responsibilities. Experience in one of the EU institutions could be an asset.
• Outstanding knowledge of the EU decision-making process including internal and external political dynamics.
• Proven network of senior contacts and key stakeholder relationships within the EU institutions relevant industry bodies and civil society with demonstrated experience accompanying clients to meetings with senior policy-makers.
• Outstanding knowledge and expertise in at least one of the following policy areas: tech sustainability financial services or competition with proven experience in one those areas. Experience in other policy areas could also be an asset.
• Proven business acumen results-driven individual focusing on profitability and able to analyse internal and market trends to spot the next growth opportunities for the Practice.
• Excellent drafting and analytical skills with an eye for detail.
• Clear communicator with colleagues but also with clients and third-parties.
• Excellent command of English and at least one another European language.
• A proactive reliable and problem-solving mindset with a positive attitude personal responsibility and the ability to thrive in a high-pressure client-oriented environment
• Masters level education or equivalent preferably in a related area for example political sciences public policy economics or law.