Knauf stands for opportunity. We know that opportunity looks different to each person, and we are proud that we see opportunity in everyone. This exciting role in the Public Affairs team of Knauf Insulation could be the perfect next opportunity for you to build a unique career, in a values-led culture with a clear purpose of making tomorrow a home for all of us. As a Group, we are a global manufacturer of construction materials, with +41,500 team members in 90 countries across 300 sites, and we provide a huge opportunity for anyone with ambition and energy. We value everyone's contribution equally and we ask that you bring your whole self to work, to enrich the business further, as together we achieve more in a safe and inclusive environment.
Knauf Insulation is proud to be part of the Knauf Group. We have a 40-year heritage in manufacturing insulation and have big plans. Our global reach in 40 countries continues to grow and we are looking for passionate, ambitious people to join our 6000-strong team and help us achieve our goals. We are all led by the same core values and believe in the powerful potential of large companies to have a positive impact on the world.
We are recruiting a Group Government Affairs Director for Knauf Insulation, based in the EU Representation Office, who will be responsible for further shaping and directing our public affairs strategy as well as providing strategic advice and direction to a team of highly talented Public Affairs Managers and Directors across our EMEA/APAC region. The role also involves supporting our regions to build public affairs strategies to support the business across a range of issues. The successful applicant will have solid experience in government affairs and advocacy and become part of a team that is dealing with some of the most interesting public policy challenges of our times including energy efficiency and climate change, competitiveness, decarbonisation, circular economy, and sustainable buildings. This is a senior role, requiring regular interaction with our Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Previous knowledge of EU affairs and prominent experience in an EU public affairs role, preferably in-house or in consultancy is preferred.
This position reports hierarchically to the Group Operational Officer and Deputy CEO.

Can you say ‘yes’?...

• Are you pro-active, strategic, curious, independent, organized, structured and multi-tasking government affairs professional?
• Do you have an attention to details and quality output?
• Are you interested in and motivated by various ever complex policy files that inter-link and require prompt evaluation and inputs?
• Are you able to connect the dots, keep track of strategic business developments without losing sights of the details?
• Are you able to cut-through technicalities and translate policy developments into business relevant information?
• Collaboration is important for you, you're a team player and open communication between everyone is a key factor for you?

As Group Government Affairs Director, you would join the leadership of the company and would directly contribute to the business strategy in areas ranging to market developments to carbon emission reduction. You will be based in Knauf Insulation's Brussels office, with regular travel worldwide and to production sites (in Belgium and elsewhere in Europe) (up to 20-30% travel expectations).

What you’ll be doing:

Your responsibilities will be (non-exhaustive):

• • To actively contribute to the business strategy: working with regions, business units across the Group, innovation, sustainability, marketing, technical and regulatory affairs teams to anticipate, manage, and shape policy priorities and understand the commercial and reputational implications to the business. Report and activate the business where needed.
  • To devise and supervise public affairs and advocacy programmes to grow and maintain our markets and enable our license-to-operate.
  • To build and maintain relationships with relevant policymakers and stakeholders across EMEA/APAC, inc. European institutions, national authorities/policymakers, trade associations, think tanks and NGOs to develop coalitions and enhance the reputation of the business.
  • To support technical experts to cut through the complexity of issues and create clarity for stakeholders and translate the complexity in actional intelligence for the business.
  • To represent the business in European trade associations and advocacy campaigns. Participate as business partner in trade associations, and shape their respective strategies in alignment with business priorities.
  • To provide strategic advice and direction to a team of highly talented Public Affairs Managers and Directors across our EMEA/APAC region. Pro-actively identify public affairs needs in regions and support the business cases where needed. Oversee functionally the public affairs network across countries and regions.
  • To support regions in defining and implementing public affairs strategies across a range of issues, as well as promote the professional development and coaching of EU Public Affairs team members.
  • To manage budgets in a timely and effective manner.

What we’d love for you to have:

We are interested in you as a person; your attitude, behaviors and values. As long as you have the willingness to learn anything you need for the role that you don't already have, we'd love to speak to you. We're looking for someone with :

• A minimum of 10 years’ experience of public affairs preferably developed within a European context.
• The ability to apply business acumen to shape global legislative, regulatory and policy issues.
• Experience in the decarbonisation/energy/climate/environment sectors in Brussels, together with insights on the key issues that influence this sector.
• Experience in the construction industry or an energy-intensive industry is desirable, and must-have experience in a public affairs consultancy or in-house in a company.
• A significant network of EU and national policymakers and stakeholders in the sector.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and strong public speaking experience.
• Fluency in English, French and another European language (German highly desirable).
• Able to think fast and communicate succinctly.
• Leadership skills together with the ability to inspire and develop people – the role comes with the management of a team of two EU Public Affairs Managers and the Public Affairs Managers/Directors spread across the business divisions.
• Enjoys leading and working with multifunctional and multicultural teams.
• Open and collaborative, with a strong sense of team player.
• An inquisitive nature with a desire for learning about new areas.
• A high level of motivation and drive for excellence.
• Experience in crisis management and media engagement is highly desirable.

The position will be based out of our Brussels office. A regular presence in our Headquarters in Visé, Belgium, and travel to our locations Europe and worldwide will also be expected. This is an excellent opportunity to join our growing organization at an exciting stage of our development, with strategic input at senior management level, and real potential for further growth.

We will provide:

As this is a central, international position, the package and associated benefits will be those of the contract's host country. Our common criterion was to build a comprehensive salary package that stands out in the market.
On top of that, a dedicated time for personal development and potential for leadership training will be provided.

What happens next?

We appreciate that your time is precious and applying for a new job can be a lengthy process - so we have committed to replying to your application within five working days.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion (D&I) reinforces our Knauf Insulation values of Making Tomorrow a Home for all of us. We are committed to creating a workplace where we all can thrive, whoever we are, and inspiring a culture of inclusion and innovation that will drive future business success. We do our best to make sure being at work feels like home. To learn more about our business and culture go here (People & Culture - Knauf Insulation Western Europe)
If there are any other ways that you need to receive this job information, please contact us at dany.wolf@knaufinsulation.com