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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead public affairs strategy across Europe and engage with key stakeholders.
- Company: Join MDPI, a pioneer in open access publishing with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, special days off, health cash plan, and bonus incentives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in public affairs while working in a vibrant city centre office.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and 2-5 years in public affairs or strategic communications.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
The Role: To strengthen the External Affairs team, we are seeking a Public Affairs Lead Europe to support and implement MDPI’s public affairs strategy across the region. Acting as a regional lead, you will manage public affairs activities across assigned European countries and serve as a key contact for policy, institutional, and governmental engagement. As part of our commitment to fostering a collaborative team environment, this role requires working fully on-site. Our office is located in Manchester city centre.
Responsibilities
- Regional Public Affairs & Strategy
- Support and implement MDPI’s public affairs strategy across Europe in alignment with External Affairs objectives.
- Manage public affairs activities across assigned countries and act as a key internal contact for policy-related topics.
- Contribute insights to strengthen MDPI’s positioning at a regional and European level.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy
- Support engagement with academic, governmental, and policy stakeholders across Europe.
- Coordinate meetings, consultations, initiatives, and participation in relevant events.
- Maintain stakeholder records and support long-term relationship management.
- Coordination, Policy Monitoring & Reporting
- Coordinate with public affairs and PR/PA agencies to ensure consistent messaging and effective delivery.
- Support team workflows, guidelines, and process improvements.
- Monitor relevant policy and regulatory developments and prepare briefings, intelligence updates, and advocacy materials.
Requirements
- Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
- 2-5 years of professional experience in strategic communications, public affairs, policy, or related roles.
- Experience working with public affairs or communications agencies.
- Experience in or knowledge of publishing, research, or the academic sector.
- Experience supporting small teams, mentoring and leading collaborative initiatives.
- Hard Skills & Languages
- English - fluent (C1 required); additional European languages are an asset.
- Ability to prepare clear and concise policy briefings, reports, and stakeholder materials.
- Familiarity with European policy environments and institutional landscapes.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365.
- Soft Skills & Competencies
- Proactive, reliable, and detail-oriented working style.
- Confidence in meetings and stakeholder interactions, internal and external.
- Strong communication and coordination skills.
- Problem-solving mindset with the ability to adapt to changing priorities.
- Team-oriented, resilient, and motivated to contribute to long-term objectives.
About MDPI
A pioneer in scholarly, open access publishing, MDPI has supported academic communities since 1996. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, MDPI has the mission to foster open scientific exchange in all forms, across all disciplines. We operate currently over 400 diverse, peer-reviewed, open-access journals supported by over 66,000 academic editors. We serve scholars from around the world to ensure the latest research is openly and broadly available. Besides our main publishing business, we develop and maintain digital platforms and software ranging from scientific exchange platforms to article databases and search engines, all focused on empowering scholars and giving them the best possible product and service. As of the end of 2022, we count more than 6700 colleagues in 17 offices across 11 countries.
Benefits
- Flexible Working Times: You are able to start work anytime between 7-9am, and finish between 3pm-6pm.
- Special Days Off: Getting married or moving house? No need to use up your holidays, MDPI offer paid time off for such occasions.
- Our Culture: A friendly working environment with monthly lunch parties, office snacks and seasonal events.
- Bonus Incentives: Depending on your role, you may be eligible for one of our bonus schemes which rewards high-performing employees.
- Perkbox: You will have access to our benefit platform called “Perkbox.” This will provide you with a range of discounts and benefits across various retailers, including savings on food, drinks, tech, travel, and more.
- Health Cash Plan: After passing probation, employees are enrolled into our private health membership with Bupa. You can claim money back on dental, doctors, and prescriptions amongst many other health services.
- Modern City Centre Office: Located next to Piccadilly Gardens, our office is a 10 minute walk from both Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Oxford Road train stations. There are also tram stops outside of the building.
- Cyclescheme: Save between 25-39% on a bike and accessories.
- Techscheme: Save up to 10% on tax when purchasing tech equipment from places such as Ikea and Currys.
Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion
At MDPI, we believe in fostering an inclusive work environment that respects and values individual differences and prioritises growth through continued learning, support, and feedback. We are always seeking new initiatives to advance diversity and inclusion across all our offices to create a more equal workforce.
Public Affairs Lead - Europe in Manchester employer: MDPI Romania
Contact Detail:
MDPI Romania Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Public Affairs Lead - Europe in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the public affairs scene. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching MDPI’s public affairs strategy and recent initiatives. Show us you’re genuinely interested in our mission and how you can contribute. Tailor your responses to highlight your experience in stakeholder engagement and policy monitoring.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your background aligns with the role of Public Affairs Lead. Focus on your experience in strategic communications and how you’ve successfully managed relationships with stakeholders in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining the MDPI team and contributing to our goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Public Affairs Lead - Europe in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Public Affairs Lead role. Highlight your relevant experience in public affairs and strategic communications, and show us how you align with our mission at MDPI.
Showcase Your Skills: We want to see your hard and soft skills shine! Be specific about your experience with policy monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and any languages you speak. This will help us understand how you can contribute to our team.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate a well-organised application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at MDPI Romania
✨Know Your Public Affairs Landscape
Before the interview, dive deep into the current public affairs landscape in Europe. Familiarise yourself with key policies, stakeholders, and recent developments that could impact MDPI's strategy. This will not only show your enthusiasm but also your proactive approach to understanding the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Public Affairs Lead, strong communication is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've effectively engaged with stakeholders in the past. Be ready to discuss specific instances where your communication skills made a difference in policy advocacy or stakeholder management.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
MDPI values a collaborative environment, so be prepared to share experiences where you’ve successfully worked within a team. Highlight any mentoring or leadership roles you've taken on, and how you contributed to achieving collective goals.
✨Prepare Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about MDPI’s public affairs strategy and how it aligns with their overall mission. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company culture fits your style.
