Public Affairs Lead - Europe in Manchester

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.

Tasks & Responsibilities

• 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’s mission is to foster open scientific exchange in all forms, across all disciplines. We operate over 400 peer‑reviewed, open‑access journals supported by more than 66,000 academic editors, serving scholars worldwide. Besides publishing, we develop and maintain digital platforms and software—including scientific exchange platforms, article databases, and search engines—to empower scholars. As of the end of 2022, we count more than 6,700 colleagues in 17 offices across 11 countries.

Benefits

• Flexible Working Times – you can start work anytime between 7‑9am and finish between 3‑6pm.
• Special Days Off – no need to use up your holidays for occasions such as marriage or moving house; MDPI offers paid time off.
• Our Culture – a friendly work 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 reward high‑performing employees.
• Perkbox – access to our benefit platform, providing discounts and benefits across various retailers.
• Health Cash Plan – after probation, employees are enrolled in a private health membership with Bupa, covering dental, doctors, prescriptions and more.
• Modern City Centre Office – located next to Piccadilly Gardens, a 10‑minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly and Oxford Road stations.
• Cyclescheme – save 25‑39% on a bike and accessories.
• Techscheme – save up to 10% on tech purchases from retailers 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, prioritises growth through learning, support, and feedback, and actively seeks initiatives to advance diversity and inclusion across all offices.