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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, based in vibrant Manchester.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, special days off, and a health cash plan.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in public affairs while collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and 2-5 years in public affairs or strategic communications.
- Other info: Dynamic office culture with monthly events and a focus on diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ 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.
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
Contact Detail:
MDPI 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 on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks for a chat. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you’re at networking events or meetings, share your insights on current policy trends or challenges in the academic sector. This not only positions you as knowledgeable but also makes you memorable to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after meetings! If you’ve had a great conversation with someone, drop them a quick email to thank them and keep the dialogue going. Building relationships is key in public affairs, and this can lead to job opportunities down the line.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic roles available, including the Public Affairs Lead position. Make sure to check it out and submit your application directly. It’s the best way to get noticed by our hiring team!
We think you need these skills to ace Public Affairs Lead - Europe in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Public Affairs Lead role. Highlight relevant experience in public affairs, strategic communications, and stakeholder engagement. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about public affairs and how you can contribute to MDPI's mission. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your hard and soft skills that match the job description. Whether it's your proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 or your problem-solving mindset, let us know what makes you a great fit for the team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at MDPI
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in MDPI’s public affairs strategy and the specific challenges facing the academic sector in Europe. Brush up on recent policy developments and be ready to discuss how they impact the organisation.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with stakeholders in the past. Highlight your experience in coordinating meetings and managing relationships, as this role heavily relies on effective communication and advocacy.
✨Be Proactive and Adaptable
Demonstrate your proactive approach by discussing times when you’ve taken the initiative in previous roles. Also, be ready to talk about how you adapt to changing priorities, as this is crucial for a dynamic environment like MDPI.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the role and the company culture. Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or how MDPI measures success in public affairs. This will not only impress your interviewers but also help you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
