Job Description

As senior lead of APCO's Health Policy Team in Brussels, you will lead the health policy team, serving as the primary leader and strategic driver for our health policy initiatives in the EU. You will act as a trusted advisor and primary point of contact for clients, while driving new business opportunities with a proven ability to lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing team in a dynamic policy environment. You will be responsible for shaping and executing our health policy strategy, representing the organization with key EU stakeholders, and ensuring our clients receive best-in-class policy counsel and advocacy.

This role provides exposure to a wide range of high-profile projects and international clients within the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, with the chance to collaborate across global teams and offers the opportunity to be part of a high-performing, inclusive, and collaborative team environment.

Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership: Accountable for team portfolio oversight and operational quality of the practice, as well as mentor and guide staff in the team, fostering professional development and a positive team culture.
• Client Leadership: Serve as a counselor to C-suite clients across the health sector, managing large client teams, supervising project teams and delegating projects and tasks effectively.
• Business Development: Identify and lead new business opportunities, building a robust pipeline of health sector clients in Brussels and in collaboration with teams across Europe.
• Sector Expertise: Apply deep EU health policy knowledge to develop and drive the strategies that support client’s objectives.
• Strategic Advisory: Advise clients on public affairs responses to macrotrends and policy developments impacting multinational health care companies, translating these issues into meaningful business impact.
• Growth Mindset: Demonstrate a track record of organic client growth and proactively pursue new business opportunities.
• Thought Leadership: Maintain a strong industry network and be recognized as a thought leader in the market.

Qualifications:

• At least 10 years of experience in EU health policy in consultancy, in-house, European institutions, or within trade associations.
• Strong project management experience, including overseeing teams and multiple deliverables, providing clear and concise feedback to maintain high standards.
• Demonstrated success formulating and leading strategic engagements with external stakeholders.
• Desire and capability to proactively identify and secure new opportunities across a broad range of the health sector.
• Global perspective and the ability to clearly articulate macrotrends shaping the business of health care.
• Exceptional presentation, writing, and analytical skills including the ability to write strategically and creatively under tight deadlines.

About APCO In Brussels

APCO Brussels has over 65 staff working across more than 100 clients and sits at the centre of the agency’s global operations. Thanks to a diverse and multilingual team, APCO Brussels leads on many of the agency’s most dynamic global assignments.  

With a growing client base in the most pressing issues facing the world today such as the transition to Net Zero and access to healthcare, APCO has been a fixture of the Belgian communication’s market for many years and continues to be at the forefront of the seismic changes facing economies and societies today. We are a truly integrated agency, with deep expertise and experience across the full range of communication offerings including corporate communications, public affairs, digital strategy and paid media.

About APCO

APCO is a global advisory and advocacy firm helping leading corporations, foundations and governments navigate a complex world and create lasting impact.

Founded in 1984, with one woman’s vision and bold action, APCO has grown into an independent, majority women-owned firm of more than 1,200 employees with work spanning 80 markets around the world.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO is comprised of strategic advisers, consultants and creators, working together across borders and functions, to provide services and expertise on financial, competitive, political and societal issues.

APCO is a trusted partner to bold purpose-led leaders, lawmakers, government officials, NGOs, the media and other stakeholders in the health, energy, technology, transportation & infrastructure and food & consumer products sectors. For 40 years, the firm has provided public affairs, crisis & reputation, impact, corporate reputation and global solutions services.

APCO is renowned for its ability to champion clients’ interests and permission to operate, build their reputation and strengthen their standing. APCO’s integrated approach and team of tenacious and empathic talent create connections and winning strategies that accelerate progress and deepen impact.

By bringing diverse people and ideas together, and working beyond traditional boundaries, APCO builds the un/common ground upon which progress is made.