Public Affairs Manager

At EIT Food we accelerate innovation to build a future-fit food system that produces healthy and sustainable food for all. To achieve this, we are leading the world’s largest food innovation community. Through a missions-led approach, we put improving outcomes for people and planet as the starting point for our work.

Supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, we invest in projects, organisations and individuals that share our goals for a healthy and sustainable food system. We unlock innovation potential in businesses and universities and create and scale agritech startups to bring new technologies and products to market. And we equip entrepreneurs and professionals with the skills needed to transform the food system and educate and inspire the next generation.

Our innovation projects are delivered with a combination of industry, education, and research partners to improve environmental and health outcomes, by developing solutions that align with our three missions:
Healthier Lives Through Food, A Net Zero Food System, and Reducing Risk for a Fair and Resilient Food System.

EIT Food headquarters (HQ) are based in Leuven (Belgium) and it has 5 regional hubs in Europe (based in Poland, Spain, Germany, the UK and Netherlands), each working with and for partners in several EIT Food partner countries.

The Public Affairs Manager supports EIT Food’s Public Affairs and policy activities at EU level, strengthening visibility, stakeholder engagement and positioning across the European policy landscape. You will monitor EU policy and legislative developments, translate insights into clear briefings and recommendations, and support advocacy and stakeholder engagement. The role focuses on EU innovation, competitiveness, healthy ageing, biotechnology, sustainable food systems, food and nutrition policy, future funding frameworks, and helping EIT Food navigate an evolving institutional landscape.

Public Affairs activities within third-party-funded work packages may be prioritised. You will contribute to their planning, coordination and delivery.

You’ll work in our motivated Communication Unit, reporting to the Director of Advocacy and Marketing and collaborating with EIT Food teams on policy monitoring, stakeholder outreach, Public Affairs planning and proactive engagement with the EIT Food network, partners and food system stakeholders.

Policy monitoring and intelligence

• Monitor EU policy and legislative developments relevant to EIT Food, including FP10, the European Competitiveness Fund, innovation and competitiveness policy, healthy ageing, nutrition, microbiome science, biotechnology, sustainable food systems, food and nutrition policy, NCD initiatives, public procurement and the Food and Feed Omnibus.
• Produce policy briefings, stakeholder notes, alerts and actionable insights for internal teams and leadership on strategic topics.
• Identify political risks, funding opportunities and engagement moments relevant to EIT Food’s priorities.

Stakeholder and institutional engagement

• Maintain stakeholder mappings and support relationship management with EU institutions, MEPs, Permanent Representations, Member State actors, EIT partners, National Contact Points and external networks.
• Organise and support policymaker and stakeholder meetings, including briefing notes, policy summaries and follow-up materials.
• Represent EIT Food at selected EU policy events, stakeholder discussions and working-level forums where relevant.
• Identify and support outreach opportunities to strengthen EIT Food’s visibility and positioning in Brussels and across Member States.

Strategy and internal support

• Support EIT Food’s Public Affairs strategy and help translate priorities into clear policy engagement activities.
• Contribute to Public Affairs planning, coordination, reporting and preparation for relevant leadership discussions.
• Provide timely input on policy developments, regulatory trends, political risks, funding opportunities and stakeholder priorities.
• Support tailored Public Affairs input for strategic initiatives and emerging opportunities.

Partnerships and projects

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