Recruitment Consultant – Public Affairs, Policy & Communications

Location: Brussels, Belgium

Working arrangement: Hybrid

Employment type: Full-time, permanent

Company: Spencer Recruitment

Salary: Competitive base salary plus commission

About Spencer Recruitment

Spencer Recruitment is a specialist recruitment consultancy working across public affairs, policy, corporate communications, public relations, advocacy, marketing and membership.

We have built a strong reputation for understanding the sectors in which we operate, developing long-term relationships and providing a highly personalised service to clients and candidates.

As we expand our European offering, we are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Recruitment Consultant to establish and grow our presence in Brussels.

The opportunity

This is an opportunity to develop a specialist recruitment desk focused on the Brussels public affairs, EU policy, corporate communications and public relations market.

The successful candidate will work with public affairs consultancies, communications agencies, trade associations, membership organisations, NGOs, professional bodies, EU institutions and international businesses operating in regulated sectors.

You will be responsible for developing new client relationships, managing recruitment assignments and building a strong network of policy, public affairs and communications professionals across Brussels and the wider European market.

The position would suit an experienced recruiter with knowledge of the Brussels market or a public affairs, policy or communications professional interested in moving into a commercially focused recruitment role.

Key responsibilities

Business development and client relationships

- Build Spencer Recruitment’s client network across Brussels and the wider EU public affairs and communications market.
- Identify and approach prospective clients across consultancies, trade associations, NGOs, professional bodies and international organisations.
- Develop trusted relationships with hiring managers, agency leaders and senior communications and public affairs professionals.
- Attend relevant industry events, networking sessions and conferences in Brussels.
- Monitor hiring activity, organisational developments and market trends to identify new business opportunities.
- Conduct client meetings and vacancy-intake calls to understand organisational needs, role requirements and recruitment challenges.
- Prepare recruitment proposals, salary advice and market insights for clients.
- Manage client relationships throughout the recruitment process and beyond.

Candidate recruitment and market development





- Build and maintain a strong network of professionals working across EU policy, public affairs, government relations, advocacy, corporate communications and public relations.
- Proactively identify and engage passive candidates through networking, referrals, LinkedIn and targeted market research.
- Conduct detailed screening interviews and assess candidates against agreed role requirements.
- Provide candidates with clear and informed advice on organisations, opportunities, salaries and career development.
- Develop specialist knowledge of the Brussels talent market, including skills availability, salary levels and emerging hiring trends.
- Maintain regular contact with candidates and provide a professional experience throughout the recruitment process.

Managing recruitment assignments

- Manage recruitment processes from initial briefing through to placement.
- Develop search strategies for permanent, fixed-term and contract assignments.
- Produce candidate shortlists and accurate client-facing candidate summaries.
- Coordinate interviews, gather feedback and manage communication between clients and candidates.
- Support offer management and salary negotiations.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date information within the company’s recruitment systems.
- Ensure recruitment activity is conducted professionally and in accordance with relevant data-protection and employment requirements.

Marketing and profile building

- Build Spencer Recruitment’s profile within the Brussels public affairs and communications community.
- Develop relevant market content, salary insights and hiring updates.
- Use LinkedIn and other professional channels to promote vacancies, share market intelligence and engage with the sector.
- Represent Spencer Recruitment at public affairs, communications and EU policy events.
- Contribute ideas for roundtables, networking events and thought-leadership initiatives.

Target markets

The desk will recruit across areas including:

- EU public affairs
- Public policy and regulatory affairs
- Government and institutional relations
- Corporate communications
- Public relations and media relations
- Advocacy and campaigning
- Trade association and membership communications
- Political communications
- Sustainability and ESG communications
- Digital communications and content
- Issues and reputation management





Assignments may range from Consultant and Account Manager level through to Director, Head of Function and senior leadership appointments.

Candidate profile

We are interested in speaking with candidates who have experience in one or more of the following areas:

- Recruitment, executive search or talent acquisition.
- Public affairs, EU policy, government relations or advocacy.
- Public relations, corporate communications or strategic communications.
- Business development, account management or professional services.

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate:

- Strong relationship-building and networking capabilities.
- Commercial awareness and an interest in developing new business.
- A good understanding of the Brussels professional environment.
- Confidence engaging with senior clients and candidates.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- The ability to manage several recruitment assignments and competing priorities.
- A proactive, organised and self-directed working style.
- Sound judgement, discretion and attention to detail.
- An interest in European politics, public policy, regulated industries and communications.

Previous recruitment experience would be advantageous, but we are also open to candidates from public affairs, policy or communications backgrounds who can demonstrate strong commercial potential and an interest in recruitment.

Fluent professional English is essential. French, Dutch or another European language would be an advantage.

What Spencer Recruitment offers

- The opportunity to establish and lead a specialist Brussels recruitment desk.
- A competitive base salary and commission structure.
- Direct access to the Managing Director and support from an established specialist recruitment business.
- Autonomy to develop client relationships and shape the growth of the Brussels market.
- An existing reputation and network across public affairs and communications recruitment.
- Hybrid working and flexibility.
- Opportunities to attend and host relevant industry events.
- Long-term career progression as the Brussels operation grows.

Measures of success

During the first 12 months, the successful candidate will be expected to:

- Develop a strong network across the Brussels public affairs and communications market.
- Establish relationships with prospective clients and secure new recruitment assignments.
- Build credible candidate pipelines across priority disciplines and levels.
- Deliver high-quality shortlists and successful placements.
- Build Spencer Recruitment’s visibility and reputation within the Brussels market.
- Develop a sustainable pipeline of repeat and referred business.

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