EU Public Affairs Manager – Refrigerants & F-gas

EPEE, the leading Brussels-based European association representing the heating and cooling industry (refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pumps – RACHP), is seeking an experienced EU Public Affairs Manager to lead a portfolio of EU regulatory files — with the F-gas Regulation and refrigerants policy at its core, alongside related product regulations against the background of climate change, energy efficiency and sustainability.

Reporting directly to the Director-General and working very closely with EPEE’s members, both corporates and national and European associations, you will lead EPEE’s advocacy on priority regulatory dossiers, including the 2027–2030 F-gas reviews, steer technical expert committees, and engage with EU institutions and member companies on evidence-based positions. The role requires close collaboration with the Senior Manager responsible for PFAS, as the files are interconnected.

Key responsibilities

• Portfolio leadership: own the refrigerants portfolio end-to-end, including the advocacy strategy for the F-gas reviews on the 2027–2030 horizon.
• Lead and animate: technical working groups, Impulse Teams, task forces and core groups; work hand in hand with committee chairs, member-company experts and external consultants.
• Institutional engagement: manage engagement with the relevant European Commission services (DG CLIMA, DG ENER, DG GROW, DG ENV), European Parliament committees (ITRE, ENVI), Council working parties, Permanent Representations and, increasingly, national authorities.
• Policy content: draft and coordinate technical position papers, consultation responses and amendment proposals on key files, as well as direct advocacy to present EPEE’s positions.
• Technical coordination: translate technical material into credible advocacy positions, with the support of team members, our membership and specialised consultants.
• Monitoring and representation: track EU developments (energy transition, environmental regulation, substances) and represent the association in coalitions and external meetings. We strongly believe in coalition building and working with third parties.
• Travel: within and outside Europe, to represent EPEE and speak at conferences.

Your profile

• Experience: at least 5 years directly in EU public affairs in Brussels, with demonstrated leadership of both political/public affairs and technical regulatory and legislative files.
• Trade association experience: not an absolute requirement, but someone who will enjoy working in a membership-driven association where compromise and consensus are the order of the day.
• Technical aptitude: comfort with technical and scientific material.
• Policy expertise: solid grounding in EU energy and environmental policy and its links to product regulation.
• Skills and attributes: excellent English; strong analytical, drafting and stakeholder-management skills; a team player who is also able to work autonomously — curious, rigorous, diplomatic, and at ease on sensitive files.
• Presentation skills: you will chair committee meetings, engage a diverse and senior membership, and speak at events on EPEE’s behalf, so you should be comfortable and effective in front of a room.
• Eligibility: EU citizenship or valid work authorisation for Belgium.

What EPEE offers

• A senior, high-visibility role at the heart of the EU’s energy transition agenda, on files that shape a growing and major industrial sector.
• Direct access to decision-makers at EU, national and international level, working closely with committee chairs and member-company experts across Europe.
• An environment where you can become autonomous in your areas of responsibility and grow your professional profile and visibility.
• A competitive salary package aligned with seniority and experience, with the usual benefits of the Belgian employment framework.
• Hybrid working: three days in the office and two days of telework per week.
• Four weeks per year working from abroad, in two blocks of maximum 15 consecutive days.
• 30 days of annual leave: 20 statutory days, 5 additional EPEE days and 5 days covering the office closure between Christmas and New Year.

EPEE is committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the industry and the society we work for. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, age, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or sexual orientation. If you need any adjustment to the recruitment process, just tell us and we will arrange it.