Kellen is the leading professional services firm dedicated to creating,
managing and advising EU and global trade associations and interest groups.
Are you a highly motivated
Secretary General & Senior Public Affairs Professional for European Associations?
Then reach out to us!
Kellen in Europe is looking to strengthen its client association teams operating in the food, environment, transport and energy sectors. The position is based in our Brussels office and you will work for several clients, mainly in the Food sector.
Role overview
Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of client accounts and Secretariat teams for a few European associations, primarily active in the food sector.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Drive: Provide leadership and clear direction to association’s Boards and members, proactively driving initiatives forward to deliver impact and results while motivating teams and stakeholders.
- Advocacy & Policy: Monitor, analyse, and actively contribute to scientific, technical, legal, and regulatory developments shaping the sector and impacting member interests.
- EU Representation: Support and represent the trade associations in their engagement with EU institutions on key policy areas including trade, sustainability, agricultural policy and food safety.
- Networking & Events: Design and deliver high-value networking opportunities and events for the client accounts, for example a biennial European Convention.
Your role:
- Contribute to shaping the associations’ strategic direction and guide them through an evolving and complex global trade and policy environment;
- Position the associations as a credible and influential voice of the industry at EU level, representing members’ interests both in the short and long term across the stakeholder landscape;
- Proactively manage the strategies related to EU agri-food policies, working towards a clear, balanced, and supportive regulatory framework for the sectors concerned;
- Represent the associations in EU legislative and regulatory processes across relevant fora, including speaking engagements at conferences and external events;
- Build, nurture, and sustain strong relationships with key stakeholders at EU/Brussels level and in priority Member States, spanning institutions, industry, and NGOs/civil society;
- Take a leading role in driving membership growth, in line with agreed membership development strategies and priorities.
- Act as the primary point of contact for the associations’ Presidents and Boards, ensuring effective communication, alignment, and coordination with Secretariat teams;
- Prepare and support General Assemblies and Board meetings in close cooperation with the Secretariat teams.
- Lead and manage the Secretariat teams, overseeing the daily operations to ensure delivery in line with the associations’ strategies and objectives.
You have:
- 7-10 years of experience in regulatory and public affairs in agro-food industry.
- Excellent knowledge of EU policy discussions around common agricultural policy, food safety, trade and sustainability, as well as EU policy making processes and relevant networks across EU institutions and relevant stakeholders.
- Relevant experience with trade associations in the agro-food area
- A strong self-starter spirit, quality- and result-oriented professional, ability to work independently and willingness to work in an international environment
- Ability to work for, serve and lead several accounts (with a consultant-like mind) and provide concrete results and impact
- Strong communication skills
- Passion for relationship building with members of associations and Secretariat teams.
- Fluent and professional English written & spoken skills and any other European language as a plus
- Computer literacy (MS office, web-based tools, Artificial Intelligence)
We offer:
- A permanent contract under Belgian law;
- An attractive remuneration package commensurate with experience;
- A combination of office and home-working after the first months of onboarding in the office;
- An international work environment within a leading firm;
- Continuous training and professional development.
Application process: Please send your CV and cover letter by e-mail to: recruitment@kellencompany.com (ref: vacancy SG 2026) preferably before January 26th, 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For more information on our company you can go to: Kellen: http://www.kellencompany.com/Europe
Kellen will ensure that candidate’s personal data are processed as required by Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) on the protection of natural persons with regards to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data.