Public Affairs Director EU

Are you ready to lead impactful advocacy in a fast-paced, global environment? At Essity, we’re looking for a strategic and influential Public Affairs Director EU to join our Global Public Affairs team. This is your opportunity to shape public policy, build powerful partnerships, and represent a global leader in hygiene and health at the heart of European decision-making. If you’re passionate about business and societal progress and thrive in a dynamic, collaborative setting, this role is for you. 

Essity operates globally in many markets and deals with increasing and diverse policy developments and legislative frameworks that have an impact on its business.  The Public Affairs team works proactively with and across all Essity’s Global and Business Units by contributing to and help adapting their strategies to maintain or gain competitive advantage through public policies whilst contributing to societal progress and policy developments.  

Our Public Affairs function contributes to Essity's business model, strategy, operations, and how Essity plays a role in society based on economic, environmental, and social value creation.  

• Lead and execute the EU Public Affairs strategy, including advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and partnership management, in line with global Essity Public Affairs agenda to enable and support the business strategy.  

• Monitor, assess and share political, regulatory, and public policy developments relevant to Essity’s business. 

• Build and maintain strong networks with Brussels-based stakeholders, including policymakers, NGOs, and associations to drive advocacy, contribute to policy shaping for prioritized issues and position Essity in relevant associations and partnerships. 

• Develop and deliver targeted advocacy plans and policy messages aligned with Essity’s global Public Affairs strategy. 

• Own the EU trade association engagement plan, ensuring alignment between Essity’s various trade associations, working group engagements and representations, sharing information and representing Essity in selected trade associations. 

• Coordinate third-party provider selection and management.

​

• Participate in and lead internal and external Public Affairs networks to drive intelligence sharing, best practices, and execution. 

• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in public affairs is required, ideally gained through a combination of roles within companies and public institutions. Experience working in Brussels, particularly in senior-level positions engaging with EU institutions, is highly valued. Familiarity with industry or trade associations is appreciated when it complements the above, and exposure to FMCG environments is a plus. 

• Proven ability to manage diverse stakeholders and influence across regions and functions. 

• Strong leadership, communication, and networking skills to inspire and engage people to deliver results.  

• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach and a track record of delivering results. 

• Ability to turn strategy into action and deliver results.  

• Experience in matrix organization and international networks is highly valued. 

• Experience influencing internal and external stakeholders.  

• Strong communication skills being able to translate complex/technical public policy language into understandable, impact-oriented business messages.  

• Effectively builds and fosters strong, collaborative, and positive relationships and trust with internal and external partners in an open environment by involving others 

• Proven ability to operate, influence opinion and reach decisions in international networks  

• Fluent in English; additional languages are a plus.