EU Director

CCSA - Carbon Capture & Storage Association

Brussels, Belgium

Brief

Climate Change is one of the greatest challenges of our time and the ability to capture, transport and store or utilise carbon dioxide will be crucial to ensure a sustainable, competitive and equitable transition to a low-carbon economy.

The CCSA is seeking a highly motivated, dynamic and politically astute EU Director to represent the CCSA in Brussels and lead the EU team of experts across policy, external affairs, event and membership services. This position will play a pivotal role in leading and shaping policy development and advocacy and communicating the needs to industry at the most senior political and media levels, managing stakeholder relationships, and forging strategic partnerships to advance the CCUS industry.

This is a stretching role for a committed and driven individual with a strong interest and experience in CCUS and policy in the climate change sector. The postholder will need to be highly flexible to prioritise where their input will add most value in a dynamic political landscape, and highly collaborative to work effectively both within the team and across a wide range of stakeholders.

The role

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) you will support the CEO in leading the work of the association to accelerate the deployment of CCUS on behalf of the CCSA Board and its members. The CCSA’s EU Director will lead the CCSA’s Brussels-based team as the most senior role in the Brussels office.

You will be responsible for implementing the EU strategy, ensuring that the CCSA continues to advocate for enabling policy and regulatory frameworks for commercial deployment and removing barriers to project delivery at both EU and priority Member State levels, with a focus on cross-border CO2 infrastructure and creation of a Europe-wide CO2 market.

You will be responsible for the CCSA’s relationship with all European stakeholders, including the European Parliament, Commission and media and you will have responsibility for navigating the legislative process and engaging and influencing stakeholders at all levels to secure positive outcomes for the CCSA and its members.

You will lead on further developing the association’s profile in Europe and building strong relations with Member States and organisations that influence CCUS. You will also be responsible for commissioning and delivering research and further developing and communicating CCUS industry data to inform strategy, policy and CCSA work programmes, including EU-based or joint EU-UK projects.

The role includes management of the EU Policy and EU External Affairs teams (including Membership and Events).

Responsibilities

Oversee the policy team and external affairs teams to develop a policy and advocacy work programme to lead and influence policies that are relevant to the development of the CCUS and hydrogen sectors, prepare briefings, submissions and presentations to the European Parliament and Commission;
Oversee and influence the legislative and regulatory developments relevant to the CCUS and hydrogen sector, advising on potential impacts and strategies;
Oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive external affairs and communications strategy to influence public perception and policy and decision-making at Member State level;
Oversee the development and delivery of a campaigns programme and support cross-functional teams to deliver projects and inform policy-making in line with company objectives;
Support CCSA’s engagement and advocacy work with external stakeholders – overarching narrative development, specific briefings, meetings and events;
Build and maintain strong relationships with parliamentarians, government officials, industry regulators, policy makers, and other key stakeholders;
Represent the CCSA at industry events, conferences, and public hearings, providing necessary briefings and acting as a spokesperson when required;
Negotiate and manage partnerships with government bodies, energy organisations, and other relevant entities to support strategic goals;
Support the CCSA membership to develop stronger policy and political relationships;
Collaborate with Membership Communications teams and undertake key account management to ensure excellent service to members and grow the EU membership;
Manage direct reports (Head of EU External Affairs and EU Policy Manager);
Support the CEO to prepare annual budgets to the CCSA board for your areas, ensure management within budgets and provide quarterly forecasting and reporting throughout the year;
Oversee the delivery of relevant corporate objectives to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the UK team.

Essential criteria

A proven track record in leading policy development and influencing policy-makers – preferably within the field of CCS/CCU and hydrogen - or related energy sector;
Excellent knowledge and demonstrable experience of the EU institutions and their political decision-making processes around policy, regulation and legislation;
Experience of managing a collaborative European policy initiative with strong analytical skills – ability to receive technical information and translate it into a strategic policy context;
Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills with strong attention to detail, experience with the European media and a track record of engaging and influencing stakeholders at all levels;
Experience of planning, executing and measuring success of external communications and corporate affairs plans;
An excellent communicator and diplomat – able to explain complex issues simply and with an ability to manage effective discussions between organisations with diverse viewpoints and work out compromises where members’ views differ;
Track record as an effective leader, demonstrating strategic acumen, with the ability to lead and manage talent and build an effective team to prioritise and deliver agreed and focused actions;
Experience of leading multi-disciplinary teams to co-create strategic approaches through successful engagement with stakeholders;
Exceptional managerial skills with an ability to mentor and inspire colleagues – driving performance and influencing indirect reports;
A proactive, results-driven self-starter, with excellent organisational skills, including ability to manage own and others’ workloads, deliver at pace and balance both immediate term priorities and longer-term goals to achieve successful outcomes with a small team;
Proven delivery track record – has delivered at pace in a changing environment with a small team, leveraging a wider network of resources;
Financial management skills including setting budgets and tracking performance;
A broad understanding of the science of climate change and the technologies that can be used to transition towards net zero and long-term climate sustainability;
Understanding of the need for CCUS and its applicability to industry, power, hydrogen, advanced fuels and carbon dioxide removals sectors;
Competent in the use of IT applications;
Native English speaker or equivalent level. Other languages are an asset;
The right to work in BE/EU.

Desirable criteria

A relevant undergraduate degree in an area such as geosciences, climate change or a related field;
A post-graduate qualification, such as a Masters Degree in Climate Change or other related discipline or politics;
Extensive relevant experience of working in energy and climate change, particularly carbon capture and storage and hydrogen, or in a political environment;
A wider understanding of EU government and policy making processes;
Understanding of the role of trade associations in supporting businesses;
Good technical understanding of the CCUS value chain;
Experience in applying and assuring compliance with regulations;
Experience working in cross-function and multi-geography teams.

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