CropLife, Director Public Affairs

CropLife Europe represents 22 member companies that design solutions for innovative and sustainable farming, supported by a network of 32 national associations. We represent over 26,000 people working in the sector who believe in the positive contribution they make to society.

Farmers today need to produce more and better with less. Virtually everything we eat comes from a farm, and EU farmers of all types and all sizes rely on ag tech.

Our industry strives to accelerate the development of new, better solutions to farmers’ problems of pests, climate, and diseases, and to advance enhanced farming practices that utilise more technology to produce our food while using less resource. We believe this is best achieved through a holistic approach that offers growers integrated and innovative pest management solutions. Farmers responsible for the more than 10.2 million agricultural holdings across Europe are also acutely aware that producing enough food sustainably cannot be achieved if the availability of these solutions is reduced.

CropLife Europe members are committed to delivering truly sustainable agriculture. Innovative farming tools, used in combination with good agronomic practices, are needed to meet ever-evolving consumer demands for food that is safe, tasty, diverse and affordable. More sustainable agriculture that makes the best use of all of the latest technology will ensure a more sustainable future.

About the Role

The Director of Public Affairs acts as an ambassador for the Crop Protection Industry seeking to gain understanding, recognition, co-operation and dialogue about the Crop Protection Industry’s role and contributions in the context of sustainable agriculture.

The Director of Public Affairs sets out to achieve that policies and legislation in the European Union uphold a science and risk-based approach, foster innovation, operate in an efficient and pragmatic way, protect intellectual property and reward the introduction of new technologies and practices.

Responsibilities

• Read the political and business environment; demonstrate awareness and understanding of political dynamics and trends that might impact the Crop Protection Industry;
• Maintain active relations with the European institutions;
• Build relations and work with stakeholder peers on joint initiatives;
• Develop and implement public affairs strategies and advocacy plans to generate support for a fact-based discussion about the benefits of Crop Protection among the Industry’s key stakeholders, including at public meetings and events, whilst demonstrating an ability to understand, listen and respond to public concerns;
• Manage a strong public affairs team;
• Within the public affairs team, in collaboration with issue managers and working groups, support the strategic direction for CropLife Europe’s advocacy work and its translation into specific objectives and action plans, aligning the association network to support the public affairs priorities;
• Help building consensus among the members of the association;
• Advise the Director General on all strategic public affairs’ issues involving the sector.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years’ experience at a similar level;
• Full set of advocacy skills: communications, stakeholder relations, crisis management, negotiating and consensus building;
• Passion about agriculture/food or sustainable development or the environment; strong leadership skills;
• Solutions and results-oriented;
• Track record as an implementer able to manage a variety of issues concurrently;
• Experienced and convincing speaker in native-level English – abilities in German and French would be an asset;
• Ability to transform technical information into policy and emotional messages;
• Track record as a manager who likes to develop people;
• Strong writing and editing skills in (near) native-level English;
• Strong knowledge of the EU institutions;
• Knowledge of European agricultural or environmental policy would be an asset.

The ideal candidate is an excellent communicator, a self-starter as well as a team player, and both flexible and service-minded.

Recruitment Process

Dober Partners has been retained to draw up a shortlist of prospective candidates against the criteria set out in this document, and using their discretion and expertise to recruit a new Public Affairs Director, together with the Director General CropLife Europe and the leadership team.

For further information please contact: Mark Dober, M: , M: ,