The BBA is the leading trade association for the UK banking sector with 200 member banks headquartered in over 50 countries with operations in 180 jurisdictions worldwide. Eighty per cent of global systemically important banks are members of the BBA. As the representative of the world’s largest international banking cluster the BBA is the voice of UK banking.
Director of EU Affairs
Management/Supervisory responsibilities
Direct Reports: EU Affairs Adviser
Main duties
The Director of EU Affairs is responsible for the BBA’s advocacy work in Brussels and across Europe for EU issues affecting members. The role-holder will help develop and articulate BBA policy, devise and implement strategic advocacy plans, analyse the impact of EU policy on members and ensure relevant information on financial services issues reaches targeted stakeholders in a timely and appropriate way.
The post requires frequent overnight travel to Brussels, Strasbourg and other European cities for meetings, as well as other key events.
The post holder is responsible for:
Direct advocacy with EU and European stakeholders;
Briefing senior colleagues and members on EU issues, including advocacy and engagement strategies;
Preparing briefings and documents for a variety of purposes/audiences, drawing on the views of members;
Compiling analyses of the views of key organisations on current principal EU issues;
Oversight of regular member correspondence and weekly EU legislation tracker;
Managing the BBA’s regular engagement programme with EU institutions and member state capitals, including organising member delegation, events and receptions; and
Updating members on a range of regulatory issues, principally related to EU developments.
The role requires:
knowledge of financial services issues at a European level (essential);
experience within a European Union institutions (desired);
strong analytical ability;
fluency in at least one other core European Union language other than English;
interest in politics/current affairs and regulatory policy issues;
ability to work on own initiative, under pressure and as part of a team; and
first class oral and written communication skills.
The post holder is also expected to develop and maintain good working relationships with counterparts in European institutions, member banks and other external stakeholders.
EU Engagement
The post holder will manage the BBA’s pro-active engagement with key decision makers in Brussels including:
developing and maintaining an active meeting programme for BBA colleagues and members with key officials and politicians in Brussels;
delivering, with the EU Policy Advisor, the BBA’s events programme in Europe;
providing feedback to colleagues and members as required;
representing the BBA and its members at a range of events;
maintaining BBA relationships with bodies such as UKREP, European Banking Federation (EBF), CBI Brussels and British Business Bureau (BBB), City of London Brussels Office, and European think tanks;
The post holder is responsible for:
timely forecasting and assessing likely impact of EU trends;
identifying key issues and legislative proposals of interest/concern to the BBA and its members [for example, in the areas of economic, monetary and social/consumer affairs in retail and wholesale banking]; and
with the EU Policy Advisor, monitoring inter alia European Commission, Council and European Parliamentary activities that impact on banking and financial services, keeping colleagues and members informed of developments and initiatives.
EBF Representation
The post holder will:
represent the BBA at European Banking Federation (EBF) Committees as required;
deputise, at need, for the Executive Director of External Affairs at EBF ComCom meetings.
Briefing
The post holder will:
coordinate and provide written information, updates, briefings, submissions on developments in Brussels in relation to banking and financial services issues as required;
compile regular reports for senior colleagues and members, tracking all BBA meetings/dealings with EU institutions;
manage production of regular member-facing products and EU legislation tracker;
provide tailored EU copy for other BBA publications as required.
BBA Membership Committees
The post holder will:
organise, run and secretariat the BBA’s EU Affairs Committee;
support other BBA membership committees when required, tracking EU government affairs activities.
Communication Team
The post holder will:
participate in ongoing member engagement and advocacy work across all areas and disciplines;
brief media as required, with the potent for developing some media responsibilities.
Education and Experience
Qualifications/education required:
Educated at least to degree standard or equivalent.
Experience required:
Substantial proven track record of working in a policy-related/public affairs/political role [for example, in the EU institutions, in a finance ministry, or in a similar body to the BBA] with a demonstrable ability to build and maintain contacts;
A clear understanding of current affairs and relevant EU financial services public policy issues;
A strong knowledge and understanding of political issues, the legislative process and the EU institutions involved.
Aptitude/skills required:
Strong communicator; able to relate at any level (e.g. from MEP to Cabinet level);
Excellent oral and written communication skills;
Politically aware;
Organised and able to work across multiple issues;
Attention to detail;
Ability to work well under pressure;
Ability to work as part of a team;
Excellent time management;
Good research & analytical skills;
Ability to communicate fluently in at least one other core Community language other than English.
How to apply
By Email: Please send your CV and covering letter to: recruitment@bba.org.uk.
By Post: Please send your CV and covering letter to:
Human Resources Manager
British Bankers’ Association
105-108 Old Broad Street
London EC2N 1EX
Closing date: Tuesday, 17 May.