Octopus Energy

Director of Public Affairs

Octopus Energy

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Brussels • Belgium

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Job Level

Lead

About the role

  • **Be our face and voice in Brussels**. You’ll build strategic relationships with the Commission, MEPs, and the Council as well as with key trade bodies and stakeholders. You’re not just attending meetings; you’re telling the story of a transition that is good for growth, investment and customer experience and of the proof points Octopus is building.
  • **Change the debate.** The energy transition needs a new story. You’ll champion clean tech, flexible consumer demand and electrification, standing up to the old fossil fuel, expensive infrastructure narratives and showing institutions what the future actually looks like.
  • **Spot the signals.** You’ll keep a watchful eye on the legislative horizon. We don't need a summary of every directive; we need to know exactly which files will help or hinder our growth, long before they become law.
  • **Pick the fights that matter. **We can't be everywhere. You’ll have the discipline to say "no" to the noise and focus our firepower where it makes a real difference.
  • **Translate for the business. **You’ll explain what’s happening in the bubble in plain language. You’ll guide our internal teams so they know who to talk to and when, making complex policy actionable.
  • **Work with our businesses.** You will build an understanding of the different Octopus businesses and how they are impacted by and can help influence the EU agenda. You will help establish the priority policies to engage on and work with them to put the best case forward and get our voice heard.
  • We keep our teams lean so we can move fast and make change happen quickly. This role is no different. You will be our only employee in Brussels, at least to begin with, but will draw in the expertise and influencing power from across our European businesses and the Group more generally. Along with a line manager in the Group’s Corporate centre, you will have the support of a Public Affairs Agency that will help you keep track of what is happening, assist in organising key events and where needed lend specialist support on particular policy topics.

Requirements

  • **A Brussels expert.** You know the EU bubble inside out and you have a strong understanding of the energy and climate agenda of relevance to Octopus Energy. You understand how the legislative machine actually works (not just the theory) and you already have the network to prove it. You’re likely already based here, but if not you are ready and willing to relocate.
  • **Aligned with our mission.** You are excited by the low cost, low carbon “electrotech” future Octopus Energy is demonstrating. You already have experience advocating on topics related to our mission.
  • **A compelling, confident narrative.** You don't just speak "policy", you speak "human". You can explain the green energy transition simply and persuasively, offering policymakers a confident alternative to the old fossil fuel lobby. You have already shown you are not afraid to challenge legacy thinking or be the only voice in the room questioning the status quo.
  • **The ability to fly solo.** You don't need a huge team or a massive budget to make waves. You’re comfortable operating as a one-person engine room, using your own initiative and networks in the business to build influence and get things done.
  • **A team player. **You can build relationships in the business, demonstrating value-add and helping busy people have the biggest impact with the smallest amount of effort.
  • **A European mindset. **You understand that Brussels decisions don't happen in a vacuum. You can navigate the politics of member states and position Octopus as a true European leader, not just a UK success story.
  • **Comfortable in a challenger business environment**. Our direct style of communication, flat organisational structure, culture of ownership and responsibility and fast turnaround times are different from a traditional corporate. You will be excited by this and ready to adapt as necessary.
  • You might have decades of experience at the upper echelons of policy making or you might have just begun to operate at a senior level. We can make the role work for the right candidate. The most important thing is that you have experience that can add value quickly, are excited about working with us, share our values and can translate them into impactful engagement that is good for European customers, the energy transition and, as a result, our business.
Benefits
  • 💰 Wondering what the salary for this role is? Just ask us! On a call with one of our recruiters it's something we always cover as we genuinely want to match your experience with the correct salary. The reason why we don't advertise is because we honestly have a degree of flexibility and would never want salary to be a reason why someone doesn't apply to Octopus - what's more important to us is finding the right octofit!
  • 🎉 Octopus Energy Group is a unique culture. An organisation where people learn, decide, and build quicker. Where people work with autonomy, alongside a wide range of amazing co-owners, on projects that break new ground. We want your hard work to be rewarded with perks you actually care about! We were recently named the UK's top company to work for, and we ranked in the top ten in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024. Our Group CEO, Greg has recorded a podcast about our culture and how we empower our people. We’ve also been placed in the top 10 companies for senior leadership

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Soft skills
relationship buildingadvocacynarrative developmentcommunicationinfluenceinitiativeteam collaborationpolitical navigationadaptabilityproblem-solving