Director – General for Communication and Information

Position description

The General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union (GSC) is seeking to recruit a Director-General (AD15) for its Directorate-General for Communication and Information (DG COMM).

Your Role

• As Director-General, you will lead DG COMM in providing clear, accurate and timely information on the activities and decisions of the European Council and the Council;
• You will act as the principal adviser to the Secretary-General, the President of the European Council, and the Council Presidencies on external communication, social media, transparency, and public relations;
• You will develop and implement communication strategies, ensure the delivery of high-quality communication products, and represent the Council in public fora and negotiations with other EU institutions;
• You will manage the resources of the Directorate-General, organise its activities and motivate a skilled team of professionals.

 

Qualifications

We look for

We are seeking a forward-looking and innovative manager with a clear vision and the ability to lead and motivate a large, multidisciplinary team. A good understanding of EU policy-making and EU affairs, as well as of the EU institutional environment is essential, ideally with experience in communication, information, and transparency.

Knowledge of the areas and activities covered by the Directorate-General, and sound experience in budget, procurement and contracts would be an advantage. You will bring gravitas and a structured and engaging communication style and be able to advise high-level stakeholders. The role demands a thoughtful and solid advisor with political acumen and the ability to navigate technological advancements and varying stakeholder needs. The ability to bring original ideas and translate them into carefully considered and strategic lines of action would be an asset.

All GSC managers are expected to advise their hierarchy and stakeholders, manage their staff and financial resources, and represent the GSC. These expectations are set out in the GSC horizontal manager’s profile.

Furthermore, the jobholder will need to possess:

• the ability to think and plan strategically, to anticipate and identify potential problems and to propose workable compromises and solutions;
• excellent communication skills, including interpersonal communication skills;
• the ability to maintain good working relationships with a range of internal and external interlocutors and the ability to demonstrate diplomacy;
• leadership skills and the ability to promote a strong team spirit and to give guidance, and the ability to motivate and empower staff in a multicultural and diverse environment, with a strong emphasis on staff development;
• the ability to plan and organise the overall work of the Directorate-General so as to meet critical deadlines and ensure a fair distribution of workload within the team, as well as the ability to manage change and support staff through change;
• the ability to reach agreements, ensure impact and pursue common goals, by providing targeted advice to stakeholders and by effectively and constructively facilitating discussions.

Given that the GSC has a policy of mobility for its managers, who are expected to have broad experience, candidates should be willing and able to work in different areas of activity during their career at the GSC.

Application instructions

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