Lead Animal Health Public & Government Affairs EU

WHO ARE WE?

ROPU MIDI is a Regional Operating Unit that covers all local Human Pharma and Animal Health Operating Units across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, and The Netherlands. MIDI has a multicultural and diverse work environment. More than 1.800 employees are striving to work together to improve lives for patients and animals in our region.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Boehringer Ingelheim is a global leader in Animal Health. To support this ambition, we are hiring a Lead, EU Public & Government Affairs – Animal Health, to significantly strengthen our political engagement in Brussels.

Based in Boehringer Ingelheim’s Corporate EU Office in Brussels, you will be part of the Public and Government Affairs team and work closely with the Global Head of Public Affairs Animal Health and the Animal Health Business Unit. You will play a central role in actively informing the European political environment to support Boehringer’s Animal Health strategy.

A core expectation of this role is to develop a clear, targeted EU public and government affairs strategy for Animal Health and drive its end‑to‑end execution. This includes defining political priorities, designing actionable plans with specific intended outcomes and actions, and ensuring rigorous follow‑through to deliver tangible results.

You are passionate about life sciences, deeply interested in the interconnections between human, animal, and environmental health, and have demonstrated successes in informing policy processes in complex environments - preferably in Brussels.

HOW YOU’LL FIT IN:

• Develop, coordinate and continuously refine the EU Public & Government Affairs strategy for Animal Health, including political priorities, advocacy plans, and stakeholder engagement.


• Lead execution of the Brussels-based strategy, ensuring alignment with global and EU objectives and adapting to evolving EU political dynamics.


• Monitor and assess EU legislative and policy developments, identifying risks and opportunities and translating them into actionable plans.


• Represent the organization at EU-level meetings, hearings, conferences, and within key industry associations such as AnimalhealthEurope.


• Build and maintain strong relationships with EU institutions, policymakers, industry partners, and other key external stakeholders.


• Provide senior leadership with political intelligence, strategic advice, and high-quality briefings, speeches, and policy materials.


• Drive effective cross-functional collaboration and project execution, translating complex policy topics into clear actions and leading advocacy initiatives to deliver measurable impact.

YOU BRING:

• Master’s degree in political sciences, law, economics, sustainability, environmental management, or related field.


• At least 8-10 years of relevant EU policy or political affairs experience in consultancy, industry, government, NGOs, trade associations, or EU institutions.


• Proven ability to navigate complex political environments and deliver concrete policy outcomes, ideally in the EU/Brussels context.


• Experience or strong interest in Animal Health or Life Sciences policy is highly desirable.


• Deep understanding of EU policymaking processes (Commission, Parliament, Council) and political dynamics.


• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to creatively design, implement, and drive execution of public and government affairs strategies.


• Excellent communication, writing, negotiation, and interpersonal skills; ability to simplify complex topics.


• Ability to thrive in matrix organizations, work autonomously, and build networks quickly.


• Creative problem‑solver with a proactive, resilient, and pragmatic mindset.


• Excellent written and verbal English required; other EU languages are an asset.

WHAT WILL YOU GET IN RETURN?

Next to the opportunity to develop and challenge yourself while learning from a fast-paced environment: 

• Work in a wellbeing-oriented organization (Premium access to Headspace and ongoing support and initiatives related to ways of working to help our employees to stay healthy and constantly improve the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being) 

• Customized Development plan based on your role and aspirations, with several learning platforms such as LinkedIn Learning Premium (languages + training programs) and our Virtual Campus Lifelong learning at our Virtual Campus | Boehringer Ingelheim (boehringer-ingelheim.com) 

• Good balance between work and free time (Mix of working from home within the respective country / office as well as flexible working hours) 

• Option to temporarily work from abroad for a limited period (up to 30 working days) - if applicable. 

• Working in a diverse, multicultural, and collaborative environment.Full time basis with 20 legal holidays and 12 time-reduction days 

• Competitive salary package and extralegal benefits. 

Please note that pay information will be shared during the recruitment process.

What’s next? 

Please submit your CV & Motivation letter before 21st July 2026. We will have a look at your CV and cover letter. If we see a match, we will invite you for a video call interview to get to know each other. We will keep you posted during the process!

Screening:

In order to comply with applicable export control laws, Boehringer Ingelheim periodically screens business relations (including job applicants) against sanctioned party lists (“SPL”). These checks may be performed by Boehringer Ingelheim or by any of its Affiliates. You acknowledge that Boehringer Ingelheim and/or its Affiliates will screen you against SPL and that for this purpose your personal data may be processed in relevant databases, including databases of third-party vendors that perform SPL screening for or on behalf of Boehringer Ingelheim or its Affiliates which may be located or accessible outside the EU. Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to ensuring an adequate level of protection of your personal data.