Be a key member of Yahoo's EMEA government and regulatory affairs function.
Yahoo is the world’s largest start-up, which means that we move fast and always let our users lead the way. Founded in 1994 by two Stanford PhD candidates, we’ve grown into a company that helps you find what you’re looking for on any Internet-connected device. Our employees are rewarded for curiosity and we celebrate explorers, relying on our passionate and transformative talent to do what’s right for our users.
As a leader in global daily habits like email, entertainment, news and sports, we strive to inspire, delight and entertain. By infusing our products with beauty and personality driven by our users, every Yahoo experience feels made to order.
The role
The Director of Public Policy EU will be a key member of Yahoo’s EMEA government and regulatory affairs function, which works with colleagues in the global public policy team to advance Yahoo’s strategic interests in the region.
This role will have primary responsibility for maintaining the company’s profile and influence in Brussels – managing relationships with EU policymakers, civil society organisations, trade associations and other stakeholder groups. The role will be Brussels-based, with occasional travel to other locations in Europe and to the US (Washington DC and California).
The Public Policy function is part of Yahoo’s legal team, and plays a pivotal role in ensuring an appropriate regulatory and policy environment for our business – not only by managing the company’s brand with policy stakeholders, but also promoting the benefits of the Internet and new media sector more generally. Our public policy brand is based on strong thought leadership, deep subject matter expertise, constructive dialogue and considered input to policy debates, always consistent with Yahoo’s values.
Position responsibilities and deliverables
The Director of Public Policy EU will work with the EMEA and global public policy teams to design Yahoo’s European advocacy strategy, and will be responsible for its delivery in Brussels:
- Personally leading Yahoo’s engagement with EU policymakers, politicians and non-governmental stakeholders to establish us a thought leader on issues of importance;
- Representing Yahoo across a range of EU trade associations and industry groups, contributing to the development of policy positions and joint advocacy as appropriate;
- Within Yahoo, advising and engaging executives and business leaders in EMEA and the US on the implications to them of policy developments in the EU;
- Representing Yahoo in hearings, meetings and seminars as required – both in public and in private;
- Identifying, analysing and prioritising emerging policy issues and preparing appropriate responses (position papers, consultation responses, briefing documents etc.);
- Adapting the execution of the global public policy strategy and goals to the EU – ensuring consistency with those goals, while taking account of local market conditions;
- Working closely with the rest of the global public policy team – especially those responsible for specific European markets or subject areas – to keep them informed of EU policy developments and contributing to effective advocacy within member states as required.
Candidate experience
- A significant track record in a policy-rich environment – e.g. within government, regulator, trade association or private sector actor – preferably with experience of the issues affecting the technology, internet and media sectors. Experience within a complex, multinational company would be an advantage;
- Deep experience of the policymaking process in Brussels, with a strong record of leading and delivering effective advocacy directed at the EU institutions. Ideally, also experience of working across multiple European markets;
- Experience as the representative of an organisation to senior policy makers and key stakeholder groups in pursuit of political or regulatory outcomes. Experience of public speaking and presenting;
- Proven management and leadership skills, including evidence of devising and successfully delivering significant projects;
- Experience engaging and advising senior executives on complex policy issues;
- Experience of forging strong working relationships in matrix organisations, and across culturally and geographically diverse teams.
Candidate attributes
- Collaborative – an instinctive team worker who works across boundaries to establish a shared vision and achieve shared goals with flexibility, dedication and a sense of humour;
- Communicative – a natural translator of complex, abstract or technical concepts into compelling language that influences experts and non-experts alike. Ability to brief business leaders, subject-matter experts, and policy and legal colleagues in a timely, relevant and succinct way. Must be an equally assured written and verbal performer;
- Highly Networked – A skilled internal and external relationship builder, with the ability to construct and maintain strong networks of policy influence within and around the Brussels institutions;
- Commercially Aware – with a sophisticated understanding of business strategy and commercial drivers, and an awareness of how policy debates translate into impact on a global business such as Yahoo;
- Organised and Self-Motivated – able to prioritise effectively, work autonomously, act on their own initiative and assume leadership of projects and initiatives as required;
- Diplomatic – skilled in negotiating and navigating shifting coalitions with industry peers, within trade associations and other stakeholder groups in support of Yahoo’s policy goals;
- Multilingual – fluent in two European languages (including English). Ability to work confidently in German would be preferred.