Policy Manager

The Policy Manager is responsible for developing, coordinating, and delivering Impact Europe’s policy activities to strengthen the organisation’s influence within the European impact investing and social enterprise ecosystem. The role ensures that policy priorities reflect the needs and perspectives of members and the wider community while supporting Impact Europe’s strategic objectives.

Working closely with the Director of Ecosystem, the CEO, and colleagues across the organisation, the Policy Manager monitors policy developments, develops policy positions and advocacy materials, and builds relationships with policymakers and ecosystem stakeholders. The role serves as a key source of policy intelligence for the organisation and contributes to strengthening Impact Europe’s visibility, credibility, and influence in relevant policy discussions.

The Policy Manager works collaboratively across teams to ensure policy insights inform research, communications, events, membership activities, and external engagement.

1. EU Policy & Regulatory Analysis

• Monitor and analyse EU legislative and policy developments relevant to impact investing, including developments related to financial and capital markets regulation, sustainable finance, EU budget and funding instruments, and the social economy.
• Understand and track the full EU legislative and policy cycle, identifying the appropriate entry points for engagement with policymakers at different stages of policy development and negotiations.
• Translate complex policy and political developments into clear implications, opportunities and recommendations for Impact Europe and its members.
• Develop high-quality policy briefings, in alignment with the strategic direction and priorities agreed with the Director of Policy & Insights / Director of Ecosystem.
• Proactively identify emerging policy and regulatory opportunities where Impact Europe can contribute distinctive expertise.
• Contribute to maintaining relevant policy content on Impact Europe’s website and other communication channels.

2. Strategic Advocacy & Institutional Engagement

• Develop and implement advocacy strategies, in alignment with the strategic direction and priorities agreed with the Director of Policy & Insights / Director of Ecosystem, aimed at improving the policy and regulatory conditions for mobilising and deploying impact capital in Europe.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior policymakers and officials across the European Commission, European Parliament and Member States, as well as other relevant European institutions and bodies.
• Engage confidently and independently with policymakers on technical and strategic policy questions, representing Impact Europe’s positions in bilateral meetings, consultations, hearings, roundtables and other policy processes.
• Identify the right institutional and political stakeholders — and the right moments — for engagement throughout the EU legislative and policy cycle.
• Organise and facilitate policy dialogues, webinars, working groups, workshops and strategic discussions bringing together policymakers and actors from across the impact ecosystem.
• Develop coalitions and partnerships with relevant European networks, think tanks, civil society organisations and stakeholder organisations where joint engagement can strengthen policy impact.

3. Policy Development & Ecosystem Intelligence

• Work closely with Impact Europe’s colleagues, members and partners to understand barriers preventing capital from reaching organisations and solutions delivering positive social and environmental impact.

• Translate market evidence, practitioner experience and ecosystem intelligence into actionable policy recommendations.
• Develop high-quality policy briefings, position papers, consultation responses and recommendations to shape Impact Europe’s policy positions and support evidence-based advocacy, in alignment with the strategic direction and priorities agreed with the Director of Policy & Insights / Director of Ecosystem.
• Contribute to Impact Europe’s thought leadership on the role of public and private capital in addressing Europe’s social, environmental and economic challenges.
• Work collaboratively across the Ecosystem Department and with other Impact Europe teams to ensure that policy, knowledge, data and ecosystem insights reinforce one another.

4. EU Funding & Strategic Initiatives

• Contribute to the development of strategically relevant EU funding proposals and partnerships where appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues responsible for project coordination, finance and reporting to ensure that policy-related activities supported through EU funding are strategically relevant and delivered in line with commitments.

Experience & Expertise

We are looking for a candidate with:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in European Studies, Law, Economics, Political Science, Public Policy, Finance or another relevant field.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in EU policy, public affairs, financial regulation or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience working on EU financial regulation, capital markets, sustainable finance and/or EU budget and funding regulation.
• A strong understanding of the EU institutional and legislative process, including how the European Commission, European Parliament and Council interact throughout different stages of policymaking.
• Practical understanding of where and how stakeholders can engage effectively at different stages of the EU legislative and policy cycle.
• Proven experience engaging directly with senior European Commission officials, MEPs and Member State representatives.
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to understand complex regulatory issues and translate them into clear strategic recommendations.
• Excellent written and spoken English; additional EU languages are an asset.
• Knowledge of impact investing, social investment or the social economy is an advantage, but a strong motivation to understand how capital can be mobilised for positive impact in Europe is essential.
• The ability to operate independently and take ownership of work while maintaining strong alignment with the Director and wider team.

The Person We Are Looking For

Expertise matters, but so does how we work together.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Proactive and entrepreneurial — someone who identifies opportunities and moves ideas forward rather than waiting to be instructed.
• Creative and strategic — able to connect regulatory developments, political opportunities and ecosystem needs.
• Collaborative — a genuine team player who shares information, supports colleagues and values different perspectives and expertise.
• Open and trustworthy — comfortable working in an environment built on candid communication and mutual trust.
• Transparent and honest — willing to raise concerns, acknowledge uncertainty and communicate clearly, including when perspectives differ.
• Committed and accountable — someone who takes ownership of their work and follows through on commitments.
• Guided by integrity — exercising sound judgement and building credible, respectful relationships internally and externally.
• Comfortable working independently while actively contributing to a collaborative and fast-moving team.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary package, including 13th salary, holiday pay, transportation reimbursement, expenses allowance and meal vouchers.
• Full-time position based in Brussels.
• Flexible working hours and a work-from-home policy.
• Group health and pension insurance.
• Professional travel insurance.
• A friendly, open and collaborative working environment.
• The opportunity to contribute directly to shaping the European policy environment for impact investing and the mobilisation of capital for positive social and environmental impact.

More Information and How to Apply

Please visit Impact Europe’s website, Impact Stories and LinkedIn profile to learn more about our work.

Interested in applying?

Please send the following documents:

• Your CV
• A relevant written example, such as a policy brief, position paper, case study or article
• A cover letter outlining your motivation and relevant experience

In your application, we would particularly welcome examples demonstrating your experience influencing or contributing to an EU legislative or policy process, including how you identified and used relevant opportunities for engagement with policymakers.