Q1 Update | The 5 Most in Demand Skillsets in Brussels
by Warren Madlin, Director MadlinHanna Consulting
Working across the Brussels market has been a part of our day-to-day for over 18 months. Partnering with clients and delivering on their briefs has enabled us to identify the five most in-demand skills clients are seeking across public affairs and communications in that market.
ESG skillset
With the ever-increasing pressure from consumers for companies to demonstrate their ESG credentials, corporate affairs agencies are having to significantly upskill the capabilities of their teams to better support their clients. Hiring managers are looking for those who can support across the E, S and G often delivering business advice as well as comms advice. Whether it is exploring B-Corp certification; navigating legislation around environmental & social issues like the rights of workers in the gig economy; or supporting clients with the SFDR disclosure requirements, hiring managers are having to prioritise the ESG skillset. One question to ask is if the presence of the ESG advice now rests with comms teams, does this suggest that businesses want to say they are doing the right thing, rather than doing the right thing?
Tech & Healthcare
Sector expertise in technology and healthcare are joint first in demand in the briefs we have taken over the course of Q1. The expansion of technology whether that be social media, financial technology or med-tec appears to be never-ending. The big five GAFAM tech firms split projects and service lines across different agencies so there is often enough work for five agencies all working on the same organisation. When technology is under such scrutiny, these public affairs professionals need to be robust.
Management
With flexible working now the norm, a lot of agency leaders are looking for managers who can cultivate a culture that encourages people to be in the office but when they are at home, manages to be inspirational, motivational and collaborative in 2D. Firms hiring also need to be aware that juniors within the current team are going to be looking to see why that person has secured the role over their promotion. People need to join with their presence justified and lead by example.
Agency background
It feels like at this point there is even more importance placed on the commercial skillsets required to succeed in an agency environment. Time is money and knowing how to juggle competing demands and stakeholders is essential. Especially at the senior level, you need someone who has gained operational experience, leading hiring, setting budgets for accounts and supporting the team. Those skills are more easily transferable from another agency.
New Business
Related to the agency point, new business capabilities are incredibly important. This is not just the requirement for self-generated business, although this is a part of it, but someone who can expand existing accounts. Agencies need consultants who can broaden and extend existing client briefs to other parts of the agency whether that is discipline e.g. public affairs to digital, or region e.g. Brussels to London. Those who can turn one project into a £30k retainer are incredibly sought after as well as those who are a reliable pair of hands for a CEO or MD to forward incoming business to knowing it will be converted, especially when early conversations might be virtual.
If you are looking to bolster your talent in Brussels, please do reach out to warren.madlin@madlinhanna.com
MadlinHanna Consulting is a recruitment consultancy specialising in corporate affairs, covering public affairs, corporate communications and financial PR. Contact us on 020 8088 4102 for more information or a confidential conversation about these services and more.