EU Public Affairs Specialist at Swift

Job description

ABOUT US We’re the world’s leading provider of secure financial messaging services, headquartered in Belgium. We are the way the world moves value – across borders, through cities and overseas. No other organisation can address the scale, precision, pace and trust that this demands, and we’re proud to support the global economy. We’re unique too. We were established to find a better way for the global financial community to move value – a reliable, safe and secure approach that the community can trust, completely. We’re always striving to be better and are constantly evolving in an ever-changing landscape, without undermining that trust. Five decades on, our vibrant community reflects the complexity and diversity of the financial ecosystem. We innovate diligently, test exhaustively, then implement fast. In a connected and exciting era, our mission has never been more relevant. Swift now has a presence in 200+ countries and legal territories to serve a community of more than 12,000 banks and financial institutions. EU Public Affairs Specialist Swift is looking for a Public Affairs Specialist to oversee our engagement across the EU institutions and around a range of policy areas relevant to our business. Swift is a critical service provider, providing financial messaging, standards, products & services to over 11,000 customers in over 200 countries and territories. Given our neutral nature as an important global utility for the financial services industry we maintain political relationships across a wide spectrum of Government stakeholders in a number of countries. To support our global public affairs function we are opening a new position to lead the company’s government relations in Brussels, monitoring political developments and overseeing our political engagement across areas that may affect Swift. The role will report to the Global Head of Public Affairs, working closely with other colleagues in the Legal and Compliance department to meet our company objectives. The Public Affairs function is part of the Legal and Compliance Department whose mission it is to support Swift’s business operations, strategic goals and innovative initiatives in a manner that preserves Swift’s reputation, safeguards Swift’s legal rights and assets and ensures Swift’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The role will expose you to Swift's governance, technology and commercial activities, and requires a good understanding of Swift’s landscape, payments and the wider technological developments in the financial industry. You should have a keen interest in technology, the functioning of the financial system, payments, politics and regulation. Responsibilities Monitor and identify political, legislative and regulatory developments relevant to Swift (in close cooperation with local colleagues, and as needed, Regulatory Affairs) Provide ‘Early Warning’ on issues that may affect our business to ensure Swift is aware, in advance, of political and policy trends Gather insights into Government policy and direction on topics relating to Swift’s business, including: Payments and securities related policy, including other payment systems Data, technology, cloud computing, cyber security, financial crime compliance, anti-money laundering, foreign policy issues of relevance, Legislative and regulatory reporting Lead Swift’s proactive government and regulatory stakeholder engagement in Brussels, working closely with the business team and our global experts Identify and engage political commentators, academia and trade associations Promote a better awareness and understanding of the company’s operations, to represent and protect its interests and educate policy makers on the benefits of Swift to the global financial system Identify opportunities across the political and academic sphere to demonstrate Swift’s expertise and experience Liaise and manage locally-based consultants Skills & Qualifications University degree in political science, communication