The Brief
This critical role both enables Skype to achieve its core business objectives by influencing legislative and regulatory frameworks and policy in Europe (with a key focus on Brussels and Strasbourg) whilst also ensuring Skype's exposure to political and regulatory risk is mitigated.
Your objective is to position Skype as a serious and responsible corporate player and a global thought leader on Internet public policy development.
Key Responsibilities
• Represent Skype in negotiations and discussions with the EU institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg
• Ensure Skype's GR strategy is facilitated by EU-level policy developments
• Ensure consistency between Skype, eBay and (where applicable) local partner public policy positions
• Contribute to the overall GR strategy of the company
• Create and maintain network of EU institutional, government and other stakeholder contacts in Brussels
• Proactively analyse EU-level political and legislative developments likely to adversely affect Skype's business plans, current and future
• Carry out effective advocacy on relevant legislative, policy and regulatory issues
• Act as an educator to EU institutional and, on occasion, national government stakeholders
• Promote Skype's corporate reputation in those circles
• Liaise very closely with Skype's Director for European Government & Regulatory Affairs, who is responsible for Skype's overall GR policy for Europe, to formulate and execute the strategy in Brussels
Pre-requisite Knowledge, Skills and Experience
• Previous demonstrated experience gained in Brussels and / or major European capitals in at least one of the following areas (preferably two):
o working in Government, Parliament and or Politics;
o working in government relations, corporate communications / PR within an IT, Internet and or Telecommunications Company;
o working as a consultant to an IT / Internet / Telecommunications Company
• Working knowledge of Telecommunications Regulations
• Honed advocacy, influencing ability together with stakeholder management skills
• Fluent English essential, other European languages highly desirable (especially French and/or German)
Behaviours
• Ability to think creatively, quickly and collaboratively
• Communicate with impact
• Natural curiosity and abstract thinking
• Be highly motivated and driven
• Ability to build strategic relationships and networks
• A fascination with technology
An ability to think creatively, quickly and collaboratively
Much of what we're working on has yet to be codified. We are helping shape communications laws, regulations and policy for the next ten years, but things are moving very fast.
Communicates with Impact
It is one challenge to understand complicated conceptual and technical ideas, but it is quite another to be able to translate them into concise, convincing policy arguments where non-technical officials or politicians can understand them and, importantly, are convinced by them.
A natural curiosity and abstract thinking
Why doesn't regulation that is meant for the legacy telecoms world work for next generation IP-based communications applications? How can we promote competition in the communications marketplace while protecting consumers? How can Skype help reduce barriers to global communication? Does Skype have a role in bridging the digital divide in the EU and beyond? What is a Wee-Mee?
Values
We are looking for a person that will thrive in the Skype culture, which is characterised by the following values:
• User Focused & Humble
• Disruptive & Fun
• Fast & Decisive
• Respectful & Honest
Qualifications
• Degree in Law, Political Science, Economics or other relevant discipline essential
• Post-graduate qualification in relevant discipline desirable
