Head of Social Affairs

Eurocities, the network of major European cities, won a new 4-year project, enabling us to recruit several people in our Social Affairs team. As a result, Eurocities is recruiting a new Head of Social Affairs to lead the Eurocities Social Affairs Team. This role is critical in overseeing Eurocities’ activities in the field of social inclusion, primarily funded by the EaSI operating grant.

The candidate would ideally start as early as possible.

Eurocities is a dynamic and international team where we trust in people, value constructive exchanges and collaborative work. We help people thrive in a friendly, open and healthy environment while promoting a work/life balance.

About the Eurocities Social Affairs Forum

Eurocities has a dedicated Social Affairs Forum (SAF) that brings together over 150 cities to work jointly to address major social challenges such as employment, skills, housing, homelessness, poverty and social exclusion of vulnerable individuals, or demographic change. The Eurocities’ SAF brings cities together to jointly defend cities’ interest at European level. The forum also offers exchanges of experience, know-how and transfer of innovative solutions among cities. The forum activities are supported by the EaSI operating grant.

Thanks to this grant, Eurocities will support over 170 cities in implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) and related EU strategies by enhancing their capacities, fostering peer learning, and leveraging data-driven insights to drive policy innovation and contribute to the European Semester.

By facilitating training, peer exchanges, and political engagement, Eurocities will enable cities to develop effective policies on critical social issues such as urban poverty, social exclusion, inclusive labour markets and skills gaps, the demographic transition, early childhood education and care (ECEC), social and affordable housing, access to essential services, and equal opportunities.

Responsibilities

As the Head of Social Affairs, you will lead, guide and coordinate the social affairs team. You will be responsible for leading Eurocities activities related to social policies. These activities are implemented in the framework of the European Commission EaSI operating grant on social inclusion (2026-2029). You will report to the Projects & knowledge sharing director. As Head of Social Affairs, you will play a pivotal role in coordinating Eurocities’ efforts to work with cities across Europe to fight poverty, improve social inclusion, implement the European Pillar of Social Rights, the European Child Guarantee as well as the Union of skills at local level, etc.

The main tasks include:

• Leadership: leading, managing and guiding the Social Affairs team (10 people), providing guidance, support, and professional development opportunities to ensure effective project implementation
• Project Oversight: managing and overseeing the sound implementation of the EaSI operating grant, ensuring alignment with Eurocities’ strategic objectives and compliance with funding requirements
• Stakeholder Engagement: fostering strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including city members, European institutions, trade unions and relevant NGOs
• Technical Knowledge: thorough understanding and knowledge of social inclusion and social affairs
• Reporting and Communication: ensuring high-quality project documentation, including progress reports, deliverables, and communication materials
• Collaboration and synergies: working collaboratively across a diverse team environment, facilitating cooperation and knowledge sharing among team members. Developing potential synergies with other Eurocities policy areas, projects and communications activities by coordinating with relevant colleagues
• Strategic Planning: contributing to the strategic planning and development of Eurocities’ social affairs initiatives, and contributing to the work of the Extended Strategy Team (i.e. directors and head of teams)
• Business development: leading on project development in the field of social affairs, and engaging dormant members or new members in the social affairs forum.

Profile

You have:

• a successful track record of at least 10 years of work experience in social inclusion policies in the European context
• a Master’s degree or equivalent in social policies, social sciences, urban development, EU studies or related fields
• strong experience in managing and coordinating large EU-funded projects (preferably in the field of social inclusion)
• at least 3 years’ experience in successfully managing a team of people
• strong experience in EU advocacy and influencing EU institutions, and other relevant stakeholders
• experience in organising events and/or capacity building initiatives
• excellent understanding of EU policies in social inclusion, inclusive labour market and fighting poverty
• excellent understanding of the EU institutions and the EU decision-making processes
• good understanding of evidence-based policymaking, challenges and opportunities
• good understanding of mutual learning and policy transfer methodologies
• excellent knowledge of urban policies and cities in general, including the role of cities in the EU
• excellent research and analytical skills
• excellent political judgement
• good planning, organisation and coordination skills
• excellent oral and written communications skills in English
• problem-solving approach
• flexibility to deal with multiple and changing priorities
• able to work autonomously and as part of a team

Assets:

• experience of working in a membership association
• other languages (especially French)

We offer

• a full-time position linked to the EaSI grant (2026-2029), starting as soon as possible
• an employee contract, under Belgian legislation. The selected candidate will need to either live in Belgium or be willing to move to Belgium for the contract duration (candidates need to provide a Belgian address).
• from €4,600 to €5,000 monthly gross salary depending on experience
• flexible working hours
• part-time teleworking
• training opportunities and access to online training

Benefits

Meal vouchers, pension plan, hospitalisation insurance, public transport costs, 13th month, éco-chèques

How to apply

Applicants are requested to send a letter of motivation, describing point by point their relevant experience and linking it to the requirements for the position, and a CV with at least two referees (including your current or last employer) by Close of Business on 16 November 2025 to: Patricia de Wouters, People & Operations Director, at [email protected].

Please send the documents in pdf format and mention ‘Head of SAF’ in the subject line.

Interviews will be held in person in Brussels on the 8 and 9 December 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

We are aware that you might use AI when applying for this position. It’s acceptable to use AI to brainstorm, structure your ideas or edit your language. However, be aware that while AI is one of the tools we use in Eurocities, the main tool we need for the work here is our minds and experience: This is a content-based position, and one that AI cannot do for you. Please note this during the process to avoid any disappointment for either side later on. We want to use this interview to get to know you and your ideas, not what ChatGPT thinks the best answers are.