Secretary General

Position Details

• Function: Secretary General
• Contract: Full-time | permanent position
• Starting date: as soon as possible
• Place of work: Rue d’Arlon 63, 1040Brussels

About Municipal Waste Europe

Municipal Waste Europe (MWE) is the European umbrella association representing public waste management authorities and operators across Europe. The organisation contributes to EU-level policymaking by articulating the collective interests of its members in relation to waste management, circular economy, resource efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Established as an AISBL and headquartered in Brussels, MWE operates in close interaction with EU institutions, Member States and key stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of European waste and environmental legislation.

The Position

Municipal Waste Europe is seeking to appoint a Secretary General to lead the organisation and its Secretariat.

Reporting to the Board, and accountable to the members, the Secretary General will assume overall responsibility for the strategic direction, day-to-day management and external representation of the association. This is a senior executive role requiring demonstrated authority, judgement and leadership capacity at European level.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and management of Municipal Waste Europe and its Secretariat.
• Hold executive responsibility for staff leadership, budget management, operational delivery
  and internal governance.
• Ensure robust financial governance, transparency and internal control systems, in line with best practices for membership-based international organisations.
• Represent MWE at senior level vis-à-vis EU institutions, policymakers, Member State representatives and other relevant stakeholders.
• Lead the organisation’s policy engagement and advocacy work, in particular in relation to EU waste legislation, circular economy and resource efficiency policies, and climate and environmental policies affecting the waste sector.
• Support and advise the Board on strategic priorities, policy positioning and organisational development.
• Act as the organisation’s principal spokesperson in high-level meetings, conferences and
  public forums.
• Manage internal and external stakeholder relations by maintaining close engagement with members and key stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive understanding of their priorities and positions.
• Take a leading role in driving membership growth by actively identifying opportunities, engaging prospective members, and strengthening the organisation’s value proposition.

Candidate Profile – Experience and Qualifications

This position is intended for an experienced leader with a proven track record of managing teams and organisational responsibilities.

• The successful candidate should demonstrate an established track record in leadership roles, with responsibility for organisational management, including staff leadership, financial oversight and delivery against strategic objectives.

• Experience should include leading or senior functions in a multi-stakeholder and European or international context, which will be considered accordingly.

• Candidates must bring deep and demonstrable expertise in the European waste management sector, including its regulatory, institutional and policy dimensions. Senior leadership experience gained within the waste management industry or related public services is considered a strong asset.

• A thorough and practical understanding of EU legislative and policymaking processes relevant to the waste sector is required, particularly in the areas of waste, circular economy, resource efficiency and environmental regulation.

• An established professional network within European waste, environmental, sustainability, or circular economy policy communities is required. 

• The candidate should also demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective professional relationships.

• Proven ability to operate within and reinforce transparent, accountable governance structures in membership-based or public-interest organisations.

• Professional fluency in English and a strong working proficiency in French.

Experience Considered a Significant Advantage 

• Previous professional experience within the EU institutions (European Commission, European Parliament, Council or EU agencies), or roles involving regular interaction with them.

• Direct exposure to EU legislative procedures, policy development or implementation processes.

• Experience working with Boards and governance bodies in membership-based, public-interest or regulated-sector organisations.

What We Offer

A senior executive position within a well-established European association with a recognised role in shaping EU waste, circular economy and sustainability policy.

A strategic leadership role based in Brussels, at the centre of the EU policy environment.

Competitive remuneration and benefits, commensurate with the seniority of the position and aligned with Belgian employment standards.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following documents in English:

• A detailed curriculum vitae.

• A motivation letter (maximum two pages) outlining relevant experience and interest in the position.

• Contact details for three professional referees.

Applications should be sent to: [[email protected]], no later than 30 March 2026.

Municipal Waste Europe is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.