✈️ Safran Aero Boosters is looking for our future Institutional Relations Manager 🌍
Want to help build the aviation of tomorrow? A global leader in its field, Safran Aero Boosters designs, develops and manufactures equipment, subsystems and test benches for aeronautical and space engines.
Our strength? Combining technological expertise, innovation and industrial excellence. We develop low-pressure compressors, lubrication systems, aerospace valves and engine test benches used by the biggest names in aeronautics.
Based in Belgium, Safran Aero Boosters brings together 2,000 people who work in a high-tech environment. State-of-the-art equipment, automated production, continuous improvement and team spirit: everything is in place to take on ambitious challenges and grow your talent.
Why join Safran Aero Boosters?
- A sustainable leader in aerospace: reducing industrial emissions, producing green energy, protecting biodiversity, managing water and waste, …
- An innovative environment where engineers, technicians and operators work together to bring ideas to life.
- Cutting-edge technical and personal development through Safran University and the Digital Academy.
- Career opportunities in leadership or international roles.
- A friendly, flexible working environment, with a genuine « Liège » spirit
So, does this sound like you? We are looking for our future Institutional Relations Manager for our site in Herstal.
🚀Let's talk about your future role
As Institutional Relations Manager, you contribute to the strategic success of Safran Aero Boosters by identifying, developing and driving institutional opportunities at Belgian, European and international level. You strengthen Safran Aero Boosters's influence on public policy, access to public funding and R&T, as well as our integration into collaborative defence programmes. The role involves regular travel within Belgium and the European Union.
Your responsibilities include:
- Strategic monitoring and anticipation: Maintain active monitoring of public policy, international initiatives (European Union - EU, European Defence Agency - EDA, European Defence Fund – EDF & NATO) and regulation (state aid, research support, cooperation programmes) that may impact our activities. Anticipate political and regulatory trends and decisions to identify valuable opportunities (funding, partnerships, collaborative programmes) and risks to mitigate.
- Influence and external representation: Develop and drive our institutional influence strategy. Engage in information and responsible lobbying efforts with public decision-makers and defence bodies (European Commission and Parliament, Belgian and French ministries, NATO representatives, etc.), in line with Group and legal frameworks, with the aim of promoting our interests and Safran's in public decisions and programmes.
- Funding structuring and participation in collaborative programmes: Work with the R&T programme and commercial/military programmes to structure funding applications (R&T grants, investment aid, research tax credits, etc.) to maximise external financial support. Promote our integration into international defence/cooperation projects (EU, EDA, EDF, NATO programmes, bilateral partnerships) to strengthen our position on strategic programmes and develop new market opportunities.
- Network development and institutional partnerships: Build, nurture and grow a strong network of external relations (political decision-makers, public agency and organisation leaders, industrial partners, professional representatives) to strengthen our visibility and influence within our institutional environment. Maintain regular contact with key stakeholders (elected officials, programme administrators, funding agency leaders, etc.) to position us favourably in relevant public debates and decisions.
- Representing Safran Aero Boosters in external bodies: Actively represent us within relevant professional organisations, clusters, industry associations, think tanks and working groups, at regional, national and international level, and voice our positions on strategic topics (innovation, aeronautics, defence, public funding, regulation), in line with Safran Group's positions.
- Internal coordination and strategic alignment: Act as the interface between us and Safran Group on all institutional matters. Coordinate internally with the Strategy, Commercial & Programmes (DSCP), R&T/Innovation (DINNO), Finance, Legal and Communications departments to ensure an integrated, consistent approach. Work closely with the International Development and Institutional Relations Department (DIRI – Développement International et Relations Institutionnelles) of Safran Group to align our initiatives with Group strategy and best practices.
- Internal strategic support and advice: Provide our top management (and Group Management) with analyses and recommendations on the institutional environment (briefing notes, monitoring reports, funding opportunities). Prepare talking points and arguments aligned with Safran's positions for management's public engagements.
In addition
Your day-to-day contacts:
- Internally: You join the Strategy, Commercial & Programmes Department (DSCP) and work closely with the Programmes, R&T/Innovation, Finance, Legal and Communications teams. Safran Group is also a key partner, through the Group Public Affairs (DIRI), for exchanging information, validating positions taken and ensuring overall consistency.
- Externally: You are in contact with European institutions (Commission, Parliament, EU agencies), defence-related bodies (NATO, European Defence Agency, bilateral cooperation), Belgian public authorities (Walloon Region, federal entities) and international bodies, as well as industry associations and clusters in the sector. You are our face to these stakeholders: you build trusted relationships, represent our voice, and defend our interests and Safran Group's in every interaction.
Success indicators for this role:
- Effective influence / external contributions: You achieve tangible results with external bodies, for example on European or international R&D programmes, favourable regulatory developments for our activities, or our admission to a new consortium.
- Public funding secured: You secure a volume and success rate of public funding (grants, aid, co-financing) in line with set targets.
- Network development and visibility: You build institutional partnerships in both number and quality. You establish us as a recognised reference player on our topics, with positive feedback from public stakeholders and invitations to official consultations.
- Group alignment and compliance: You ensure there are no compliance incidents (no breaches of transparency and ethics rules). You also ensure the satisfaction of Safran Group's International Development and Institutional Relations Department (DIRI), maintaining a smooth flow of information and a positive contribution to Group initiatives in this area. Strict compliance with transparency requirements (HATVP/EU declarations) and application of Safran's charters remain an essential requirement.
✔Let's talk about you
Your technical skills:
- Education: You hold a Master's degree (Political Science, International Relations, Public Law, European Affairs or equivalent).
- Experience: You have confirmed experience (5 years or more) in institutional relations/public affairs, ideally within an international industrial group or an institution linked to the aeronautics/defence sectors. You are familiar with public funding mechanisms (European R&T programmes, regional aid, offsets) and the institutional environment in Europe and Belgium.
- Technical and institutional knowledge: You have a solid grasp of industrial policy, aeronautics/defence regulation and R&T issues. You have a strong command of the international institutional landscape (EU, NATO, Belgian and French public funding ecosystems). You have a good understanding of the business models and technical concepts of the aeronautics sector, needed to build your credibility, both internally and with external contacts. Knowledge of Safran's compliance charters and procedures or equivalent (responsible lobbying, ethics) is a plus for a quick start in the role.
- Languages: You are fluent in French, Dutch and English, both spoken and written (used daily in an international context). Knowledge of other EU or NATO languages is an asset.
Your soft skills:
- Excellent interpersonal skills: you easily and naturally build connections with people from all backgrounds.
- Big-picture thinking: you think strategically and across functions, and know how to navigate complex environments.
- Proactivity and entrepreneurial spirit: taking initiative and driving innovative projects motivates you. You go out, find opportunities and open doors.
- Communication & active listening: you adapt your communication style to your audience, at any level of the hierarchy, and are able to build relationships of trust.
- Resilience: you take a long-term view and know that out of ten opportunities identified, only one truly comes to fruition. Today's efforts will pay off tomorrow.
💼A few more details
What Safran Aero Boosters offers you:
- A permanent contract, to be filled as soon as possible
- A 36-hour working week, with 31 days of annual leave plus one additional day of leave for every 4 years of seniority (salaried staff)
- An attractive salary package including numerous benefits: meal vouchers, double holiday pay, home internet connection or smartphone subscription, 13th month bonus, CCT90, individual bonus, hospitalisation and group insurance.
- The possibility to work from home 1 to 2 days per week
👉What happens next?
- You apply because you believe you're the ideal person for this role!
- You will quickly be contacted by a Recruiter, for a more in-depth conversation.
- You will then have interviews with your management line to learn more about the role and the company.
- If it is a match ? Welcome aboard! 🤝
