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Lead Institutional Relations Manager

Type of Selection:  Internal and External
Contract Type:  Temporary agent
Grade:  AD08
Deadline for application:  18/07/2025
Experience Level:  Professional
Approx. number of candidates on reserve list:  5
Location:  Cologne, Germany
Monthly gross compensation (€):  8,651.92 - 9,015.49

Our employees are our most valuable asset. We therefore offer a wide range of benefits.

 

EASA is the leading aviation authority in Europe. A career at EASA means contributing to our vision for an ever safer and greener civil aviation. As an EASA employee, you will be making a difference to the lives of about 500 million fellow Europeans: this is our shared purpose and it could be yours, too. From our headquarters in Cologne, Germany, you will work with top experts in a multicultural work environment. Diversity and Inclusion are part of our DNA and innovation is at the heart of what we do. We ensure that aviation is safe in all phases: beginning with the certification of the aircraft to the rules for the air operation and crew. For more information about the Agency please consult our website and take a look at our organisation structure. Are you interested to contribute to our mission? Then see below what it takes to accomplish the role.

We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to diversity and non-discrimination. To further enhance the diversity of our workforce, we particularly encourage applications from female candidates. 

Job Overview

Coordinate and oversee efforts across the Agency on the negotiation, implementation, and management of institutional cooperation agreements. Ensure alignment with EU aviation safety objectives, provide strategic advice to senior management on institutional matters/aviation agreements, fostering synergies between international representation, technical cooperation, and institutional agreements. Acting as a central point for cross-departmental and cross-regional coordination, this role ensures that international relations are managed strategically, efficiently, and in a legally sound manner.

General Accountabilities

  • Cross-Departmental & Regional Coordination: Facilitate a horizontal approach to institutional cooperation. Ensure interconnectivity across regions and technical domains. Influence the cross-departmental engagement to align institutional cooperation with operational and strategic objectives.
  • Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement: Ensure the achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs) related to international agreements. Implement continuous improvements in negotiation processes, agreement execution, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Engage with internal and external stakeholders to ensure clear communication, alignment of expectations, and positioning of the Agency in international institutional matters.
  • Coaching: Guide and mentor internal stakeholders involved in institutional relations. Foster knowledge-sharing in international cooperation and inter-institutional processes.

Specific Accountabilities

  • Institutional Relations Management: Oversee the development and execution of institutional agreements and arrangements with foreign aviation authorities, ensuring smooth collaboration and alignment with EU aviation safety priorities.
  • Strategic Advisory & Policy Coordination: Provide senior management and the European Commission with strategic advice on institutional cooperation matters, policy initiatives, and agreement implementation. Identify key opportunities and risks related to international cooperation.
  • Lead Negotiations: Act as the main negotiator for the most complex and critical institutional files, lead and support negotiations on working arrangements and cooperation instruments. Represent the Agency in committees under EU aviation agreements and coordinate input to European Commission negotiations.
  • Regulatory Guidance: Advise on the relevant regulatory parameters governing institutional relations, ensuring compliance while identifying areas for flexibility within the existing reagulatory frameworks.

Admission Criteria

The following constitute eligibility and essential criteria for the role and for being admitted to the selection process. Candidates not fulfilling these criteria by the deadline for applications, will be excluded from the selection:

  • Have a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the European Union (at least level C1) and a satisfactory knowledge of another language of the EU to the extent necessary for the performance of the duties (at least level B2). One of the required languages shall be English[1]
  • Be a national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
  • At least a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is 4 years in the area of Business or Public Administration, European Studies / EU Affairs, Political Science, International or European Law, in technical areas related to aviation or other disciplines related to the role and, after having obtained the university degree, at least 9 years of professional experience in line with the described accountabilities

    or

    At least a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is 3 years in the areas as described above and, after having obtained the university degree, at least 10 years of professional experience in line with the described accountabilities

 

This vacancy is open as well to Temporary Agents 2(f) employed at EASA, or other EU institutions in the grade bracket AD7-AD12

 

[1] Mother tongue English speakers will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of a second EU language. English oral and written skills will be assessed throughout the assessment phase

Selection Criteria

The selection process is based on the assessment of the professional skills and competences listed below. While these are considered essential for performing the role effectively, candidates who do not meet all criteria may still be considered.

Professional Skills

Relationship Management
Regional geopolitical situation and the foreign aviation system
International relations & representation
Global and European Aviation regulatory and standardisation framework, including key players and their responsibilities
Experience in developing and negotiating international aviation agreements and arrangements
Strong understanding of regulatory developments and strategic dynamics in relations with key international aviation partners
Familiarity with European Commission and EASA procedures for managing aviation relations with third countries and foreign authorities

Behavioural Competences

Flexibility & Change Adaptability
Stakeholder Orientation
Communication
Managing Ambiguity
Conceptual Thinking

Conditions of Employment

Contract: 5 years contract as Temporary Agent 2 (f) with possibility of extension. 

Working hours: 40 hrs per week (on a full-time working pattern). Flexible working arrangements.

Salary: Basic salary: EUR 8,651.92 - 9,015.49 depending on work experience. Additional allowances depending on personal situation.

Location: Cologne, Germany (relocation is required). 

Application & Selection Process

How to apply

We can only accept applications that are submitted in English through our Recruiting tool. Before sending your application, make sure it is complete and contains the document(s) specified in the vacancy notice. Before submitting your application, ensure that your candidate profile, all the fields and answers to the pre-screening questions are correct. You may review and amend data demonstrating compliance with the eligibility and selection criteria only until the closing date of applications for the respective selecion procedure.

For further information take a look at How we hire. In case of questions or technical issues, email us at recruit@easa.europa.eu. Attach a description and screenshot of the error. 

To check if you are meeting the minimum education qualifications required for the job, consult the information published by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO): Examples of minimum qualifications

Important note on diplomas obtained outside the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland or Norway: If your application is found eligible on the basis of diploma(s) obtained outside these countries, we might ask you to provide proof of accreditation by one of the European Union Member States. This applies also to diplomas obtained in the UK after 31 December 2020.

Make sure you are meeting the language requirements: Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and assess your language skills. Language certificates are not required at the stage of application, unless specified in the vacancy.

Selection Process

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted via E-mail. If your application has been rejected following the initial screening, the status in your candidate profile will be automatically updated to "Not admitted". Invitations to the shortlisted candidates are sent once the evaluation of applications is completed (this may take up to two months after expiry of the deadline to apply). Pre-selection exercises, online tests and interviews with the Selection Board usually take place remotely. If you are not selected for this position but are still considered suitable, you will be placed on a reserve list from which you might be considered for similar positions within EASA. Learn more about our Selection and Onboarding process. Take a look also at our comprehensive information on Benefits, get to know Our people and find out what Life in Cologne is like.

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