Job description

Agency applications will not be considered

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.

Role purpose
The policy advisor will join A&O Shearman's EU policy task force in Brussels. It acts as the firm's ears and eyes on the ground in Brussels: anticipating regulatory shifts across different sectors and policy areas, cutting through the noise, joining the dots across practices, and turning policy intelligence into practical, client-centric advice. Its work spans policy horizon scanning, internal and client-facing publications, events, training, and tailored client advisory.
The policy advisor will contribute across different policy areas, with a particular focus on financial services, including banking, asset management, digital finance and sustainable finance.

Key relationships

CE head of knowledge
EU policy manager and EU policy advisor
Knowledge lawyers
CE office knowledge heads
Global knowledge heads
Head of CE BD
Head of global library and research
Campaign and contents team

What you will do
Policy intelligence and horizon scanning

You track, analyse and anticipate EU legislative and regulatory developments relevant to our lawyers and clients, with a particular focus on financial services.
You contribute to the Task Force's regular intelligence products, distilling key policy developments, regulatory signals and their strategic implications for the firm and its clients.
You support the A&O Shearman lawyers in providing timely, insightful and forward-looking analysis rather than isolated updates.

Client-facing advisory

You draft client updates and alerts on regulatory developments, tailored to client sectors or specific topics.
You prepare bespoke policy briefings and intelligence to support client meetings and pitches.
You contribute to client webinars and events.
Training and capability building
You support internal training for lawyers across the firm's EU and global offices, on various EU policy topics.
You contribute to external training sessions with clients and prospects.

Network building and external engagement

You proactively build and grow a network around key topics, engaging with policymakers, industry experts, trade associations and clients to stay informed and share insights.
You support the firm's engagement with business associations, including through working groups, and identifying speaking opportunities.
You contribute to the Task Force's external visibility through thought leadership and flagship external products.

Cross-practice and cross-regional collaboration

You work closely with lawyers across practice groups and regions to help clients anticipate regulatory change and to turn EU policy intelligence into client opportunities across the firm's global network.
You collaborate closely with the business development, knowledge and campaign functions to achieve the firm's strategic goals.
You contribute to the smooth functioning of the firm's EU law community, including its internal knowledge hub, and build up your own knowledge and experience in key topics.

Who we are looking for

You hold a degree or higher in law, international affairs, public affairs, political science, economics or related field.
You have at least 3-4 years of relevant professional experience, preferably within an EU institution or the EU public affairs industry.
Experience in EU financial services (such as banking, asset management, digital finance, or sustainable finance) is a strong advantage.
You possess a strong understanding of EU law, policymaking, and the EU legislative process.
You have a near-native level of English (additional EU languages are a plus).
You have proven experience drafting clear and concise reports and materials.
You are comfortable leveraging AI tools to support monitoring, analysis, knowledge sharing, and content production.
You are a proactive self-starter with a strong learning mindset and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
You have excellent networking, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to develop trusted relationships internally and externally.
You have a client-centric mindset and can translate complex policy developments into practical advice.
You are a highly effective communicator, both orally and in writing.
You possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, enabling you to assess competing priorities and develop structured solutions.
You are highly organised and capable of coordinating and delivering projects across multiple teams and stakeholders.
You thrive in a fast-paced, intellectually demanding environment and perform effectively under pressure and tight deadlines.
You demonstrate resilience, professionalism, and the ability to build credibility and trust over time.

What we can offer you

a competitive salary
flexible benefits via a flex income plan (e.g. extra holidays, bike lease, insurances)
full public transport reimbursement and additional commuting allowances
a hybrid working model with homeworking allowance and full IT equipment
meal vouchers of 10€/day
an iPhone with subscription
overtime compensation
extensive learning and development programmes, coaching and language training
a full insurance package:
- comprehensive health coverage including hospitalisation for you and your family
- life, pension, accident and disability insurance
- business travel insurance.

In addition, we offer a work environment designed to support both performance and wellbeing:

We provide a modern, purpose-designed office space, with a mix of collaborative areas and quiet working zones.
We offer technology and infrastructure that support flexible and hybrid working.
We have an in-house café with a barista.
We provide access to a gym and optional personal training.
We organise regular social events and team activities, fostering a strong community culture.
We support flexible and hybrid working arrangements, depending on business needs and team requirements.

Application process
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and welcome applications from all eligible candidates.

We invite you to submit your application via the online tool available on our careers website (www.aoshearman.com/careers). Please note that applications submitted by email or via an agency will not be considered.

To support your application, kindly upload your CV and cover letter (in English). Only complete application files can be taken into consideration.

As part of our recruitment process, and in order to comply with our legal obligations and internal policies, we require successful candidates to undergo a background screening. The screening also involves providing information on your criminal history through a separate private statement. We will only process information that is necessary and relevant to the position you are applying for. Access to this statement will be strictly limited to the local recruitment officer responsible for your application. Your background screening data will be deleted at the latest six months after receipt. Please see our data privacy notice for more details. If you have any questions, feel free to contact HRBelgium@aoshearman.com.

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