Director, EU Public Affairs – Brussels

About the role

Shopify is seeking a senior leader to direct its EU Government Affairs work from Brussels. The role ensures that EU legislative decisions create a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and for Shopify’s platform, while shaping policy outcomes that affect merchants across Europe.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute Shopify’s EU government affairs and public policy strategy, placing company priorities at the centre of EU legislative debates.
• Serve as Shopify’s lead voice with the European Commission, European Parliament, Council, regulators, trade associations and industry peers.
• Oversee EU trade‑association memberships and external advisors to keep advocacy efforts aligned.
• Lead engagement on priority policy areas such as platform regulation, AI, payments, privacy, consumer protection, digital trade and emerging digital policy issues.
• Coordinate EU‑level advocacy with national‑government outreach, coalition building and consultation responses.
• Craft data‑driven policy narratives that translate merchant experience and market realities into messaging for EU institutions and the press.
• Create opportunities for policymakers to engage directly with Shopify’s merchant ecosystem.
• Anticipate regulatory trends, political risks and policy opportunities, and advise the executive team.
• Represent Shopify in public forums, conferences and high‑level engagements with senior officials.

Required profile

• Proven experience leading EU public policy or government affairs programmes.
• Deep knowledge of EU institutions, legislative processes and regulatory landscape.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage relationships with European Commission, Parliament, Council, regulators and trade associations.
• Experience coordinating EU‑wide and national‑level advocacy initiatives.
• Strong analytical skills to translate policy developments into strategic business recommendations.
• Excellent communication skills for briefing executives and representing the company publicly.

Required skills