EU Policy Analyst

Position description

Osborne Clarke is an international full-service law firm with a strong focus on technology and innovation, with 26 offices in 13 different countries, spread over 3 continents, with more than 2.600 lawyers and employees.

As part of Osborne Clarke International’s 2030 Strategy, the firm is establishing a Brussels‑based centre of expertise for EU competition and regulatory legal advice, designed to lift the EU law profile of the whole international firm and provide a one‑stop gateway to the EU’s capital for clients worldwide.

Role overview

Osborne Clarke International is looking for a Senior Policy Analyst to join its new Brussels Hub. Based in Brussels, you will be a core member of the international EU team, working closely with colleagues across our offices and sectors.

The core focus of the role is to monitor, analyse and explain EU policy and legislative developments, turning complex and fast‑moving EU initiatives into clear, business‑oriented insights for Osborne Clarke’s lawyers and clients internationally. You will help ensure that Osborne Clarke and its clients are “ahead of the curve” on key EU trends affecting our flagship sectors, with a primary focus on Digital/TMT (technology, media and telecoms) and, where relevant, their intersections with Life Sciences, Energy and other sectors.

Working at the intersection of EU policy, law and business, you will conduct EU policy analysis and horizon scanning and provide strategic EU policy support to internal teams and directly to clients, including through client meetings, presentations and thought leadership, across the Osborne Clarke International network.

Key responsibilities

1. EU policy monitoring, analysis and insight generation

• Systematically monitor EU policy and legislative developments across the EU institutions (Commission, Parliament, Council and other relevant EU bodies), with a primary focus on Digital/technology, data and AI, and with an additional coverage of Energy, Life sciences, other core/growth sectors for Osborne Clarke, and where relevant, competition initiatives;
• Maintain structured monitoring tools and processes (e.g. trackers, calendars, alerts) to follow forthcoming initiatives and roadmaps, key milestones (consultations, impact assessments, committee debates, trilogues, delegated acts) and political, institutional and stakeholder dynamics;
• Prepare concise, well‑structured briefings on EU initiatives, explaining the policy context, key legal elements, timelines and business implications for Osborne Clarke’s international client base;
• Identify and flag cross cutting trends and “early signals” of regulatory change relevant to Osborne Clarke’s sectors, feeding into strategic discussions and client conversations.

2. Client-facing policy advisory, support for client work, know-how and business development

• Work closely with partners and associates across Osborne Clarke’s offices to support client mandates with background research, policy context and, participate directly in client meetings where EU policy input is required;
• Join and support client pitches, proposal meetings and capability presentations, helping to articulate Osborne Clarke’s EU policy and regulatory offering, particularly in the Digital/TMT space;
• Work closely with international Business Development and sector teams to align monitoring with client and sector priorities, and to provide content for pitches, capability statements and client proposals;
• Design and deliver internal and client-facing briefings and training sessions (virtual and in‑person) on EU law‑making, institutional processes and key ongoing legislative files, with a focus on digital and technology‑related regulation;
• Help translate horizon scanning and tracking of EU developments into client-ready products and services, such as tailored briefings, impact assessments, implementation roadmaps and sector‑specific updates;
• Contribute to and, where appropriate, lead thought leadership and market visibility initiatives for the Brussels Hub and Osborne Clarke more broadly (client alerts, newsletters, blog posts, webinars, seminars and events).

3. Data, tools and tech‑enabled insights (asset but not core requirement)

• Use digital tools, databases and (where relevant) AI‑enabled solutions to structure monitoring activities and, where appropriate, visualise timelines, stakeholder maps and regulatory “heat maps”;
• Support the development of tech‑enabled products (e.g. implementation trackers, dashboards, alerts) that help clients navigate major EU regulatory packages, in particular in the Digital/TMT space.

Beyond core responsibilities, the Policy Analyst will also:

• Play a key role in supporting and shaping the Brussels Hub as Osborne Clarke International’s centre of expertise for EU regulatory and competition matters, working closely with the Operational Lead, Brussels‑based partners and international colleagues;
• Manage the collection, structuring and proactive distribution of EU policy know‑how (briefings, trackers, updates), so that relevant colleagues and teams across the network receive timely, targeted insights and are not dependent only on ad‑hoc requests;
• Proactively manage and nurture relationships with international lawyers and sector leads within the Osborne Clarke network, ensuring EU policy insights are shared and translated into cross border opportunities;
• Track and share relevant events in and around Brussels (conferences, hearings, stakeholder meetings, roundtables) and help identify opportunities for Osborne Clarke lawyers to attend, speak or host, in coordination with Business Development and sector teams;
• Contribute to thought leadership and communication (client alerts, newsletters, blog posts, webinars, seminars and events);
• Help build a strong internal network across Osborne Clarke’s international offices and sector groups, and support colleagues from other offices who spend time in Brussels to make the most of the EU regulatory environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in EU studies, political science, international relations, economics or law (a legal background is an asset but not strictly required);
• Ideally 8-10 years of relevant experience in EU affairs, such as:
  • EU institutions (e.g. European Parliament, EU Commission);
  • Trade association or business federations;
  • Consultancy/public affairs firm;
  • Think-tank or NGO working on EU policy;
  • Law firms with a strong EU and regulatory focus.
• Proven expertise in EU Digital/TMT policy and regulation (e.g. technology, data and AI, platforms, online services, telecoms), and a solid understanding of how these frameworks impact business models and markets. Exposure to other Osborne Clarke flagship sectors (Life Sciences, Energy) or EU competition law is a strong asset;
• Solid understanding of:
  • The EU institutional set up and legislative processes;
  • How EU policy and regulation impact businesses and markets, ideally with exposure to at least one of Osborne Clarke’s flagship sectors (Digital/TMT, Life Sciences, Energy).
• Strong analytical and drafting skills, with the ability to:
  • Read and digest complex policy and legal documents;
  • Extract the key messages and practical implications for non-specialist audiences (both lawyers and clients).
• Demonstrated experience in engaging directly with clients or external stakeholders (e.g. corporate clients, industry associations, regulators), including presenting complex policy topics in a clear, business‑relevant way;
• Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken); French and/or Dutch are a strong asset; other EU languages (e.g. German) are a plus;
• Comfortable working with multiple sources and information flows; rigorous and methodical in research, referencing and quality control;
• Organised and proactive, able to manage multiple topics and deadlines simultaneously in a fast moving environment;
• A genuine interest in working closely with lawyers, knowledge professionals and business development teams, and in evolving at the interface of EU policy, law and business strategy;
• Team-oriented and collaborative, with a positive, solution driven mindset and the confidence to engage with colleagues at all seniority levels and in different jurisdictions.

Application instructions

Please send your CV and motivational letter.