Vacancy: Policy Officer for International Affairs and Trade Policy, Washington, D.C

We are looking for a dynamic Policy Officer who will help drive DIGITALEUROPE’s international affairs and trade policy work from Washington, D.C. The role will support our growing U.S. presence and contribute to our work on transatlantic technology policy, digital trade, economic security, cyber resilience, critical infrastructure, defence, and dual-use technologies. 

DIGITALEUROPE has recently opened its Washington, D.C. office to strengthen transatlantic alignment on tech and Dual-use items, and deepen engagement with U.S. policymakers, member companies, embassies, partner associations, and international stakeholders. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to that work from the heart of the U.S. policy community, while working in close coordination with the Brussels headquarters. 

The Policy Officer will report to DIGITALEUROPE’s Senior Manager in Washington, D.C., while working closely with the international team in Brussels and with other policy teams across the organisation. The Policy Officer will help ensure that DIGITALEUROPE’s U.S. presence delivers value to members and supports the organisation’s wider international policy objectives. Only a proactive and collaborative team player can succeed in the role. 

The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in U.S.-EU relations, digital and trade policy, and the increasingly strategic role of technology in economic security, competitiveness, and resilience. Knowledge of cyber policy, export controls, dual-use technologies, critical infrastructure protection, defence innovation, or technology security frameworks will be an asset. 

This role will involve supporting the day-to-day work of the Washington office, regular monitoring of U.S. policy developments, support for stakeholder engagement, drafting of documents, presentations, briefings, minutes, and concise summaries, meeting preparation, and coordination between the Washington and Brussels teams. The position also offers the chance to engage with international policymakers and stakeholders on a regular basis, including U.S. officials, embassies, EU stakeholders, member companies. 

Key Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree is an asset; 
• 1 to 2 years of relevant experience in public policy, government affairs, international affairs, trade policy, law, economics, public policy, or a related field. Relevant internships may count toward this experience; 
• Strong interest in U.S.-EU relations, digital policy, international affairs, and trade policy;
• Interest in the intersection between technology, security, competitiveness, and geopolitics;
• Knowledge of, or strong interest in, cyber policy, critical infrastructure protection, defence innovation, export controls, dual-use technologies, or economic security;
• Ability tomonitorU.S. and international policy developments and identify issues of relevance to DIGITALEUROPE and its members early; 
• Strong analytical and research skills, with excellent attention to detail;
• Excellent drafting, editing, and proofreading skills in English;
• Ability to prepare high-quality briefings, meeting notes, summaries, and input for policy papers and advocacy materials;
• Highly organised, proactive, and able to manage deadlines and follow-up independently;
• Professional, reliable, and comfortable working with internal and external stakeholders;
• Ability to work in a small, fast-paced office environment while coordinating closely with colleagues in Brussels;
• Proficiencyin English, both written and oral. 

Valuable Additional Qualifications: 

• Experience in a trade association, public affairs environment, government office, think tank, international organisation, or corporate policy team; 
• Familiarity with U.S. policymaking, Congress, federal agencies, or the Washington policy community;
• Familiarity with EU institutions and EU digital, trade, or security policy;
• Understanding of technology policy issues such as AI, cybersecurity, cloud, semiconductors, secure connectivity, data, defence technology, or critical infrastructure resilience;
• Experience supporting stakeholder engagement, events, missions, or policy meetings;
• Ability to translate complex policy developments into concise written updates;
• Strong interpersonal skills and sound judgment;
• Knowledge of another European languagewould be an asset; and
• Strong presentation skills, including confidence engaging with members, colleagues, and external stakeholders.

What we offer: 

DIGITALEUROPE is one of Europe’s leading trade associations, with a growing international footprint. We foster a collaborative culture where every team member can identify their strengths and grow in their career. We encourage taking initiative. 

This role offers a unique opportunity to help build DIGITALEUROPE’s new Washington presence and contribute directly to transatlantic digital and trade policy. The successful candidate will gain hands-on exposure to international policy work, member engagement, stakeholder outreach, and the strategic policy issues shaping the future of technology, trade, security, and competitiveness. 

Salary range: USD $45,000–$50,000 gross per year. 

Healthcare benefits are available for this role through DIGITALEUROPE’s U.S. Employer of Record arrangement. Other employment benefits will be provided in line with the applicable EOR employment package in compliance with U.S./D.C. employment requirements. Further details will be shared during the recruitment process. 

Why join us:  

At DIGITALEUROPE, you will work at the intersection of technology, policy, business, and geopolitics. You will contribute to shaping the transatlantic digital agenda. 

This is an opportunity to work on some of the most important policy questions of the decade: how Europe and the U.S. cooperate on critical technologies, how digital innovation supports security and resilience, how trade and technology rules shape competitiveness, and how the private sector can contribute to a secure and open transatlantic market. 

You will be joining a fast-growing organisation with strong policy impact, access to members and stakeholders, and the opportunity to take early responsibility in a new and strategically important office. 

Contact & Application Process:  

Interested candidates should send a CV and a short motivation letter via this application form. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Early applications are encouraged. Based on the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. The expected starting date is as soon as possible. 

Applicants must be legally authorised to work in the United States by the start date. DIGITALEUROPE does not sponsor work authorization for this role. 

For any questions, please contact Federica Tondo at federica.tondo@digitaleurope.org