Manager of Corporate Communications

Department Information

The Corporate Communications (CC) department is part of the Communications & External Affairs (C&EA) division, which also includes lobbying and stakeholder management, hospitality & events, marketing communications, and the online team. 

The CC department employs 15 dedicated and skilled professionals who are led by the Manager of Corporate Communications. The department is responsible for policy development, advising on, and supporting internal and external communications. The Corporate Communications department handles communications regarding topics important to the Port Authority, such as the energy transition, sustainability, digitalization, safety, and accessibility. And, of course, topics related to the safe and efficient handling of shipping traffic. 

What will you be doing?

Inspiring and coaching the employees in your department. You have final responsibility for the quality of the work delivered, you set priorities, and you are responsible for delivering the department’s projects. Together with your employees, you draw up the annual plans along with an annual budget, and you monitor the department’s budget. 

At the same time, you are a member of the C&EA department’s Management Team. You will work closely with the other managers on cross-departmental projects. You will also encourage collaboration between your employees and their colleagues in other departments. Finally, you will engage the network of communications professionals within the Port Industrial Complex, known as PR Active. 

Together with you, your team is responsible for: 

• Corporate Communication Strategy, Policy, and Consulting 
• Community outreach, including construction and project communication 
• The "Experience the Port" program, through which we introduce the general public to the port 
• Spokesperson and Public Relations 
• Reputation Management for the Port and the Port Authority 
• Crisis Communication and Issue Management 
• Internal communication 
• Labor Market Communication for the Port Authority.

What are we looking for in a candidate?

• A completed degree at the bachelor’s or associate’s level (preferably in Communication or Journalism). 
• At least 5 years of experience in corporate communications. Ideally, you have gained this experience in both the public and private sectors. 
• At least 3 years of recent experience leading a team of professionals in a complex organization with a wide range of stakeholders. 
• Experience with crisis communication. 
• Understanding of and experience with complex political and administrative relationships. 
• You have a strong understanding of political, social, administrative, and organizational issues. 
• You work well under pressure and don’t mind working outside of office hours from time to time. You’re a natural networker and skilled at building and maintaining a network. 
• You are an innovator, have the ability to take the initiative, a proactive attitude, and the ability to persuade others, and you inspire the team and your immediate colleagues. 
• You enjoy working with data to shape policy. 
• Fluency in spoken and written Dutch and English; German is a plus. 

What do we offer?

The estimated salary for this full-time position (36 hours) is €8,775 gross per month, depending on education and experience, and includes a personal flex budget of 19.6%; (comprising a vacation allowance (8%), thirteenth-month bonus (8.33%), wellness allowance (2.3%), and an additional budget of (0.97%). This amounts to an annual salary based on 36 hours of approximately €105,300.

You can have your accumulated personal flex budget paid out (in part) during your employment and/or use it to purchase a bicycle, make additional pension contributions to the ABP, buy additional leave hours, or offset training costs (to improve your job market position) or career counseling in a tax-efficient manner. 

In addition, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes a mobility budget (with the option of a company car) and pension contributions through the ABP Pension Fund (the Port of Rotterdam Authority operates an average-salary scheme, under which the employer covers approximately 70% of the contribution).

You will start with a one-year contract, which will be converted to a permanent position if your performance is satisfactory.

At the Port Authority, we have a hybrid work arrangement; you’ll be in the office at least 60% of the time. 

An assessment is part of the selection process.