Senior PR & Communications

Leyden Academy is led by an executive director, who, together with a diverse and dedicated team, works to realize the organization’s goals.

Leyden Academy is a flat organization with an informal culture, where commitment and professionalism are core values. The organization is constantly evolving, strives to be groundbreaking and innovative, and is ready for a modern PR and communications policy that aligns with these goals. Due to the departure of the current communications advisor, we are seeking a:

Senior PR and Communications;
is a hands-on strategist with innovative ideas and a way with words.

Challenges:
Leyden Academy’s activities are centered on a scientific approach with societal impact. We achieve this impact by taking a practical approach to the co-creation of knowledge and products together with older adults. We stay abreast of current events and aim to be leaders in our areas of expertise. Our work has significant news value, and it is essential to effectively communicate our research findings and insights to a broad audience. Science communication and journalism are therefore core tasks of Leyden Academy.

In recent years, we have laid a solid foundation for an engaging PR and communications strategy. Moving forward, we aim to embark on a process of renewal together with our new senior PR and communications lead, so that we can operate in the field of PR and communications in line with our values and remain a leader while staying attuned to developments in society. Part of this involves proactively responding to and developing a vision for the challenges in science communication and journalism in 2022. Today, communication goes far beyond simply informing the public and sharing facts. It is increasingly about two-way communication, with an eye for emotions, beliefs, and trust, so that people are truly moved by words and images.

Desired profile
As a senior PR and communications officer, you have a contemporary vision of science communication and journalism, and you know how to translate that into strategies to reach our target audiences. You are able to both convey the mission and vision of Leyden Academy as a whole and recognize the communicative value of individual projects. PR and communication are your field, and you take great pleasure in tapping into your media network and coming up with innovative ideas that will further put Leyden Academy on the map. You are curious, creative, and able to ask critical questions. You are eager to learn and quickly immerse yourself in the diverse topics our researchers are working on. You enjoy working in a small, flat organization (25–30 employees) where you are in charge of your own work and can make a difference. You switch effortlessly between tasks at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels. You’re not daunted by a full schedule with a wide range of tasks, such as developing a communications policy, drafting newsletters, liaising with the press, and advising colleagues.
You are dynamic, open, and approachable, and a true team player, interested in people and the target audience that gives the organization its raison d’être. You fulfill a core role for Leyden Academy and know how to inspire colleagues to work with you to take the PR and communications policy to the next level. You are visible and approachable, and serve as a sounding board for the management team and executive board.

Competencies:

• Strategic
• Curious
• Structured
• Self-motivated and proactive
• Stress-resistant

What do you have at home?

• You have an academic background and have proven yourself in the field of communications
• You have a knack for spotting PR opportunities and bring a relevant media network with you
• You have a way with words and know how to make complex topics accessible
• You can handle stress well and switch easily between different topics and activities
• You find it rewarding to cover the entire spectrum of communication
• You're a team player with a sense of humor

We prefer to hire a male colleague

What do we expect from you?

• Developing/revising a multi-year communication policy
• A sounding board and advisor for the management team and senior researchers
• Developing and implementing targeted communication plans for our projects and studies
• Generate publicity in news and trade media for our institute and our flagship projects
• Coaching your colleagues on their media appearances
• Contribute to the successful recruitment for our programs and courses
• Managing the communications officer

What do we offer?
You will be part of a close-knit team of socially-minded and results-driven professionals in a positive, informal work environment. This is a full-time (36-hour) position. Maximum salary: €6,753 (scale 13 of the UMC collective labor agreement).

Information and Application
Leyden Academy is working with the executive search firm Colourful People for this recruitment process. For more information about the position and the application process, please contact Hatice Türkmen, senior partner at Colourful People (06-46081232). You can upload your cover letter and resume (in PDF format) via the “Apply” button on the Colourful People website by April 15, 2022, at the latest.
The preliminary interviews are scheduled for April 20 and 21.