Head of Communications

Are you a strategically strong communications manager who wants to make an impact, together with your team, in an organisation that contributes to global challenges in the areas of food, climate and biodiversity? Someone who moves effortlessly between vision and execution, with experience in leading communications around complex societal themes? Then this role might be just right for you.

As Head of Communications, you are responsible for the communications strategy of the Animal Sciences Group (ASG) and you lead a team of communications and marketing professionals. You set a clear course, encourage professional development within the team, and translate complex societal issues into effective communication. You move easily between strategic advice, organisational development and day-to-day practice. You are a sparring partner for the General Director when it comes to positioning ASG both within and outside the WUR organisation.

Through its research and education, the Animal Sciences Group (ASG) aims to provide answers to urgent societal questions around Animal-Worthy Livestock Farming, Biodiversity and Health for all life. Knowledge of, or affinity with, the themes ASG works on is an important plus.

Your tasks and responsibilities: 

• you will develop and implement effective internal and external communication strategies aimed at increasing the organisation’s reach and visibility;
• you will act as an advisor and sparring partner to the management team, carefully weighing  internal and external interests;
• you will work with your team to strengthen the communicative power of employees and management, among other things by encouraging and organising dialogue;
• you keep track of relevant developments in the field and translate these to the organisation;
• you give direction to communications around urgent societal themes, such as animal-worthy livestock farming, (marine) biodiversity, or nitrogen and climate issues, and health for all life;
• you maintain and develop a relevant internal and external network;
• you hold ultimate responsibility for a well-functioning communications department, and for leading and (further) developing the communications team of three staff members;
• you are a connecting link between the ASG knowledge unit and WUR's central communications department, sharing responsibility for WUR's communications and marketing strategy.

You report to the ASG management and have a functional reporting line to the business unit managers of three research institutes and to the operations manager of the Department of Animal Sciences. You are part of ASG's team of staff heads.

In addition, you have a functional reporting line to WUR's Director of Corporate Communications. You contribute to WUR's communications and marketing strategy as a member of the WUR-wide Strategic Marketing & Communications Team, where you collaborate with other communications and marketing leaders.

You will work here 

The Animal Sciences Group (ASG) is part of Wageningen University & Research and works on animal welfare in sustainable production systems, on the health of humans and animals in interaction with one another, and on the role and function of animals in biodiversity and ecosystems. As a nationally and internationally leading research institute in the field of animal sciences, ASG takes a proactive role in tackling problems where insights from animal sciences are crucial. ASG comprises the following units: the Department of Animal Sciences (DDW) at Wageningen University, with twelve chair groups, and three Wageningen Research institutes: Bioveterinary Research (WBVR); Livestock Research (WLR) and Marine Research (WMR). ASG’s organisational units are spread across the Netherlands. 

At ASG, both fundamental and applied research is carried out, and innovative solutions are developed. That we do this well is reflected not only in international rankings, in which ASG and WUR consistently rank among the world's best, but also in the fact that you continually see and hear Wageningen experts in the media on topics of great societal importance.

Your team

The Communications & Marketing team of ASG consists of communications and marketing advisors at various locations. The team works closely with, among others, an online director, a central editorial team, press officers and content creators who are part of the corporate C&M department. Together, they are responsible for formulating the (marketing) communications strategy and for developing, coordinating and delivering all internal and external (marketing) communications activities for ASG — all in line with WUR's communications and marketing strategy.

You have a strong personality and are able to bring change. You are innovative, know how to inspire and engage people, and encourage a way of working in which employees feel involved and actively carry that spirit forward.

You also possess: 

• at least 10 years of relevant experience  in the communications field, including several years in a leadership role;
• a completed bachelor's or master's degree in communications, ideally supplemented with relevant management courses and/or leadership training;
• affinity with ‘the green living environment’ and knowledge of the markets in which ASG operates;
• a clear and contemporary vision of communication (policy);
• a results-oriented and proactive approach, with a keen eye for where communication can make the greatest strategic impact;
• organisational and environmental sensitivity. You are a conversation partner for professionals across various disciplines and have a well-developed sense of potentially conflicting (societal) interests.
• experience within an academic context is a plus;
• a coaching style as a people manager, focused on collaboration and connection, a ‘hands-on’ mentality; you are resilient under pressure and excel at switching between different levels;
• excellent command of both Dutch and English, in speaking and writing;
• knowledge and understanding of processes within large, complex organisations.

In our international working environment, more and more communication takes place in English. For this role, the required language level is C2. If you don't yet have this level, we will of course help you, and you can turn to our language centre, Wageningen in'to Languages.

A you can see that there are plenty of challenges ahead for you. These challenges can also be viewed as opportunities for development. So, even if you do not yet have the track record requested in the vacancy, but you do have solid work experience, we would still very much like to encourage you to apply.

Within Wageningen University & Research, there is also a similar vacancy within the Plant Sciences Group (PSG), focusing on communications relating to plant sciences and related topics. Both roles form part of the wider communications structure at WUR and work closely together where topics overlap.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8,3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between € 5,294.- and € 7,906.- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 13). Additionally, for this role a contract for 32 hours can be discussed. As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended - if possible within (company) organizational circumstances – on good performance.

We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

You'll work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working atmosphere.

Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. If you come with a partner, we offer a Dual Career group program organized by our Welcome Center. This program helps your partner to get familiar with the Dutch culture, labour market and assists your partner to find a job.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

Within Wageningen University & Research, there is also a similar vacancy within the Plant Sciences Group (PSG), focusing on communications relating to animal sciences and related topics. Both roles form part of the wider communications structure at WUR and work closely together where topics overlap.

For more information about the position, please contact Menno van Manen, Director of Operations, by email: menno.vanmanen@wur.nl.

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Ine van’t Land, Corporate Recruiter, by email: ine.vantland@wur.nl.

Ready to apply?

Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

You can apply up to and including Monday 31 August, 2026. 

We review applications on a rolling basis, including before the closing date. As a result, the vacancy may close earlier than indicated.

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

​The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

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