Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets. We are more than 36,000 people, in over 70 countries, dedicated toimproving quality of life. Reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer, this role creates dynamic and impactful external communications strategies that have a direct influence on Arcadis' profile and reputation with external stakeholders, including the media, clients, partner organizations, stakeholders, and third-party influencers. This is a leadership role, providing strategic guidance and counsel to key stakeholders, directing all external communications, and partnering with Investor Relations to have a material impact on share price and market performance. In addition, the role will head up a core team of external communications professionals who can align messaging on major projects and ensure a consistent and reliable narrative to our external audiences. This role works in partnership with the Global Internal Communications Director to align internal and external communications as a Corporate Communications Centre of Excellence.
Two direct reports (Global External Communications Manager and External Communications Director, Netherlands) plus management of PR agencies.
To lead a dedicated, agile team of external communications professionals to coordinate external messaging and implement external communications plans around major projects and significant business announcements working in partnership with the Global Internal Communications Director and keeping the Marketing & Communications functional leaders informed.
To enhance and protect Arcadis' corporate reputation, including providing strategic advice on crisis and reputation management and ensuring that processes are in place and regularly tested.
To play an integral role in shaping the overall strategic direction of Arcadis globally in corporate communications.
To oversee the development of newsworthy Arcadis content, including press releases, corporate content and related collateral, interview opportunities, opinions, viewpoints, case studies, and other related materials.
Supported by the Global External Communications Manager, to work closely with the GBA Communications Directors and Country Marketing & Communications leaders to identify and leverage in-country stories globally and execute media opportunities for global spokespeople locally.
To provide advice and coaching to senior management, ensuring they are prepared to deal with the media and any written content is in line with Arcadis' view.
Routinely audit communications channels, tactics, and define processes and procedures to ensure consistency of Arcadis's approach to external communications globally.
To provide editorial direction and oversight across all written content, ensuring consistency of Arcadis' tone of voice and brand messaging.
Media / Corporate Communications
Produce high-quality written media and associated content.
Support senior leadership in scouting, preparing, and managing media opportunities such as interviews.
Media and social media monitoring, supported by the Global External Communications Manager.
Co-manage Arcadis' direct, day-to-day relationships with international and (global) trade journalists, ensuring Arcadis is the go-to commentator on key themes.
Support the development of digital content that delivers increasing levels of engagement across key external audiences.
Improve the visibility of the Arcadis brand in line with clear deliverables and measures.
Content Creation
Provide strategic communications counsel for Global leadership, writing or approving messages, talking points, scripts, presentations, etc.
Work together with the Marketing CoE and Country teams to translate campaigns and client (project) case studies into relevant, newsworthy content, targeting key audience groups across various Arcadis platforms.
Oversee content pipeline and work with the GBA Communications Directors to co-produce external communications content (viewpoints, campaigns, whitepapers) for use across Global channels.
Provide editorial oversight of all written content to ensure consistency of brand, message, and tone of voice.
We are looking for an all-round communications leader. In a fast-paced international environment, you will be able to work with a professional marketing communications community and senior company leadership, to achieve the ambitious goals of a growing organization. Extensive experience of corporate communications and content creation experience either in-house or agency.
Communications skills – high quality of written and oral communication; A curious mind that understands business – ability to translate commercial business goals into ideas that can generate publicity.
Proven track record in producing content that has generated high-quality media coverage in trade and national media.
Strong interest in social media and professional experience in creating content for use on social channels (organic and paid).
Business skills - experience in liaising with senior business executives and other internal stakeholders, strong business acumen, ability to provide a strategic link between communications activities, brand and business goals.
Working internationally, across different industries and business lines and / or functions, managing projects impacting people / issues / solutions across organizational boundaries.
People management : Embracing new workforce profiles and planning approaches, attracting and developing talent, leveraging talent in different markets, catalyzing a movement.
Proactively, supporting communities and social initiatives, and showing attention for the planet and sustainability.