Are you a strategically strong communications manager who can effortlessly switch between vision and execution, and do you have experience in managing communications relating to complex social issues?
As Head of Communications, you will be responsible for Plant Science Group (PSG) communications strategy and will lead a team of communications and marketing professionals. You will set a clear direction, encourage professional development within the team and translate complex social issues into effective communications. You move easily between strategic advice, organisational development and day-to-day practice. You act as a sparring partner for the Managing Director on positioning PSG within and outside the WUR organisation.
Through its research and education, the Plant Sciences Group (PSG) aims to provide answers to urgent societal issues surrounding sustainable food supply, biodiversity and plant health. Knowledge of or an affinity with the themes in which PSG is active is a significant advantage. Themes will be prioritiised in close collaboration with the organisation. We are therefore looking for someone who carefully balances interests, makes decisions, and operates effectively within the complex WUR organisation.
Your duties and responsibilities include:
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you will develop and implement effective internal and external communication strategies aimed at increasing the organisation’s reach and visibility;
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you will act as an advisor and sparring partner to the management team, carefully balancing internal and external interests;
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you will work with the team to strengthen the communication skills of staff and management, including by encouraging and organising dialogue;
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you keep abreast of relevant developments in the field and translate these into the organisation;
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you provide direction for communication on urgent social issues, such as climate change, biodiversity, food supply and the nitrogen crisis;
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you maintain and develop a relevant internal and external network;
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you have overall responsibility for the smooth running of the communications department, and for managing and developing the communications team of six colleugues;
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you act as a link between the PSG knowledge unit and WUR’s central communications department and share responsibility for WUR’s communications and marketing strategy.
You will work here
At PSG, both fundamental and applied research are conducted, and innovative solutions are developed. That we do this successfully is evident not only from international rankings in which PSG and WUR consistently rank among the world’s leading institutions, but also from the constant presence of Wageningen experts in the media, where they comment on issues of major societal importance.
Your team
You will report to the PSG management team and have a functional reporting line to the Director of Corporate Communications & Markting at WUR. You will contribute to WUR’s communication and marketing strategy as a member of the WUR-wide Strategic Marketing & Communications Team, where you will work alongside other communication and marketing managers. Your team consists of six staff members.
You have a strong personality and are capable of driving change. You are innovative, know how to inspire and engage people, and foster a working culture in which staff feel involved and actively promote this.
You also possess:
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at least 10 years’ relevant experience in the communications sector, including several years in a managerial role;
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a completed higher professional education (HBO) or university (WO) degree in communications, possibly supplemented by specific management courses and/or leadership training;
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an affinity with ‘the green living environment’ and knowledge of the markets in which PSG operates;
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a clear and contemporary vision of communication (policy);
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experience in communication and marketing, including internal communication, and know how to effectively use digital channels and platforms.
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results-oriented and proactive, with a keen eye for where communication can have the greatest strategic impact;
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organisational and environmental sensitivity. You are a discussion partner for professionals in various disciplines and have a well-developed sense of potentially conflicting (social) interests. You are able to connect people and organizational units within WUR and you are willing to make decisions where necessary. Preferably, you have experience in an academic context;
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a coaching style as a people manager, focused on collaboration and connection, a ‘hands-on’ mentality, and you are resilient under pressure and highly capable of switching between different levels;
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an excellent command of Dutch and English, both spoken and written;
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knowledge and insight into processes within large, complex organisations. In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English.
In our international working environment, communication is increasingly taking place in English. For this role, is a language level of C2 required.
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 Animal Sciences Group (ASG), with a focus on communication related to animal sciences and associated themes. Both roles are part of the wider WUR communications structure and work closely together where thematic areas overlap.
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
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working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
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sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
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there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
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a fixed year-end bonus of 8,3%;
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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.
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 Animal Sciences Group (ASG), 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 Berend Geurts, Director of Operations, via email: [email protected].
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Ine van’t Land, Corporate Recruiter, via email: [email protected].
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 August 10 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.
