Senior Marketing & Communications Advisor

at  Wageningen University Research

WOULD YOU LIKE TO WORK FOR A LEADING INTERNATIONAL KNOWLEDGE INSTITUTION AND DO YOU VALUE MAKING A SOCIETAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT? ARE YOU FLUENT IN DUTCH AND ENGLISH AND ARE YOU A SEASONED PROFESSIONAL IN MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION? THEN READ ON!

We are looking for a Senior Marketing & Communications Advisor.
You will be working for the research institute Food and Biobased Research, part of Wageningen University & Research (WUR). Here, we conduct research on the design and redesign of production chains, optimal use of biomass, reducing food loss and waste, and promoting a more plant-based diet. This way, we develop sustainable, healthy, and alternative food products, and scientifically establish the relationships between health and nutrition. Additionally, we seek solutions to switch to circular and biobased resources for our products and materials. This will reduce our future reliance on fossil resources.

Your tasks and responsibilities include:

• you are responsible for the marketing and communication strategy (development and execution) for various programs and projects in the fields of food technology, food quality, biobased and circular applications;
• you contribute to further strengthening the position of the research domains with relevant stakeholders both nationally and internationally. You do this by drafting marketing and communication annual plans in consultation with program managers;
• you connect research results with research from other science groups and the university to enhance our communication impact towards relevant stakeholders;
• you provide strategic advice and act as a sparring partner for program managers. Additionally, you support the programs in their goal to create social and societal impact;
• you contribute to increasing the reach with online and offline channels. You manage, develop, and distribute various forms of content. You know how to analyze and improve this content based on available data;
• together with the business developers, you proactively contribute to attracting potential partners who can help us contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Your communications team consists of five colleagues, but you will also collaborate with marketers from our colleague institutes and with Corporate Communications & Marketing colleagues.

Do you want to help us powerfully position the research of Wageningen University & Research and create impact on broad societal themes such as food, nutrition and health, biobased, and circularity? And do you want to do this with a team of enthusiastic and friendly colleagues? Apply now! 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;
• the option to accrue additional compensation hours by working more;
• 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 December 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 €3,693,- and €5,737,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 11). You will initially receive a one-year contract.
Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a multi-faceted position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.
You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands and with your work you have a clear and positive impact on society. At WUR we work on the most pressing challenges of our time, like climate change and feeding the world in a sustainable way. 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 this video to get an idea of our green campus!
We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves and do not appreciate unasked for services from recruitment agencies. However, sharing in your network is appreciated. You are an experienced marketing and communication professional and work 32-36 hours a week. You can enthuse, persuade, and inspire action. You have excellent interpersonal skills and are a results-oriented networker and connector. You are able to bring structure to a complex environment.

You also possess:

• fluency in Dutch and English (C1 level);
• at least five years of experience in advising, realizing, and managing strategic marketing and/or communication projects in a complex environment;
• academic working and thinking level, with proven affinity for our field of work;
• strong analytical skills and data-driven mindset;
• demonstrable experience in working in a complex environment;
• experience using a CRM system for lead generation and nurturing.

For more information about this position, please contact Carolien Hamelink, Manager Marketing & Communication, by email: carolien.hamelink@wur.nl.
For more information about the procedure, please contact Rutger Voorrips, corporate recruiter, by email: rutger.voorrips@wur.nl.

• you are responsible for the marketing and communication strategy (development and execution) for various programs and projects in the fields of food technology, food quality, biobased and circular applications;
• you contribute to further strengthening the position of the research domains with relevant stakeholders both nationally and internationally. You do this by drafting marketing and communication annual plans in consultation with program managers;
• you connect research results with research from other science groups and the university to enhance our communication impact towards relevant stakeholders;
• you provide strategic advice and act as a sparring partner for program managers. Additionally, you support the programs in their goal to create social and societal impact;
• you contribute to increasing the reach with online and offline channels. You manage, develop, and distribute various forms of content. You know how to analyze and improve this content based on available data;
• together with the business developers, you proactively contribute to attracting potential partners who can help us contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Your communications team consists of five colleagues, but you will also collaborate with marketers from our colleague institutes and with Corporate Communications & Marketing colleagues