External Communications, Associate Director, Corporate
Wk · NLD, Alphen Aan Den Rijn, Netherlands · onsite
Wolters Kluwer is seeking an experienced Associate Director, External Communications with a strong, established network across PR and media in the Netherlands and internationally. Reporting to the Director of External Communications, this role sits within the Global Communications team and is responsible for strengthening the external visibility and reputation
of Wolters Kluwer across Dutch and selected international media.
The Associate Director will lead communications efforts related to the company’s strategy, executives, products and services, thought leadership, and financial performance, and will serve as the Global Communications team’s primary point of contact for crisis communications.
BASIC FUNCTION
In this role, you will serve as a trusted strategic communications advisor to the corporate executive team, providing expert counsel on media relations, financial communications, and reputational matters. Reporting to the Global Director of External Communications, you will play a critical role in protecting and strengthening Wolters Kluwer’s corporate reputation while supporting business growth, investor confidence, and long-term value creation.
You will lead high-impact corporate external communications initiatives that elevate the visibility of Wolters Kluwer’s strategy, executives, thought leadership, and financial performance across priority markets. This includes shaping proactive media strategies, managing executive, media, and analyst engagement, supporting financial reporting and disclosures, and serving as a key
leader on crisis and issues management. Working closely across businesses, functions, and geographies, you will ensure communications are aligned, consistent, measurable, and clearly connected to corporate objectives.
This is an opportunity to join a high-performing global communications team and make a meaningful, visible impact. If you are a seasoned, results-driven communications professional with deep PR expertise, strong executive presence, and the ability to operate confidently in complex, fast-moving environments, this role offers a compelling platform to do your best work.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Media Relations & External Communications
- Develop and execute comprehensive external communications and media relations strategies aligned with Wolters Kluwer’s corporate objectives in the Netherlands and, where appropriate, globally.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the Executive Team, providing strategic communications counsel with sound judgment, discretion, and credibility.
- Create and oversee high-quality external communications materials, including press releases, holding statements, media alerts, briefings, FAQs, targeted pitches, blog and social media content, and bylined articles.
- Build and sustain strong relationships with key national and international media, industry publications, and influencers, delivering proactive and well-planned story pitches on a regular cadence.
- Arrange and manage media and analyst engagements for executives and subject matter experts to support strategic priorities.
- Define clear objectives and success metrics for communications initiatives, using both qualitative and quantitative measures.
- Support and coordinate media relations activities for Benelux-based businesses as needed.
Financial Communications
- Lead media engagement related to quarterly earnings, including press release development and results promotion.
- Partner closely with Investor Relations on communications for the Annual Report and Annual General Meeting.
- Manage press communications related to financial transactions and material corporate developments.
- Ensure timely and accurate updates to Wolters Kluwer’s website in support of financial and corporate communications.
- Crisis Communications & Issues Management
- Review, update, and govern crisis communications frameworks, including plans, templates, and messaging.
- Maintain and refresh internal crisis communications materials and presentations.
- Partner with the Business Continuity team to ensure alignment during incidents or emerging issues.
- Develop expertise in, and actively promote, Wolters Kluwer’s Incident Management approach across the organization.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, or journalism.
- Advanced degrees or certifications in external comms and marketing are a plus.
Experience
- 10+ years of experience in communications, gained within a corporate and/or agency environment.
- Strong, established network of media contacts across Tier 1, trade, and broadcast outlets, including Dutch media.
- Proven experience managing crisis communications and sensitive issues.
- Demonstrated experience leading or supporting financial communications within a large, complex organization.
- Fluency in both Dutch and English is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Superb writing and editing skills and a strong sense of narrative and storytelling.
- Excellent creative thinker, with an ability to quickly understand a breadth of information and simplify the communication.
- Ability to verbally relay concepts, goals, and project plans to all parties involved in the execution of said plans.
- Ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams as well as working in longdistance situations.
- Ability to read and understand industry specific documents and/or presentations.
- Ability to author routine reports and correspondence.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with all levels of management.
- Experience with AI prompting and use of GenAI tools in communications.
Other Knowledge, Skills, Abilities or Certifications:
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where limited standardization exists.
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
- Meticulous, able to work independently and as a contributor in a team environment.
- Strong organizational, time management and interpersonal skills
- Flexible and responsive to change.
- Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment while managing multiple priorities with focus and composure.
- Proven relationship builder who collaborates seamlessly across functions, aligning diverse stakeholders toward shared goals.
- Highly resilient with a strong “can-do” mindset; takes full ownership of initiatives from concept through execution and delivery.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
This position requires travelling
Our Interview Practices
To maintain a fair and genuine hiring process, we kindly ask that all candidates participate in interviews without the assistance of AI tools or external prompts. Our interview process is designed to assess your individual skills, experiences, and communication style. We value authenticity and want to ensure we’re getting to know you—not a digital assistant. To help maintain this integrity, we ask to remove virtual backgrounds and include in-person interviews in our hiring process. Please note that use of AI-generated responses or third-party support during interviews will be grounds for disqualification from the recruitment process.
Applicants may be required to appear onsite at a Wolters Kluwer office as part of the recruitment process.