Chief People & Communication Officer

Vroom Search; Rotterdam; On-site; EUR 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

We are seeking a Chief People & Communication Officer for an international, Rotterdam-based company. The CPCO will report to the CEO and lead the global People function while overseeing internal and external communications, shaping culture and organizational transformation in line with ambitious growth plans.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years in senior HR leadership, with multinational experience and strong coaching skills, capable of influencing Executive Leadership Teams and Boards.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of senior HR/People leadership experience.
• Executive-level experience as CHRO, CPCO, CPO, or equivalent.
• Experience in multicultural, international growth environments.
• Fluency in English; additional languages are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the global People function (33 FTE, direct and indirect reports) and oversee internal and external communications.
• Strengthen the employer brand and corporate reputation worldwide.
• Support growth, culture, and organizational transformation.

Skills

HR leadership

Executive-level roles

International growth

B2B & scaling

Mentoring senior leaders

Stakeholder management

People function leadership

English fluency

Rotterdam base

Job description

For an international company, we are looking for a Chief People & Communication Officer

Our client is an international, future-focused, capital-intensive organization with the ambition to play a leading role in the energy transition. For this organization, leadership means caring for people and the environment while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and responsible business practices.

The company plays an important role in global energy and chemical value chains and has developed a strategy that positions it as a transformational force within its industry. Supported by an ambitious growth agenda, the organization is working towards significantly expanding its business over the course of this decade.

Headquartered in Rotterdam, with operations across multiple international locations, the company combines the scale and complexity of a global organization with the agility and entrepreneurial spirit of a large mid-sized business.

Position

The organization offers a unique opportunity for a Chief People & Communication Officer to contribute to a business that is shaping the future of energy. Reporting directly to the CEO, the CPCO is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and will play a pivotal role in supporting the company's growth ambitions, culture, and organizational transformation.

The successful candidate is a credible and strategic People & Communication executive with broad experience across the full HR spectrum. The ideal candidate brings experience from international growth environments, ideally combining exposure to multinational organizations and large mid-sized businesses.

The CPCO is highly analytical, mature in judgment, and recognized for strong coaching and leadership capabilities. The CPCO has a proven ability to assess organizational, leadership, and communication needs and to develop creative solutions for complex business challenges. The role leads and develops the global People function (33 FTE, direct and indirect reports) and oversees both internal and external communications, strengthening the employer brand and corporate reputation worldwide.

Profile

Key Experience

• 15+ years of senior HR / People leadership experience.
• Significant executive-level experience as CHRO, CPCO, CPO, or an equivalent role.
• Experience in multicultural, international, growth-oriented, project-based, and capital-intensive environments.
• B2B experience is advantageous, combined with a strong understanding of organizational scaling and transformation.
• Demonstrated success in mentoring, coaching, and developing senior leadership teams, enabling high performance and succession readiness.
• Highly effective stakeholder manager, capable of influencing and engaging at all levels of the organization, including Executive Leadership Teams and Supervisory Boards.
• Extensive experience leading the full scope of the People function, including operations, strategic HR initiatives, organizational development, and business partnering.
• Outstanding communication skills and fluency in English, both written and verbal. Additional languages are considered an advantage in an international business environment.
• Willingness to be based in the Rotterdam area for a minimum of three days per week and to travel internationally when required.

Personal Style

• Strategic thinker with a pragmatic and hands-on mindset.
• Trusted advisor at executive level with strong personal credibility.
• High energy, low ego, and a collaborative leadership style.
• Ability to balance long-term vision with operational execution.
• Structured, intellectually curious, and high learning agility.
• Entrepreneurial, resilient, and comfortable operating in complex and changing environments.
• Naturally connects people, builds trust, and drives alignment across diverse stakeholder groups.

Availability

• Ideally available from January 2027, or earlier.

For an international company, we are looking for a Chief People & Communication Officer