Communications Specialist

Arup; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Arup in the Netherlands seeks a strategic External Communications Specialist to amplify our impact, strengthen visibility and position Arup as a trusted voice on societal challenges.

You will translate complex technical topics into compelling narratives, lead media relations and thought leadership, and collaborate with executives to ensure consistent external messaging. Fluency in Dutch and English is essential, with a proactive storytelling mindset.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a similar role.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in communications.
• Proven experience in external communications, PR or media relations.
• A strong network or affinity with the Dutch media landscape.
• Excellent writing skills, from press releases to thought leadership.
• Ability to translate complex, technical topics into compelling content.
• Proactive mindset: you don’t wait for stories, you create them.
• Confidence in advising senior stakeholders and preparing them for media exposure.
• Fluency in Dutch and English (both essential).

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of external communications and PR strategies.
• Identify and shape newsworthy stories from our projects, people and insights.
• Write and coordinate press releases, articles, opinion pieces and expert quotes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Dutch media, journalists and industry platforms.
• Position our experts as credible spokespeople in public debates and media appearances.
• Translate complex technical topics into clear, engaging narratives.
• Spot opportunities to link Arup’s expertise to current events and societal discussions.
• Coordinate media responses and support colleagues in interviews and public positioning.
• Work closely with business leaders to ensure consistent messaging.

Skills

External communications

Media relations

Writing skills

Storytelling

Dutch-English fluency

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in communications

Job description

Joining Arup

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

Arup is the creative force at the heart of many of the world’s most prominent projects in the built and natural environment. Working in more than 140 countries, the firm’s designers, engineers, architects, planners, consultants, and technical specialists work with our clients on innovative projects of the highest quality and impact. As a wholly independent organisation, we are owned in trust for the benefit of our employees and their dependants: with no shareholders or external investors we determine our own business priorities and direction.

The Opportunity

At Arup, we shape a better world and to do so, our voice needs to be heard where it matters most. In the Netherlands, we are looking for a strategic and creative External Communications Specialist to amplify our impact, strengthen our visibility and position Arup as a trusted voice on some of today’s most pressing societal challenges.

From affordable housing and sustainability to infrastructure and digital transformation, you will ensure our expertise is translated into compelling stories that resonate with media, clients and decision-makers.

The role

This is not a generalist marketing role. It is a focused position at the heart of our external positioning in the Dutch market where you will be enabled to shape our external voice.

You will take ownership of how Arup shows up externally and proactively driving visibility through media relations, thought leadership and high-quality storytelling.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of external communications and PR strategies
• Identify and shape newsworthy stories from our projects, people and insights
• Write and coordinate press releases, articles, opinion pieces and expert quotes
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Dutch media, journalists and industry platforms
• Position our experts as credible spokespeople in public debates and media appearances
• Translate complex technical topics into clear, engaging and relevant narratives
• Proactively spot opportunities to link Arup’s expertise to current events and societal discussions
• Coordinate media responses and support colleagues in interviews and public positioning
• Work closely with business leaders and experts to ensure consistent, strong messaging

Is this role right for you?

• You are a natural storyteller with a strong external focus.
• You understand how media works, what makes a story land and how to position a brand with credibility and confidence.
• At least 5 years of experience in a similar role.
• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in communications.
• Proven experience in external communications, PR or media relations (agency or in-house)
• A strong network or affinity with the Dutch media landscape
• Excellent writing skills, from sharp press releases to thought leadership articles
• The ability to translate complex, technical topics into compelling content
• A proactive mindset: you don’t wait for stories. You create them
• Confidence in advising senior stakeholders and preparing them for media exposure
• Fluency in Dutch and English (both essential)

What We Offer You

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

Different people, shared values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact [e-mail] to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.