Global Media Lead

The HEINEKEN Company; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 91,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

20 vacation days + 6 weeks with extra

NS Business Card

Global career opportunities

Job summary

The HEINEKEN Company in Amsterdam is seeking a Global Media Lead who will be the first face to journalists worldwide. You respond to media inquiries with clear, compelling answers aligned with internal spokespeople and our strategy, shaping global narratives.

You will develop global media plans, build relationships with influential journalists, and guide senior leaders on external communications. This role blends storytelling with strategic counsel across markets, brands and regions, supporting

Qualifications

• 8+ years in external corporate communications or media relations across multiple markets.
• Experience managing diverse stakeholders and agencies.
• Knowledge of financial reporting is a plus.
• Excellent writing, editing and media instincts.

Responsibilities

• Develop global media plans turning priorities into impactful stories across traditional and new media.
• Create corporate media stories using data, proof points, and credible voices.
• Collaborate with global functions, regions and operating companies to activate plans.
• Build and maintain relationships with influential global media and identify opportunities.
• Support senior leaders with strategic communications and crisis guidance when needed.
• Manage external agencies to deliver high-quality work aligned with objectives.
• Provide strategic counsel to senior leadership on corporate communications topics.

Skills

Media relations

Stakeholder management

Writing & editing

English

Education

University degree

Job description

Function: Global Corporate Affairs – Global Communications

Location: Amsterdam

Closing Date: 8th November 2026

What will you do as Global Media Lead?

As Global Media Lead, you are one of the first faces of our company to journalists around the world. You know how to respond to media enquiries with strong, relevant answers, tailored to the outlet and audience and aligned with the right people internally.

But this role is about much more than responding to the news. You understand our company strategy, have an instinct for what makes a great story and know how to bring it to life. You enjoy diving into the business, finding the stories that matter and turning them into compelling news angles with the right spokespeople, proof points and creative assets.

You are curious about the changing media landscape. You enjoy building relationships with influential journalists and expanding our network, while exploring new ways to reach audiences as the way people discover and consume news continues to evolve.

No two days are the same. You will develop global communications plans that build and protect HEINEKEN’s reputation, provide strategic communications advise, work closely with colleagues across the business, and support key corporate topics and issues when needed.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver global media plans that turn key business and reputation priorities into relevant, impactful stories, strengthening HEINEKEN’s reputation across traditional and new media channels, platforms and formats.
• Create compelling corporate media stories that bring HEINEKEN’s strategy, values and initiatives to life, using strong insights, data, proof points and the right internal or external voices.
• Work closely with global functions, Brands, Regions and Operating Companies to identify stories and opportunities, gather input and build communications plans that can be activated across markets.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with influential global media, proactively identifying media opportunities and exploring new channels, formats and tools to reach relevant audiences.
• Support the external positioning of senior leaders and subject-matter experts, identifying the right spokespeople and opportunities to strengthen HEINEKEN’s reputation.
• Manage external communications and creative agencies, ensuring they deliver high-quality work that supports HEINEKEN’s communications objectives.
• Provide strategic communications counsel to senior leaders and teams on corporate communications topics, and support issues and crisis communications when required.

Experience & Profile (What & How):

What:

• Education: University level
• Work experience: 8+ years in field of external corporate communications, media relations team or agency working across multiple markets
• Experience managing and working with various stakeholders in the business, communications agencies
• Experience with financial reporting is a plus
• Functional skills: Skilled at media relations, understanding of how corporate communications and media work
• Languages: English

How:

• Role models the HEINEKEN behaviours, working collaboratively and taking ownership from start to end.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence to provide clear communications advice and challenge constructively when needed.
• Confident working with C-suite and senior leaders, building trusted relationships.
• Strong news judgement and understanding of the media landscape, with an instinct for what makes a story relevant.
• A self-starter, curious and a natural network builder, keen to explore new media, formats, technology and ways to reach audiences.
• Calm and resilient under pressure, able to navigate sensitive topics, changing priorities and issues or crisis situations.
• Strong project management skills, able to manage multiple priorities and drive communications plans from idea through to execution.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to make complex topics simple, compelling and relevant.

What's in it for you? Let’s uncork!

• Competitive salary: A gross monthly salary ranging from €8,173 to €11,209, based on your experience and expertise, excluding 8% holiday allowance.
• Performance-driven bonus: A bonus linked to your results, celebrating your achievements and rewarding your contribution to our success.
• Plenty of vacation time: Enjoy 20 vacation days per year, plus a flexible budget to add 10 extra days — that’s 6 weeks in total.
• Stress-free commuting: Enjoy easy travel with an NS Business Card for public transport or a reimbursement of €0.23 per km (up to 30 km per one-way trip).
• Grow with us: We offer endless opportunities for you to learn, grow and explore new career paths, both locally and globally.
• Global impact: Work on strategic technology categories and partnerships that support HEINEKEN’s digital transformation across our global organisation.