Principal Specialist, External Communications

Randstad; Diemen; Hybrid; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary + performance pay

Employee Share Purchase Plan

Flexible CET time-zone work

Inclusive culture

Job summary

Randstad in Diemen, NL, is seeking a Principal Specialist, External Communications to elevate our global reputation through proactive media relations, thought leadership campaigns, and reputation management. This hybrid role requires three days in the office in Diemen.

You will pitch stories, co-create research reports, track performance, and leverage AI tools to maximize impact, collaborating with Legal, Marketing, Public Affairs and external agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
• 2–5 years of experience in external communications, media relations, or PR roles.
• Exceptional written English and strong understanding of corporate strategy.
• Ability to distill complex research data into publish-ready materials.
• Collaborative mindset to work cross-functionally with Legal, Marketing, Public Affairs and agencies.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with key journalists and manage media inquiries.
• Co-create flagship research reports and thought leadership content.
• Track press coverage and share data-driven insights to optimize campaigns; apply AI to workflows.

Skills

Copywriting

Business acumen

Cross-functional collaboration

Resilience & problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree (Communications/Journ/Public Relations/Business)

Tools

AI tools for content creation

Job description

Principal Specialist, External Communications

Summary: Randstad is seeking a Principal Specialist, External Communications to elevate our global reputation, drive high-impact thought leadership campaigns, and champion proactive media relations and measure our impact.

• Location: Diemen. NL (Hybrid. 3 days a week in the office)
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Experience Level: junior to mid level (2–5 years of experience)
• Department: Corporate Affairs / External Communications

What is the Core Focus of This Role?

This is a media relations, thought leadership, and reputation management position focused on building and protecting our reputation. You will pitch stories, find the media angle in market intelligence, co-create thought leadership reports, track performance metrics, and leverage AI tools to maximise our impact.

What You Will Achieve

1. Reputation & Media Relations

• Build and maintain direct relationships with key journalists, manage incoming press inquiries, and organize targeted media pitching.
• Protect brand reputation by drafting reactive statements and supporting issues management during sensitive or urgent situations.

2. Thought Leadership & Content Strategy

• Co-create, package, and launch flagship research reports and white papers that align with business priorities.
• Write high-impact press releases, opinion pieces, report summaries, and social copy that bring to life Randstad’s narrative.
• Collaborate on equity@work initiatives to highlight real-world impacts on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

3. Measurement, Analytics & AI Integration

• Use AI tools to research, outline, and streamline content creation workflows efficiently.
• Track press coverage, evaluate campaign reach, monitor share of voice, and translate data into business-focused recommendations.

What Do You Need to Succeed? Experience & Education

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Business) or equivalent practical experience.
• Track Record: 2–5 years of experience in external communications, media relations, or PR agency roles. Proven hands-on experience placing stories with media, drafting press releases, and creating thought leadership campaigns.
• Copywriting & Business Acumen: Exceptional written English skills with a strong understanding of corporate strategy, market dynamics, and business growth.
• Report Development: Ability to distill complex research data into clean, publish-ready thought leadership materials that catch media interest.
• Resilience & Problem Solving: Thrives in a fast-paced environment under tight deadlines, maintaining composure and a practical "can-do" mindset.
• Collaborative Spirit: Comfortable partnering cross-functionally with Legal, Marketing, Public Affairs, Business Unit Leaders, and external PR agencies.
• Bonus Skill: Hands-on experience or interest in visual asset creation (social graphics, short videos, infographics).

Why Join Randstad?

• Competitive Compensation: Base salary plus performance-based variable pay.
• Equity & Ownership: Option to participate in Randstad’s employee Share Purchase Plan.
• Flexibility with Intentionality: A work environment promoting balance across CET time zones.
• Inclusive Culture: A culture guided by our leadership pillars: We Set Direction, We Achieve, We Care, and Lead by Example.