Head of Technology

The role  

We are looking for an ambitious, proactive and driven individual to join Edelman Amsterdam to lead and growth the technology portfolio. 

The successful candidate would have a track record of leading and executing insight-driven communications programs for clients to advance support their business strategy and reputation.  

This person must be able to deliver strategic media relations, blending earned, owned, paid and social media, be an excellent team leader, and - crucially – have proven and extensive experience in the technology sector, in addition to a broad knowledge of the Dutch media landscape. The ability to earn the trust of clients and counsel them across a range of complex and evolving issues is also vital. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and lead the portfolio of tech clients for Edelman in the Netherlands (brands such as Microsoft, Booking.com, Paypal, Samsung, HP, Crowdstrike)
• Managing and developing client relationships to earn their trust to deliver day to day work as well as providing proactive confident counsel on communications strategy and new approaches or ideas that will help evolve their communications
• Educate and inspire the tech workforce as well as clients with trends and industry insights in the technology sector
• Drive new business for existing and new tech clientele from an integrated comms marketing perspective
• Drive every aspect of developing and implementing innovative communications programmes
• Writing proposals, messaging and narratives as well as longer form PR materials
• Crafting compelling newsworthy stories from limited content
• Directing media engagement strategy for clients and coaching teams to activate and deliver coverage, leading from the front
• Manage and mitigate issues and crises from a press office and reputational point of view
• Serve as press officer and first point of contact for Dutch media in critical situations for a variety of clients and brands
• Present confidently and expertly, able to articulate point of view and persuade and influence
• Oversee quality and operational performance, ensuring work quality and deadline adherence for junior members of teams, providing close coaching and development
• Identifying potential leads and areas of growth within existing client workstream
• Assisting with overall financial management – forecasting, hours allocation for team members, project & plan budgeting, managing servicing levels

The ideal candidate for this role will have/be:

• A background in corporate communications with substantial expertise in the areas of regulation, policy and corporate responsibility
• Ability to forge relationships with a variety of stakeholders from research, to CSR, people and legal
• A media hound with robust and proven contacts that can be engaged from day one
• Ability to apply a differing audience lens and use data and insights to inform targeting, approach and strategy
• A knowledge of the major technology trends and issues impacting big tech, including the NL policy landscape; a proactive interest in ‘techlash’ conversation is essential
• A hands-on manager with the capability to think and apply solutions quickly
• Excellent verbal and written skills, and solid negotiation skills with ability to manage client expectations against budget / results
• Demonstrate strategic writing skills including the development of proposals and presentations and delivering copy to tight deadlines
• Proven track record in prioritizing workload as well as supporting junior and mid-level team members
• Ability to balance ‘quick hits’ and longer-term strategy and understanding the difference
• Team player, collaborative, non-hierarchical
• Proactive mindset, open to speak up and challenge clients
• Recognize responsibility and work to exceed client expectations
• Experience of integrating with different practices / teams on cross-business work, ability to work collaboratively with a variety of people to meet client expectations
• Interest in forming and forging opinions on behalf of clients
• A creative problem solver able to deliver results for clients and generate new ways of thinking and working
• Ability to handle difficult and sensitive conversations
• Keen to carve out distinctive role and use own initiative to help the running of the team
• Entrepreneurial spirit - willingness to ‘get stuck in’ and make the most of opportunities

Why Join Us?

At Edelman, we believe in the power of ideas, inclusion, and the impact of purpose-driven work. If you’re ready to lead with confidence and creativity, we encourage you to apply and redefine what’s possible in corporate communications.

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

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