All Things Urban

Eurocities is the network of more than 200 cities in 38 countries, representing 130 million people, working together to ensure a good quality of life for all.

You greet your neighbour as you leave home on your way to do work that is meaningful and decently paid. The air is clean and free of honking car horns. Using the free public wifi, you see that today the public square is a local artisans’ and farmers’ market. Your phone polls you on a few quick ideas that the local administration wants to try. You truly feel like you are a part of the city, and, as such, a part of Europe.

This is the future that European cities have been working to build through Eurocities since 1986. We help cities inspire each other. When a crisis hits, the urgency of local coordination and information sharing is starkly obvious – but with longer-burning issues like climate change, social equality and a vibrant economy this ‘glocal’ approach is no less essential.

That’s why we work with over 200 of Europe’s largest cities to improve the lives of over 130 million residents across 38 countries. That’s the ‘cities’ part of ‘Eurocities’. Hundreds of cities have already committed to getting carbon emissions down to zero, welcoming migrants and refugees, and governing through dialogue with their residents.

Local governments work on the ground with citizens and residents, and are essential partners for turning EU policies and ambitions into reality. As such, cities must be included directly in European decision making and should be in direct receipt of European funds. That’s the ‘Euro’ part of ‘Eurocities.’ So Eurocities, Europe plus cities, equals a better future for all.

Organisation
Eurocities, the network of major European cities, is recruiting a communications director.
The candidate would ideally start in June 2023.

Eurocities is a dynamic and international team where we trust in people, value diversity, constructive exchanges and collaborative work. We help people thrive in a sense-making, friendly, open and healthy environment while promoting a work/life balance.

As communications director, you will design, update and implement our external communications strategy, including media/press and digital alongside traditional communications, to further strengthen our impact on external stakeholders. For this, you will become a member of Eurocities’ Strategy Team and lead a team of 8 dedicated communications specialists.

You will identify new trends and seize opportunities to further advance Eurocities’ brand and ensure it reflects our strong commitment to sustainability. You will define key performance indicators to monitor our communications strategy.

You will build strategic partnerships with the media, European institutions, NGOs and other external actors to play a central role in Eurocities’ advocacy for sustainable and inclusive cities, and to make sure that cities have a seat around the table in European decision-making processes.

You will be a team player and ensure cohesive and effective messaging and communication flows, both externally and internally.

You are an experienced senior professional who is full of initiative, self-driven, curious, creative, flexible and impact-oriented.

You have:

an MBA or advanced degree in communications or journalism
a minimum 10 years of traditional and digital communications experience with a documented record in driving and managing advocacy/publicity campaigns, communication and messaging strategies, creative content, social media analytics
5 years of experience in managing a communications team, or in an executive communications management role
extensive experience in working with cities and/or on urban affairs
a thorough understanding of European policies and the EU institutions, and possibly experience with European projects
excellent personal communication skills
strong organisational and project management skills and can work under pressure
you are a native speaker or bilingual proficiency in English. Other languages are an advantage.

We offer
a full-time position as employee, under Belgian legislation. The selected candidate will need to either live in Belgium or be willing to move to Belgium for the duration of the contract (candidates need to provide a Belgian address)
an open-ended contract, starting in June 2023
€85,000-€95,000 yearly gross salary, according to profile and experience
flexible working hours
part-time teleworking
Benefits
Meal vouchers, pension plan, hospitalisation insurance, public transport costs, 13th month, éco-chèques, 90€ net per month of teleworking allowance, training opportunities.

How to apply
Applicants are requested to send a letter of motivation, explicitly describing point by point their relevant experience, linking it to the requirements for the position and providing examples of successful communications strategies that they have implemented, in one page maximum, together with a CV with at least two referees by 12:00 on 13 February 2023 to: Patricia de Wouters, Head of HR, at jobs@eurocities.eu.

Please send the documents in pdf format and mention ‘communications director’ in the subject line.

Interviews will be held in person on 22 & 23 (morning) February 2023.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. CV and personal data of non-selected candidates are not shared with anyone outside Eurocities and will be deleted immediately after the recruitment process. For more information, read our privacy policy.

eurocities.eu

€85,000-€95,000 yearly gross

We’re not fully sure whether this role is open to international candidates. If you would need visa sponsorship or work authorisation, we recommend checking directly with the employer before applying.