Lead Communication and Change Transformation

Van Oord is in the middle of a major transformation. Systems are changing, structures are changing and expectations are changing. But is behaviour changing too? In this role, you are responsible for answering that question. You determine whether strategy is truly translated into the way colleagues around the world work, collaborate and make decisions. You work directly with the Executive Committee and are part of the Core Transformation Team. This is a role at the heart of change.

The position

You lead the communication and change approach for Van Oord’s most important transformation programmes, including:

• Large scale ERP implementations
• Organisational and structural changes
• Efficiency and cost optimisation programmes

These are initiatives with significant impact, visibility and complexity.

You will engage with critical stakeholders who have diverse interests, making resistance inevitable. You ensure that change is not only communicated but also successfully realised.

Your impact

You are ultimately responsible for communication and engagement around Van Oord’s key transformation programmes. You create compelling narratives that connect strategy with the daily reality of colleagues. By advising leaders and challenging them when necessary, you drive transparency, trust and behavioural change. You understand what is happening within the organisation and proactively address concerns and resistance. Through your approach, change is communicated, adopted and embedded.

Your key responsibilities include:

• Defining and leading the change and communication strategy for enterprise transformation programmes
• Advising and challenging the Executive Committee and senior leaders on behaviour, decision making and visibility
• Translating complex strategic decisions into clear and credible narratives that provide direction
• Actively managing resistance and stakeholder dynamics in an international environment
• Ensuring adoption and behavioural change through measurable impact

What success looks like within 12 to 24 months:

• Change is visible in behaviour, leadership and decision making
• Employees not only understand what is changing but also act accordingly
• Leaders communicate consistently, transparently and credibly
• Major programmes, such as ERP implementations, are not only delivered but fully adopted

As a member of the Core Transformation Team (5 people), you report to the Chief Transformation Officer and have a functional reporting line to the Director Stakeholders & Sustainability (STS).

Your workplace

You will work in an environment where ambition, collaboration and innovation come together. You will interact daily with senior leaders, transformation experts and colleagues across the organisation. No two days are the same and you will have ample opportunity to connect people, inspire action and provide direction.

Van Oord gives its people trust, responsibility and the freedom to achieve results together that remain visible for generations.

About you

You are not a traditional communicator. You are a strategic partner and a confident challenger.

• 10+ years of experience in enterprise change, communications or transformation
• Proven track record of impact in complex, international organisations
• Strong presence at Board and Executive Committee level
• Experience managing resistance, political dynamics and large scale cultural change
• The confidence to challenge leaders while building trust and engagement
• Excellent command of both Dutch and English

We offer

A unique opportunity to help shape the future of Van Oord and influence changes that affect the entire organisation. You will be given the trust, freedom and responsibility to make a real impact.

• Attractive travel allowance (€0.31 per km) and home working allowance (€2.40 per day)
• 32 holidays (of which a maximum of 7 are collective)
• Variable bonus, partly dependent on company results
• Attractive pension scheme
• Option for collective health insurance (Van Oord pays for your supplementary package)
• Extensive development opportunities, including a comprehensive online academy via GoodHabitz
• Communities to join, such as Young Van Oord, Van Oord Women and the Van Oord staff association
• Various events and sports activities, such as skiing, sailing weekends, cycling and motorcycling

‘Show what you can do and where your ambition lies, and you’ll get every opportunity to act on it. That’s something I’m proud of!’

Renske, Category Manager Engineering