📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Communications Manager - US & Europe
🔹 Company: Optiver
🔹 Location: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
🔹 Job Type: On-site
🔹 Category: Communications & Public Relations
🔹 Date Posted: May 9, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (with occasional travel)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing strategic communications for the US and Europe
- Driving employee engagement through clear, cohesive messaging
- Collaborating with senior stakeholders and global communications teams
- Managing internal communications channels and platforms
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of autonomy, strong organizational skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, international environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Establishing an internal communications strategy and framework for the US and Europe
✅ Ensuring regular messaging from local and global leaders to employees
✅ Supporting regional management teams with communications and employee engagement
✅ Identifying opportunities to connect regional and functional messaging to overarching organizational goals
✅ Advising on best practices for strategic communications during periods of change
✅ Participating in global communications projects and initiatives
✅ Representing US & Europe communications in local, regional, and global business and people projects
✅ Planning, editing, and writing content for internal communications channels and media
✅ Developing and maintaining internal platforms and channels
✅ Supporting global communications with media and PR topics, crisis communications, and issues management
✅ Collaborating across marketing, external, and internal communications to ensure consistency
✅ Managing local suppliers to support the execution of the communications strategy
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of multitasking, project management, and collaboration with various teams and departments.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, communications, journalism, or a related field; a Master’s degree is preferred
Experience: 10+ years of experience in corporate communications, internal communications, or public relations, preferably within a global organization
Required Skills:
- Proven track record developing and implementing communication strategies
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
- Ability to collaborate across management levels and departments
- Highly organized and structured, able to multitask and handle multiple projects simultaneously
- Autonomous and proactive, capable of working across multiple teams and departments
- Experience dealing with different cultures and willingness to travel
- Sense of ethical responsibility and trustworthiness to handle sensitive and confidential information
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with digital communication tools and platforms
- Knowledge of the financial services industry
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in a global organization and familiarity with the financial services industry may have an advantage in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: €80,000 - €120,000 per year (based on industry standards for a senior communications role in the Netherlands)
Benefits:
- Performance-based bonus structure
- 25 paid vacation days
- Fully paid first-class commuting expenses
- Training opportunities and discounts on health insurance
- Extensive office perks, including breakfast and lunch, world-class barista coffee, sports and leisure activities, Friday afternoon drinks, and weekly in-house chair massages
- Competitive relocation packages and visa sponsorship where necessary for expats
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a senior communications role in the Netherlands. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Financial Services. Optiver is a leading global electronic market maker committed to improving the world’s financial markets.
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees. This size allows for ample opportunities for collaboration and growth but maintains a manageable team structure.
Founded: 1986. Optiver has a long history and established reputation in the financial services industry.
Company Description:
- Optiver is a leading global electronic market maker, dedicated to continuously improving the market.
- The company provides liquidity to financial markets using its own capital, trading a wide range of products: listed derivatives, cash equities, ETFs, bonds, and foreign currencies.
- Optiver is committed to leading the way in market making for environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) products.
Company Specialties:
- Market Making
- Business Operations
- Tech
- Trading
Company Website: http://optiver.com
ASSUMPTION: Optiver's commitment to improving the world’s financial markets and focus on ESG products indicate a strong sense of corporate responsibility and a forward-thinking approach to business.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior. This role is suitable for experienced communications professionals looking to take on a strategic and leadership position.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Communications Manager will report directly to the Global Head of Communications and work closely with senior stakeholders and a global team of communications colleagues.
Work Arrangement: On-site, with occasional travel to global offices. This role requires a presence in the Amsterdam office but may involve travel to other Optiver locations.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to take on additional responsibilities and grow within the global communications team
- Opportunities to collaborate on global projects and initiatives
- Possibility to develop expertise in specific areas of interest, such as crisis communications or employee engagement
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth and development within a dynamic and international environment.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative workspace with extensive office perks and amenities
Office Location(s): Amsterdam, with occasional travel to other Optiver offices
Geographic Context:
- Amsterdam is a vibrant, multicultural city with a strong financial services industry
- The Netherlands has a competitive job market and offers a high quality of life
- Amsterdam is well-connected by public transportation and has a bike-friendly culture
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with occasional flexibility for remote work or adjusted hours
ASSUMPTION: The Amsterdam office provides a collaborative and engaging work environment, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video call with the Recruitment team
- In-depth interview with the Global Head of Communications and a member of the Communications team
- Final interview with senior stakeholders
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills and strategic thinking
- Experience with internal communications and change management
- Cultural fit and adaptability
- Problem-solving skills and initiative
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of Optiver's mission and commitment to improving the world’s financial markets
- Prepare examples of your past work that showcase your ability to develop and execute strategic communications plans
ATS Keywords: Strategic Communications, Internal Communications, Public Relations, Change Management, Employee Engagement, Crisis Communications, Global Teamwork, Stakeholder Management, Project Management
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's communication skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit within the Optiver team.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Digital communication tools and platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Asana)
- CMS and project management tools (e.g., WordPress, JIRA)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is preferred but not required. Optiver provides training and support to help employees develop the necessary skills.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Responsibility: Optiver takes responsibility for its actions and their consequences
- Integrity: Optiver acts with integrity and is transparent in its dealings
- Collaboration: Optiver values collaboration and teamwork
- Expertise: Optiver seeks to be the best in its field and continuously improves
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic environment
- Collaborative and team-oriented culture
- Focus on results and continuous improvement
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Optiver's commitment to improving the world’s financial markets?
- How do you handle working in a fast-paced, international environment with multiple stakeholders?
- How do you approach continuous learning and improvement in your role?
ASSUMPTION: Optiver values candidates who are proactive, adaptable, and committed to continuous learning and improvement.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Balancing the needs and priorities of various stakeholders
- Adapting to cultural differences and working with remote teams
- Navigating a large, global organization with a complex structure
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong organizational skills, effective communication, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other senior communications roles, this position focuses specifically on the US and Europe region
- Optiver's global presence and commitment to ESG products set it apart from other financial services companies
- This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth and development within a dynamic and international environment
ASSUMPTION: This role is well-suited to experienced communications professionals looking to take on a strategic and leadership position in a global organization.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a communications strategy for a major organizational change initiative
- Managing a team to produce a comprehensive internal communications campaign for a global product launch
- Collaborating with external communications to ensure consistent messaging across internal and external channels
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and collaborative nature of the Senior Communications Manager role at Optiver.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role support Optiver's mission to continuously improve the market?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the US and Europe business, and how can communications help address them?
- How does the Global Head of Communications support the Senior Communications Manager in this role?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within the global communications team?
- How does Optiver foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork across its global offices?
ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate the candidate's interest in the role, the company, and its mission, while also providing insight into the work environment and opportunities for growth.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your past work that showcase your ability to develop and execute strategic communications plans
- Follow up with the Recruitment team at recruitment@optiver.com one week after submitting your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
