Head of Communications (all genders)

About zooplus

With more than 25 years of experience, zooplus stands as a leader and innovator in the pet e-commerce sector, passionately serving over 12 million customers across more than 30 countries. The company thrives on embracing change and continuously enhancing its services to delight pet owners everywhere.

Role Overview

As Europe's foremost online pet care provider, zooplus seeks its inaugural strategic Head of Communications to unify and elevate its communication efforts globally. This role aims to construct a cohesive communications strategy that amplifies the brand's industry presence and voice, coordinating fragmented activities across departments into one centralized center of excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and implement comprehensive communications strategies aligned with the company's priorities.
• Develop and nurture connections with significant business, consumer, and trade media outlets.
• Support the CEO and executive team through crafting messages, preparing briefings, and promoting thought leadership.
• Lead media relations and manage crisis communication preparedness and response efforts.
• Collaborate with Employer Branding and Talent Acquisition to strengthen zooplus' employer reputation through compelling corporate storytelling.
• Design and execute internal communication plans that advance leadership goals and business initiatives while fostering employee engagement.
• Enhance internal communication channels and cadence for improved interaction and involvement.
• Coordinate with Strategy & Transformation, People & Culture, and Employer Branding to maintain a consistent company narrative across internal and external audiences.
• Partner closely with Marketing and Brand teams to deliver appropriate consumer public relations programs that support brand growth objectives.
• Lead the company's data storytelling initiatives to boost brand recognition and employer image.
• Manage agency partnerships and oversee campaign rollouts.
• Develop a forward-looking communications strategy projecting two to three years ahead to shift zooplus into an active industry storyteller role.
• Integrate corporate, internal, CEO, and consumer PR functions under a unified structure and design a hub-and-spoke model for local market communications.
• Transition the communications team from a coordinating role to a proactive, agenda-setting body deeply embedded in Executive Committee activities.
• Enhance the public profiles of the CEO and Executive Committee across the DACH region and key European markets.
• Internalize core communication capabilities and strategically allocate agency budgets toward special and localized projects.
• Set up defined processes, key performance indicators, and regular reporting mechanisms for the Executive Committee.

Candidate Profile

• Possesses senior-level communications leadership experience, ideally within consumer-centric European organizations.
• Combines strategic vision with hands-on execution ability, capable of both long-term narrative development and day-to-day content creation.
• Demonstrates fluency in all communication domains: corporate, internal, consumer public relations, and executive messaging.
• Experienced in unifying disparate communication functions while maintaining positive stakeholder relationships.
• Effective collaborator with Employer Branding and Talent Acquisition teams to align messaging.
• Maintains composure and credibility under pressure.
• Fluent in both English and German, with a willingness to operate across multiple European markets.

Additional Information

The role is based in Munich with offices spanning Madrid, Krakow, Wroclaw, London, and Vienna, where teamwork and collaboration are highly valued. The company promotes hybrid work arrangements, encouraging 60% office presence and 40% remote work, with the option to spend up to 20 days working abroad in approved locations.

Professional development is supported through personalized career path shaping, comprehensive training, wellness programs, subsidized transportation or bike leasing, and a 20% discount on all products.

Compensation transparency is key at zooplus; salary ranges reflect growth potential based on experience and performance, with most offers centered near the midpoint to ensure fairness.

zooplus is dedicated to equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.