I am a passionate and results-driven communication professional with over 10 years of experience in communication, public relations, policy, and scientific research. Based in Essen, Belgium, where I live with my husband Tobias and our three daughters.

Nathalie Claessens

I am a passionate and results-driven communication professional with over 10 years of experience in communication, public relations, policy, and scientific research. Based in Essen, Belgium, where I live with my husband Tobias and our three daughters.

Available to hire

I am a passionate and results-driven communication professional with over 10 years of experience in communication, public relations, policy, and scientific research.

Based in Essen, Belgium, where I live with my husband Tobias and our three daughters.

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Language

Dutch
Fluent
English
Fluent
French
Advanced
German
Intermediate

Work Experience

Diensthoofd Communicatie & Onthaal at Gemeente Essen
January 1, 2021 - Present
Intern & extern communicatie; doelgroepgericht & breed; online & offline; mediarelaties; communicatiebeleid en -planning; Leidinggeven aan een team van 5 medewerkers; Projectmanagement; Events; Draagvlak creëren bij collega's, schepencollege & burgers.
PR Manager at Manley (formerly Content Cats)
January 1, 2021 - September 26, 2025
Communicatie: PR, contentcreatie, sociale media; Account- & projectmanagement; Mediarelatie & monitoring; Creatie van communicatieplannen en -acties; Begeleiding van junior medewerkers & stagiairs.
Politieke Medewerker at Vlaams Parlement
January 1, 2019 - September 26, 2025
Communicatie: intern & extern, online & offline, persberichten, nieuwsbrief, sociale media, events; Mediarelaties; Parlementair beleidswerk; Administratie.
Gastprofessor / Post-Doc Onderzoeker at AP Hogeschool & Universiteit Antwerpen
January 1, 2015 - September 26, 2025
Gastprofessor 'European Media Policy' (3e Bachelor Management & Communicatie - AP Hogeschool); Gastprofessor 'Mediabeleid' (Master Communicatiewetenschappen - Universiteit Antwerpen); Post-doc onderzoeker (Communicatiewetenschappen - Universiteit Antwerpen).
Founder & Co-CEO at Kokonuts
January 1, 2025 - Present
Responsible for developing communication strategy, marketing, PR and social media presence for Kokonuts.
Head of Communication Department at Gemeente Essen
January 1, 2025 - September 26, 2025
PR, content creation, social media; account & project management; media relations & media monitoring; communication plans and actions; coaching and mentoring.
Political Marketeer at Flemish Parliament
January 1, 2019 - September 26, 2025
Internal & external communication (online & offline), press releases, newsletters, social media, events; media relations; parliamentary policy work; administration.
Visiting Professor at AP Hogeschool
January 1, 2015 - September 26, 2025
Visiting Professor for European Media Policy (Bachelor) and related courses; involved in teaching and coordination.
Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Antwerp
January 1, 2015 - September 26, 2025
Postdoctoral research in Communication Sciences; contributed to academic publications and policy-related studies.
Co-founder & Co-CEO at Kokonuts
January 1, 2025 - Present
Leading communication strategy, marketing, PR and social media for Kokonuts.
Head of Communication Department at Gemeente Essen
January 1, 2025 - September 26, 2025
Oversees PR, content creation, social media; account & project management; media relations and monitoring; development of communication plans; coaching and mentoring.
Political Marketeer at Flemish Parliament
January 1, 2019 - September 26, 2025
Internal & external communication; online and offline; press releases, newsletters, social media, events; media relations; parliamentary policy work; administration.
Visiting Professor & Postdoctoral Researcher at AP Hogeschool & University of Antwerp
January 1, 2015 - September 26, 2025
Visiting Professor 'European Media Policy' (3rd Year Bachelor's in Management & Communication - AP), Visiting Professor 'Media Policy' (Master's in Communication Sciences - University of Antwerp); Postdoctoral Researcher (Communication Sciences - University of Antwerp).
Senior PR Manager at Manley
January 1, 2021 - September 26, 2025
Senior PR Manager providing strategy, media relations, content creation, and management.
Founder & Co-CEO at Kokonuts
January 1, 2025 - Present
Overseeing communication strategy, marketing, PR, and social media to build brand visibility and stakeholder engagement for Kokonuts.
Head of Communication Department at Gemeente Essen
January 1, 2025 - September 26, 2025
Led PR, content creation, and social media; managed accounts and projects; media relations and monitoring; developed communication plans and actions; coached and mentored team members.
Senior PR Manager at Manley
January 1, 2021 - September 26, 2025
Led public relations strategy and execution; managed media relations, content development, and crisis communication; supervised events and stakeholder engagement.
Political Marketeer at Flemish Parliament
January 1, 2019 - September 26, 2025
Handled internal and external communications (online and offline), press releases, newsletters, social media, and events; managed media relations and parliamentary policy work; administrative duties.
Visiting Professor - European Media Policy at AP Hogeschool (University of Applied Sciences) / University of Antwerp
December 31, 2013 - September 26, 2025
Visiting Professor teaching European Media Policy to 3rd-year Bachelor students in Management & Communication; contributed to academic curriculum.
Visiting Professor - Media Policy at University of Antwerp
December 31, 2015 - September 26, 2025
Visiting Professor teaching Media Policy to Master’s students in Communication Sciences; contributed to academic curriculum.
Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Antwerp
December 31, 2015 - September 26, 2025
Postdoctoral research in Communication Sciences; conducted and published research on media policy and related topics.
Founder & Co-CEO at Kokonuts
January 1, 2025 - Present
Developed and implemented comprehensive communication strategy, marketing initiatives, public relations activities, and social media management to build brand presence and stakeholder engagement.
Head of Communication Department at Gemeente Essen
January 1, 2025 - September 26, 2025
Led PR and communications; oversaw content creation and social media; managed accounts and projects; guided media relations, monitoring, and planning; coached and mentored team members.
Political Marketeer at Flemish Parliament
January 1, 2019 - September 26, 2025
Managed internal and external communications, online and offline channels, press releases, newsletters, social media, and events; handled media relations and parliamentary policy work; administrative duties.
Visiting Professor & Postdoctoral Researcher at AP Hogeschool & University of Antwerp
January 1, 2015 - September 26, 2025
Visiting Professor for European Media Policy and Media Policy; Postdoctoral Researcher in Communication Sciences.
Senior PR Manager at Manley
January 1, 2021 - September 26, 2025
Led public relations initiatives, managed client relationships, and delivered strategic communications across channels.

Education

Doctor in de Communicatie-wetenschappen at Universiteit Antwerpen
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2013
PhD in Communication Sciences at University of Antwerp
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2013
PhD in Communication Sciences at University of Antwerp
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2013
PhD in Communication Sciences at University of Antwerp
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2013
PhD in Communication Sciences at University of Antwerp
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2013

Qualifications

Doctor in de Communicatie-wetenschappen
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2013

Industry Experience

Government, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Other