Internship - Global Government & Public Affairs

Internship – Global Government & Public Affairs

The internship

Interested in how global business and public policy intersect? Join HEINEKEN's Global Governmental & Public Affairs team and gain hands-on experience at the heart of international public affairs, government relations, and corporate strategy. Working with colleagues across markets and functions, you'll help navigate political, regulatory, and societal developments that shape our business in more than 70 countries.

As an intern, you will support the Global Governmental & Public Affairs team and collaborate closely with colleagues across HEINEKEN's operating companies and corporate functions. Your responsibilities will include:

• Monitoring and analysing political, tax, and regulatory developments relevant to HEINEKEN and the brewing industry.

• Conducting research and translating insights into actionable recommendations for internal stakeholders.

• Supporting stakeholder engagement activities and contributing to HEINEKEN's relationships with governments, industry associations, and other external partners.

• Helping shape and deliver the team's global public affairs strategy, including our Dutch Connectivity programme, which strengthens HEINEKEN's engagement with the Dutch government as a proud Dutch brewer.

• Supporting a broad range of public policy, public affairs, and government relations initiatives across global, regional, and local markets.

This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience of how public affairs supports business objectives in a highly international environment. You'll work on issues that affect HEINEKEN's operations worldwide while developing practical skills in policy analysis, stakeholder management, research, and strategic communications.

Your new team and workplace

The Global Governmental & Public Affairs team is part of HEINEKEN's Global Corporate Affairs function, alongside Global Communications and Sustainable Development. The team manages relationships with governments, international industry associations, and other key stakeholders, while helping shape HEINEKEN's response to public policy developments in areas such as alcohol policy, international trade, taxation, sustainability, and business regulation.

As a multicultural team working across markets worldwide, we help ensure that external developments and stakeholder perspectives are reflected in business decision-making. This creates a dynamic environment where no two days are the same and where interns are given meaningful responsibility from day one.

At HEINEKEN, you'll have the opportunity to build your network far beyond your immediate team. We encourage an entrepreneurial mindset, value curiosity and fresh perspectives, and provide the guidance and support you need to make a real contribution while developing professionally.

What a day in the internship could look like 

You start the morning checking what’s happening in the world. A new regulation, political development or industry story might have come up overnight, and part of the job is understanding what it could mean for the business. Later in the morning, you might dive into a policy topic, look at what’s happening across different markets or help turn a complex issue into a clear briefing for the team.

Then, lunch. Laptop closed. It’s a chance to recharge, catch up with your colleagues, meet people from other teams and enjoy the social side of working here.

After lunch, you join the team meeting. This is your chance to step back and see the bigger picture: how the global team is shaping our Public Affairs strategy, what’s happening across different countries and how we can best support our colleagues in the markets. You’ll hear different perspectives, learn about issues you might never have come across before and see how global and local priorities come together.

In the afternoon, you might help prepare a presentation, contribute to an ongoing project or pull together insights from across the business. And just when you think you know what the rest of your day will look like, something new might come up. That’s part of working in Global Government & Public Affairs: the outside world doesn’t always follow your calendar.

By the end of the day, you’ve probably worked on a few very different topics, connected with colleagues from different countries and learned something you didn’t know that morning.

And tomorrow? It might look completely different. That’s what makes it interesting.

The unique you!

We believe great interns come from a variety of backgrounds. If you're curious, eager to learn, and excited about the intersection of business and public affairs, we'd love to hear from you.

To be successful in this internship, you:

• Are currently studying towards a bachelor's or master's degree.

• Have a genuine interest in public affairs, public policy, and current affairs.

• Possess strong analytical and research skills, with an eye for detail.

• Enjoy working in an international environment and collaborating with colleagues from different cultures and backgrounds.

• Have excellent written and spoken English skills. Dutch language skills are of added value for work related to the political developments in the Netherlands.

• Are comfortable using Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and SharePoint.

International experience, whether through study, work, volunteering, or living abroad, is highly valued.

Even if you don't meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. An internship is a learning experience, and we're looking for potential, curiosity, and motivation as much as experience.

Conditions of HEINEKEN

1. You are enrolled at an educational institution for the entire duration of your internship and can provide proof of enrollment for the current academic year during your onboarding.

1. In the case of non-EU nationality, you must be registered as an intern with a Dutch educational institution.

1. In case of EU nationality, you may also be registered as an intern at educational institutions outside the EU.

1. You reside in the Netherlands for the entire duration of your internship. Please note that HEINEKEN does not provide housing.

1. You are in possession of a valid citizen service number (BSN).

Our Internship Conditions

During your time as an intern at HEINEKEN, you’ll work in a dynamic environment where growing and learning are at the heart of everything we do. Together, we brew your future step by step. In addition, we offer you:

• A full-time internship, starting on February 1, 2027

• The duration of the internship is 6 months

• Your home office will be located in Amsterdam

• At HEINEKEN, we work with a hybrid model, typically spending three days a week at the office and two days working from home

• You will receive a monthly internship allowance of €650 gross based on a 40-hour workweek

• You will earn 2 vacation days per month (based on a full-time internship)

• If you do not have a public transport student subscription, your commuting costs will be fully reimbursed.

Interested?

You can easily apply via the green “Apply Now” button by 23 November 2026. In addition to your CV, please include a motivation letter with your application, as we are very curious to hear your story and why this internship appeals to you. Be sure to highlight your understanding of public affairs and/or public policy, international experience, and languages, as well as previous (internship or work) experience, and explain how you think you can contribute to the team. We will then let you know whether you have been selected for an interview by end of November 2026.

The hiring team will get back to you as soon as possible, but please note that the timeline may vary per internship vacancy.

Bring your true self

We know AI is part of today’s world, and chances are, you might use it while preparing your application. That’s absolutely fine. Just remember, we’re genuinely curious about you.
So feel free to use AI as a sparring partner, but make sure your application reflects your own ideas, personality and motivation. That’s what we value most and what helps you stand out.

If you have any questions about the vacancy, feel free to reach out via werkenbijheinekennederland@heineken.com.

Working at HEINEKEN

Every day we work with pride on our great products that you have certainly had in your hand at a party, during a work meeting or at home on the couch. HEINEKEN is much more than just beer. What about brands like Heineken 0.0, Apple Bandit, Amstel Radler and Birra Moretti. We actively work to create a pleasant work environment where everyone feels respected and has equal opportunities. Your personality, knowledge and skills are the success of our organization.

Want to know more about our company? Click here.

Curious what working at HEINEKEN looks like? Have a peek on our Instagram or Facebook!