Cornelis (Cees) van der Knaap (born 27 January 1951) is a Dutch politician.

After attending a MULO school, Van der Knaap worked for Vroom & Dreesmann.

In 1992 he became a member of the national board of the federal trade union, first as coordinator working conditions, later as general secretary.

Van der Knaap is a trustee of Jan Peter Balkenende, and has been an important contact between the cabinet and the trade unions in times of crisis.

Van der Knaap has become mayor of Ede in 2008,[1] his successor as State Secretary was Jack de Vries.