Director Media and Issues Engagement

Johnson & Johnson•Brunswick, OH

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a hybrid, in-person role that will be located in New Brunswick, NJ. The Director will lead our efforts to strengthen and protect Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) reputation on matters related to our Innovative Medicine (IM) business. This role will serve as a senior strategic advisor and operational lead for managing high-risk/ high-profile external engagements, media response, and reputation-sensitive issues across our global business. A key role within the IM Communications and Public Affairs (IM CPA) team, the Director will report to the Vice President, IM CPA and lead the communications strategy for complex, high-stakes issues, including litigation, regulatory developments, product scrutiny, data privacy incidents, and other reputational risk matters. Leading a team of 2-3 people, this role will coordinate closely with Legal, Privacy, Regulatory, Medical, Media Relations, business partners, and global colleagues across IM CPA. This position partners closely with our J&J Enterprise functions and provides sector-level guidance on how, when, and whether J&J engages externally on high-profile and/or matters with reputational risk—ensuring communications are accurate, compliant, strategically aligned, and enhance reputation across global markets.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree: advanced degree in Communications, Public Relations, or a related field strongly preferred.
10+ years of progressive experience in executive or corporate communications, with a proven track record of strategic leadership in a complex, global organization.
An effective oral communicator who can present plans and concepts to executives at Johnson & Johnson and serve as a spokesperson for the company.
Proven experience partnering with C-suite executives and senior leadership teams.
Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills; ability to translate complex concepts into clear, compelling messages for diverse audiences.
Expertise in strategic planning, engagement, and crisis communications.
Strong leadership and team development capabilities, with a dedication to fostering an inclusive and high-performing culture.
Track record of successfully managing communications across a matrix.
Proficiency in digital communication platforms and analytics tools.
High degree of integrity, discretion, and good judgment.
Natural collaborator with the ability to work efficiently and effectively across global teams.
Corporate Communications Strategy
Leadership
Stakeholder Management

Nice To Haves

Agility Jumps
Brand Identity
Brand Recognition
Communications Measurement
Competitive Landscape Analysis
Corporate Management
Cultural Competence
Customer Experience Management
External Communication
Product Knowledge
Relationship Building
Tactical Planning
Technical Credibility

Responsibilities

Partner with J&J Enterprise colleagues to strengthen strategic frameworks and standard operating procedures for responding to scenarios that impact our business & reputation.
Collaborate across Global Corporate Affairs, Regulatory, and the Global Legal Organization to ensure we are prepared for pending issues and emerging trends and to protect the reputation of the sector and enterprise.
Develop reactive messaging, talking points, message maps, and strategic communication strategies for sensitive situations, ensuring legal and reputational considerations are appropriately balanced.
Monitor media and stakeholder activity related to identified risks and advise leadership on response, posture, timing, and escalation to senior management.
Draft, review, edit, and approve reactive media statements, Q&A for external partners, and other communications around the world.
Provide real‑time counsel to regional communications teams on leading urgent media deadlines, approval flows, and executive alignment during fast‑moving situations.
Ensure consistency of messaging across markets while allowing for appropriate local nuance, particularly on sensitive or legally complex topics.
Create playbooks and other guidance to enhance the skills of IM CPA colleagues related to media and issues standards and governance/guidance.
Manage budget, vendors and technology that enables the Company to monitor the external environment and prepare before issues emerge.
Ensure consistent excellence and drive proactive and reactive media engagement for Innovative Medicine topics in coordination with TA communications leaders.
Develop and maintain media materials (press statements, FAQs, briefing documents, executive talking points) and ensure approvals are secured efficiently.
Help prepare leaders and subject-matter experts for interviews and media opportunities, including message discipline, anticipated questions, and rehearsal support.
Monitor the media landscape to identify emerging risks and opportunities; elevate insights and recommendations.
Build constructive working relationships with internal partners across communications and business partners to enable timely responses and coordinated outreach.
Develop systems and tools to scale efficient management of media relationships, pitches, and engagement plans to enable effective media engagement across IM CPA.
Serve as a key advisor for external media and speaking engagements, counsel on routing, escalation, and approval requirements under J&J’s Media & Speaking Engagement Policy.
Assess external engagement requests for reputational, policy, and enterprise risk; determine when engagements require formal Risk Review or senior‑level visibility.
Contribute to the development, refinement, and rollout of enterprise communications policies and guidance, including media engagement procedures, press release standards, and other reputation-enhancing policies.
Support change management efforts to operationalize new engagement rules, workflows, and governance structures across global regions.
Act as a trusted advisor to senior communications leadership and Legal partners on sensitive reputational matters and external positioning.
Coordinate closely with Global Corporate Affairs leadership to determine when issues warrant executive‑level review or enterprise escalation.
Facilitate alignment across global, regional, and functional teams to ensure cohesive decision‑making under pressure.

Benefits

Employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).
This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s long-term incentive program.
Vacation –120 hours per calendar year
Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year
Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year
Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child
Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year
Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period
Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year