Director of Communications, Issues Management and Crisis Mitigation (Hybrid - Rahway, NJ)

MSD • Rahway, NJ

342d • $169,700 - $267,200

About The Position

The Director, Issues Management and Crisis Mitigation is responsible for driving comprehensive issues preparedness and management strategies and crisis communication plans to protect and enhance the company’s reputation. This person must be able to identify areas of reputational risk, navigate high-pressure situations effectively and collaborate with internal teams across the organization, including legal, regulatory affairs and senior management to develop strategies and execute plans. This role involves monitoring risks and threats to the business and reputation, conducting risk assessments and scenario plans, developing issues preparedness and mitigation plans and coordinating and executing crisis management strategies and plans to protect the company's interests. The role may also involve coordination and participation in reputation recovery campaigns, if necessary. The Director, Issues Management and Crisis Mitigation, will report into the Associate Vice President, External Affairs. This person will serve as the primary point of contact for all issues management and crisis-related communications and collaborate cross-functionally to provide guidance and support during high-profile incidents or issues.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism or a related field.
• 10 years of in-house or agency experience in a communications role or similar function, with a preference for experience in pharma, biotech or a highly regulated industry.
• Prior experience leading crisis response and issues management.
• Strong understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, including regulatory frameworks and compliance issues.
• Proven track record in leading projects or initiatives with multiple stakeholders across functions and regions, achieving results that meet objectives within timelines and budgets.
• Exceptional collaboration skills with the ability to work across all levels of the organization to drive strong business outcomes.
• Meticulous attention to detail and superior verbal, written and editing skills.
• Positive attitude and proactive approach to finding compliant solutions to challenges.
• Willingness to travel (domestic and international), as required.

Responsibilities

• Work across functions to monitor for, address and manage issues that impact the pharmaceutical industry, such as healthcare access, affordability, social determinants of health and other public health concerns.
• Work with digital communications team and utilize social listening to stay informed about potential crisis triggers and emerging pharmaceutical industry and healthcare issues, as well as societal issues that can impact industry leaders and large employers.
• Drive the implementation of issues management strategies that anticipate potential reputational challenges, outlining reactive and/or proactive issues management or crisis communication plans to mitigate or minimize reputational impact.
• Maintain risk assessments, scenario plans, crisis communication plans, protocols and tools to ensure they are up-to-date, actionable and ready for timely and strategic activation.
• Create and maintain crisis communication materials, including press releases, Q&A documents and internal memos.
• Provide clear, timely and accurate updates to employees, media and other stakeholders during crises.
• Monitor and analyze media coverage and public sentiment to inform communication strategies.
• Prepare and train spokespersons for media interactions and public statements.
• Conduct crisis simulation exercises and drills to test the effectiveness of communication plans, identify areas for improvement and enhance the crisis response capabilities of the communications team.
• Conduct post-crisis analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies, identify lessons learned, make recommendations for continuous improvement and improve future responses.

Benefits

• Bonus eligibility
• Long term incentive if applicable
• Health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• Retirement benefits
• Paid holidays
• Vacation
• Sick days

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree