Director Public Affairs - Heart Failure

Abbott • Pleasanton, CA

1d • $172,000 - $344,000

About The Position

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutrition, and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. Working at Abbott At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to: Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists The Opportunity We are currently seeking a Director, Public Affairs (Public Relations), for Abbott’s global Heart Failure devices business, based in Pleasanton, California. This position will report to the Divisional Vice President, Business Public Affairs, who is located at the company’s global headquarters in north suburban Chicago. The Public Affairs director for Abbott's Heart Failure business has global responsibility for public relations, internal and external communications activities and issues management for the business, including key products like Abbott’s HeartMate heart pump and the CardioMEMS pulmonary artery pressure monitoring system. The successful candidate is passionate about health care and medical devices. Seeking a candidate who is a strong storyteller in consumer, tech, and health, and has a proven-track record of driving top-tier media placements, creating compelling internal and external content, managing issues, working with patient and professional associations, and developing consumer and health technology brand PR programming. The candidate will be self-motivated and nimble, thrive in a fast-paced dynamic environment, and have experience in supporting and executing successful PR and communications programs in the US and internationally. Seeking a candidate with the ability to manage multiple projects across a matrixed organization, work collaboratively with corporate groups and other PR teams/agencies, and who has experience in managing issue and crises.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications, business, marketing or related field.
• 12+ years of experience in public relations, media relations and/or communications, with a deep understanding of how to use external communications to enhance reputation.
• Experience working with and counseling senior management.
• Experience working on PR programs, influencer/social media programs, and issues in the U.S. and internationally.
• Consistent track record of excellent writing, communications and project management skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in consumer, healthcare, and/or technology communications.
• Strong experience in developing compelling content for product communications and developing key positioning, messaging, toolkits.
• Strong contacts and working relationships with a variety of top-tier media.
• Proven ability in placing media stories and managing relationships with technology, lifestyle, consumer and business media.
• Experience with international media and media landscapes.
• Experience in working in a regulated environment.
• Able to achieve results while dealing with ambiguity, discretion, and a rapid pace of change.
• Experience in crisis communication and exhibits anticipatory thinking.
• Exhibits strong judgement and executive presence.
• Proven experience in leading digital, social media and influencer projects to build brands.
• Understanding of how to work within a matrixed organization.
• Ability to communicate persuasively and influence others.
• Ability to form authentic and effective relationships both inside and outside the organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead global PR and communications strategy for Abbott’s Heart Failure business.
• Cultivate strong relationships with reporters in both industry trade media (health and medtech) and consumer media (business, health) – driving coverage in top-tier business, financial and consumer media as well as trade journals. Maintain relationships with key contacts through thoughtful, strategic engagement.
• Develop compelling consumer-focused storylines for Abbott’s current products as well as future pipeline. In particular, work with patients and their caregivers, as well as doctors and hospitals, to tell patient and innovation/technology stories.
• Develop integrated, insights-led campaigns that help maintain and enhance Abbott as the leader in heart failure devices.
• Create multimedia, content, influencer, paid/sponsored and social and digital strategies to complement and drive key PR campaigns. Bring to the table an understanding of today's communications environment and serve as an internal expert throughout the division.
• Identify and anticipate issues and work with appropriate functions to counsel management on reputation/business impact and influence business decision making process.
• Provide strategic counsel to marketing and commercial leaders, internal/external partners, and leadership on business-related efforts and initiatives.
• Partner with various stakeholders including regulatory affairs, operations, quality, R&D, HR, government affairs, investor relations, legal, finance and senior management.
• Set metrics to measure effectiveness of public relations and communications efforts.
• Coach senior divisional executives, businesses, regions and third-party spokespeople on delivery of key messages. This role will work in partnership with Public Affairs colleagues in regions and countries outside the U.S., support the development and execution of external public relations strategies and approaches for key product launches/filings, key clinical and real-world data, product awareness programs/outreach and influencer programs.

Benefits

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of
• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year
• An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director