Director, U.S. Commercial Communications

Zoetis • Parsippany, NJ

7d • $185,000 - $266,000

About The Position

The Director, U.S. Commercial Communications leads PR and communication strategies and plans that build brand awareness and advocacy among key audiences, drive business priorities, contribute to sales and align to corporate strategies. This role is responsible for: Driving communications strategy at a global enterprise level for the multi-product osteoarthritis (OA) portfolio for external and internal stakeholders including media, investors (indirectly), veterinarians, colleagues and customers. Serving as "air traffic control" for communications programming related to OA pain to ensure consistent messages and approach for proactive and reactive matters. Directing and leading “Always on” media for OA in the U.S. including spokesperson prep/media training and development of narrative and key messages. Executive presence and ability to present communications components for integrated campaign to members of the executive team. While OA is the near term focus, the Director will bring expertise in communications across all aspects of the product lifecycle from market shaping to in-line positioning to defense strategies with the ability to direct how communications fits into the integrated marketing mix at each stage of the lifecycle. This position has experience with product launches, market shaping, reputational and risk management, internal and external spokesperson management and thinking beyond the tactic along with the ability to convey the benefit of communications while making judgments and decisions based on broader enterprise knowledge. The Director provides trusted communications counsel, leads issues management and crisis communications, and drives leadership and internal communications that build culture and engage employees. The Director is able to navigate and make an impact across a highly matrixed organization, has executive presence, with C-Suite, diplomacy and excellent judgement. Key stakeholders include U.S. Petcare leadership, Global and US OA Portfolio leads and their teams, Global and U.S. Legal, Global and U.S. Regulatory, Global and U.S. Medical Affairs, and U.S. Operations leadership: Corporate Communications, Brand Strategy & Reputation, and Commercial Communications.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required (communications, journalism, English, or related subject).
• 10–12 years in brand/product communications and PR in large, complex organizations
• Ability to: Lead communications at both the strategic and tactical levels
• Provide trusted communications counsel to influence business decisions
• Prioritize competing needs in a fast-paced environment
• Bring innovative and pragmatic thinking to communication issues
• Be a voice for external and internal stakeholder perspectives
• Synthesize complex information for customer and colleague audiences
• Lead development and execution of communication plans, messaging, content, and media relations,
• Leverage cross-functional influence
• Manage projects on time and on budget
• Oversee agency and vendor partnerships to deliver results
• Act with integrity, candor and a sense of ownership for the business

Nice To Haves

• Animal health/pharma/diagnostics/Petcare experience a plus
• Matrix organization exposure beneficial
• Understanding of / experience working in regulatory environments helpful

Responsibilities

• Brand PR and Communications Create PR and communication strategies and plans that build brand awareness and advocacy among veterinary health teams and pet owners, drive business priorities, contribute to sales and align to corporate strategies.
• Drive communications strategy at a global enterprise level for the multi-product osteoarthritis (OA) portfolio for external and internal stakeholders including media, investors (indirectly), veterinarians, colleagues and customers.
• Serve as "air traffic control" for communications programming related to OA pain to ensure consistent messages and approach for proactive and reactive matters.
• Direct and lead “Always on” media for OA in the U.S. including spokesperson prep/media training and development of narrative and key messages.
• Executive presence and ability to present communications components for integrated campaign to members of the executive team.
• Build and execute communication strategies in support of milestones across all aspects of the product lifecycle from market shaping to in-line positioning to defense strategies.
• Direct how communications fits into the integrated marketing mix at each stage of the lifecycle.
• Provide trusted communications counsel, and drive leadership and internal communications that motivate and engage employees
• Lead issues management and crisis communications.
• Develop and execute audience-specific messaging, materials and social content; ensure alignment with Zoetis Corporate and U.S. Petcare brand messaging and standards.
• Lead media relations (earned and paid) and outreach with key trade and consumer outlets
• Manage internal and external spokespeople
• Manage PR agencies, vendors, freelancers, oversee budgets
• Leadership & Colleague Communications Develop and execute internal communication plans and tactics to build culture and engage, motivate and recognize employees
• Provide strategic communications counsel, messaging and materials for U.S. Operations and Global and U.S. Petcare leaders and teams
• Issues and Crisis Communications: Lead product issue/crisis communications; coordinate with corporate media/public affairs to respond swiftly, protect trust, and ensure consistent messaging across channels.
• Partner Cross-Functionally Leverage cross‑functional influence and innovative, pragmatic thinking to prioritize competing needs in a fast‑paced environment.
• Collaborate and partner with colleagues and teams across Commercial, Corporate Affairs, Medical, Regulatory, Legal and other functions teams to achieve common goals, ensure strategic alignment and PR integration, and consistent narratives

Benefits

• This position is also eligible for short-term incentive compensation
• This position is also eligible for long-term incentives
• In addition to compensation, Zoetis offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports the physical, emotional and financial wellbeing of our colleagues and their families including healthcare and insurance benefits beginning on day one, a 401K plan with a match and profit-sharing contribution from Zoetis, and 4 weeks of vacation.
• Visit zoetisbenefits.com to learn more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees