Public Affairs & Public Relations Manager - External Communications, Health

Wolters Kluwer•Waltham, MA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Wolters Kluwer is seeking a talented Public Relations Manager, External Communications, to support its Health division, with a focus on the Health Learning, Research & Practice (HLRP) business. This role requires a strong background in PR and media relations, along with established relationships across healthcare, trade, and mainstream media. The successful candidate will develop and execute strategic external communications programs that drive visibility, credibility, and engagement for HLRP solutions, innovations, and thought leaders, particularly across the Lippincott and Ovid brands and select Expert AI offerings. Experience engaging with healthcare, education, research, and technology-focused media and analysts is critical for success. Wolters Kluwer is a global leader in professional information, software solutions, and services, combining deep domain expertise with specialized technology. Our solutions empower professionals to make confident decisions that advance healthcare, improve outcomes, and support high-quality education, research, and clinical practice. Every day, our customers rely on us to help them get it right. In this role, you will serve as a trusted communications partner to the Health Learning, Research & Practice (HLRP) leadership team within Wolters Kluwer Health, helping shape and deliver impactful external communications that influence key audiences, primarily healthcare, trade, and mainstream media, as well as relevant industry analysts. Reporting to the Health division Director of External Communications and aligned within the Global Branding, Communications and Digital Marketing (GBCM) organization, you will play a central role in protecting and promoting Wolters Kluwer Health’s reputation while supporting business growth and long-term value creation. You will lead high-impact initiatives to enhance external visibility for HLRP solutions, executives, subject matter experts, and power brands, with particular emphasis on Lippincott, Ovid, and select Expert AI offerings. Working closely with business leaders, product teams, marketing, and functional partners across geographies, you will bring alignment, consistency, and creativity to media relations and PR efforts across priority markets, ensuring all external communications resonate with customers and support Health division strategic objectives. This is an opportunity to join a high-performing, collaborative global communications team and make a meaningful impact in healthcare, education, and research. If you are a results-driven communications professional with strong PR and media relations expertise, healthcare industry knowledge, and the ability to operate both strategically and independently in a dynamic environment, this role offers a compelling platform to do your best work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, or journalism.
At least 7 years of media relations/external communications experience (all within a corporate or public relations agency environment)
Existing set of strong contacts across Tier 1 media, trade publications, and broadcast
Experience with crisis communications, including legal, investor and public relations implications.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with all levels of management.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Meticulous, able to work independently and as a contributor in a team environment.
Strong organizational, time management and interpersonal skills
Flexible and responsive to change.
Native fluency in English.
Strong overall media relations expertise including in-depth experience with relevant tools, tactics, strategies, data, reporting, and analytics.
Deep level of expertise in message development & content creation
Outstanding communication skills (verbal, written and interpersonal)
Adept at understanding and prioritizing complex information, reporting, and requests.
Rigorous attention to detail and a strong focus on accuracy, with exceptional research and analytical skills.
Exceptional organizational skills; must be able to juggle simultaneous projects.
A strong team ethic, keen to learn new skills, share expertise and accept feedback.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degrees or certifications in external comms and marketing are a plus.
Superb writing and editing skills and a strong sense of narrative and storytelling.
Excellent creative thinker, with an ability to quickly understand a breadth of information and simplify the communication.
Ability to verbally relay concepts, goals, and project plans to all parties involved in the execution of said plans.
Ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams as well as working in long-distance situations.
Ability to read and understand industry specific documents and/or presentations.
Ability to author routine reports and correspondence.
Experience with AI prompting and use of GenAI tools in communications.
Fluency in other European languages is a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a PR/external communications plan that supports Health division strategies and HLRP business priorities; monitor and apply knowledge of external trends and advise cross functional teams to generate rapid and meaningful results.
Regularly provide standardized reporting and analysis to the business leaders, VP of Communications and Brand, and leadership team demonstrating progressive improvements in effective positioning and compelling content aligned with media relations and digital strategy.
Monitor and measure external communications performance using industry software such as Meltwater, Public Relay, and other PR management solutions.
Directly manage press release posting on website and newswire services.
Independently manage a regular cadence of stakeholder and agency meetings to ensure external comms initiatives are aligned with business priorities.
Develop, write, and distribute externally focused communications assets supporting a broad range of initiatives such as press releases, holding statements, FAQs, bylined articles, mergers/acquisition comms plans and rapid response to inbound inquiries or media opportunities including a steady cadence requesting access to research and journal articles.
Support executives/ thought leaders with media trainings, development of executive talking points, media statements, PoVs and speaking engagement proposals, and support for internal communications and social media leads.
Nurture strategic partnerships with key media outlets, industry publications, analysts, influencers securing onsite meetings at key industry events and generating briefings, coverage and inclusion in reports reaching top stakeholders.
Create strong relationships with HLRP internal stakeholders to maintain a steady, cohesive cadence of PR programs and results and ensure effective distribution through the company website, social media channels, and any relevant third-party sites / platforms.
Maintain and manage PR review / approval processes; use best practices and drive continuous improvement.
Manage/liaise with external agency partners to optimize resources and results while providing consistent, effective messaging and results.
With other GBCM and Health communications and marketing colleagues, participate in the creation of overview presentations and cross Business and Wolters Kluwer stories for external use as needed.
Identify and assess potential issues and implement appropriate actions to both promote and protect our reputation.
Serve as first level crisis communications support working with division team and respond to inbound inquiries according to communications and crisis policies, particularly in relation to journal research.
Work quickly and independently with support on complex situations, collaborating successfully as one Wolters Kluwer.
Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, evolving environment while managing multiple priorities with focus and composure.
Proven relationship builder who collaborates seamlessly across functions, aligning diverse stakeholders toward shared goals.
Highly resilient with a strong “can‑do” mindset; takes full ownership of initiatives from concept through execution and delivery.
Special projects as appropriate.