Director Of Public Affairs - SSA at Abbott

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Work across Sub-Saharan Africa with Division and Corporate Public Affairs teams and business leaders, with the sole focus of being the guardian of Abbott’s most precious asset – our reputation.

• Strategy Development: Set overall public relations and communications strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa across all businesses. Lead and support Public Affairs efforts by fostering an organizational environment that builds collaborative alliances across the organization. Set priorities and help others maintain focus.
• Marketing Communications:  Partner with Public Affairs division and commercial colleagues to develop innovative, integrated Public Affairs strategies and tactics that will position our brands positively, drive demand creation, and advance our company reputation – making Abbott a household name. Work with business divisions to identify opportunities for positive public relations programs, ensuring strategies/tactics meet program goals/deadlines and are consistent with division and corporate policies.  Leverage all appropriate communication vehicles to deliver messages and engage consumers, employees, and healthcare professionals, including relevant social media channels. Accountable for identifying media influencers and tools to achieve the best results.
• Media Relations:  A top-notch and skilled media relations professional, the right candidate will understand the importance news media plays in achieving our objectives. (S)he will leverage media relationships to place earned stories, seek appropriate coverage and work to make Abbott leaders a source of information; handle inquiries; serve as primary spokesperson. Coordinate/supervise media visits/interviews with leaders; coach senior executives, employees and third-party spokespeople on delivering messages; and deliver media training to leaders, third-parties and others.
• Material Development: Oversee the development and approval of messages, create compelling press materials, including storylines and other communications tools, including social and on-line media. 
• Issues Management: Identify and anticipate issues and work with appropriate functions to counsel management on reputation/business impact and influence the decision-making process.  Develop issues management plans and oversee execution.
• Measurement:  Set metrics to measure the effectiveness of internal and external communication efforts.

DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT

• Oversee contractors and PR agency resources who contribute to department goals. Hires and coordinates efforts of PR agencies.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required in journalism, public relations, communications, business, marketing or related field. Advanced degree strongly preferred.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• 12+ years of communications or public relations experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, including experience in developing consumer PR campaigns and people management at Director level. Consumer or Healthcare background strongly preferred.
• Proven experience managing media issues.
• Experience in developing and implementing media relations programs and placing stories in top tier publications.
• Strong ability to develop new relationships with editors and journalists and leverage relationships to tell Abbott stories and place them.
• Proven written, verbal, and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated success in developing and executing communications that impact reputation. Previous PR experience/responsibilities include extensive issues management, media strategy, media relationships, social media, stakeholder engagement, and PR program development.
• Demonstrated experience in the creation and deployment of successful social media campaigns to meet strategic business objectives is required – 5+ years of experience required.
• Strong critical thinking skills; ability to synthesize complex information, apply learnings, build strategic business plans, and work in a matrix environment are required competencies.
• Exceptional communication (oral, written, and presentation) and persuasion skills required. Track record of achieving results.
• Extensive experience working with senior management (General Manager level and above) is a must. Ability to influence and build relationships and trust with internal clients and other key stakeholders.
• Experience in overseeing PR agencies and leading cross-functional workgroups.
• A team player who is at ease in a fast-paced operating environment with numerous, sometimes competing priorities.
• Experience in counseling clients, offering strategic counsel and pushing back on recommendations when necessary.