Associate Director - Media Relations and Issues Management

Role Summary

Associate Director, Media Relations & Issues Management is accountable for establishing and leading Novo Nordisk's strategic media relations programs across key priorities to enhance the visibility and positive reputation of Novo Nordisk at the local and national levels, to position the company favorably among its key external audiences; and to ensure public understanding of the company's mission, business goals and philosophies.

Responsibilities

• Media Relations:
  • Serves as a spokesperson for the company; establishes and maintains contact with key media targets at national and local levels. Anticipates and responds to media inquiries
  • Develops and drives a proactive media relations programs, as part of integrated communications planning, to generate positive coverage for Novo Nordisk USO in business, healthcare, financial and consumer press, with PR agency support
  • Creates the strategy to leverage new media as a key channel to build awareness of the company and positively shape stakeholder perceptions
  • Directs development of media strategies and key message platforms, prepares/coaches senior management for media interviews and external speaking opportunities; and works with reporters to ensure accurate media reporting
  • Leads communications excellence activities that contribute to leadership development within the USO LT via media training, storytelling, crisis/issues management readiness
  • Ensures alignment between key colleagues/teams in HQ to ensure US perspectives are included in global issues. Provides update to USO Comms LT on key issues/crises/trends
  • Engages with leaders across the USO Communications Department and enterprise, as relevant, partnering on integrated planning to drive business and reputational goals. Pulls through one integrated (corporate and commercial) narrative consistently across all aspects of media, issues and crisis communications which resonates across consumers and other key audiences, as validated through testing

• Measurement:
  • Contributes to developing integrated metrics that demonstrate the value of media/issues communications back to corporate reputation/business objectives

• Issues Management:
  • Conducts assessment of potential issues facing the company, leveraging market insights, AI and media intelligence; devises plans to anticipate and mitigate issues; and counsels senior leaders on response strategy and public responses
  • Serves as Media Relations lead for USO Crisis Response Teams (CRTs), as required

• Team Management:
  • Helps manage communications budgets; accountable for executing programs within budget parameters. Optimize agency spend by looking for opportunities to maximize value

Qualifications

• A Bachelor‚Äôs degree from an accredited institution is required. Advanced degree preferred
• A minimum of 12 years of progressive communications or other relevant experience (e.g. Public Relations, Media Relations) required
• Experience in a public relations agency environment and/or the pharmaceutical industry preferred. Experience in sales or another marketing function will be considered
• Proven strategic planning, media relations and issues/crisis management skills are essential for this position
• Demonstrated success in creating strategic direction, plans and proven ability to drive and sustain business improvement and results
• Ability to work under tight timelines, in what can be a stressful environment with limited planning or preparation
• Ability to demonstrate business acumen and work across all levels of the business with the skills to coach and influence leaders
• Proven ability to effectively manage projects and influence individuals, teams and stakeholders
• Able to work effectively in a cross-functional, collaborative environment with global as well as regional considerations and, sometimes, political implications
• Proven understanding of integrated media, social and digital platforms and strategies

Education

• A Bachelor‚Äôs degree from an accredited institution is required. Advanced degree preferred

Additional Requirements

• 10-20% overnight travel required.