Director of Public Affairs - Johannesburg, South Africa - Abbott Laboratories

Abbott Laboratories

Verified Company

Johannesburg, South Africa

1 week ago

Posted by:

Thabo Mthembu

beBee Recruiter

Description

About Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare leader, creating breakthrough science to improve people's health. We're always looking towards the future, anticipating changes in medical science and technology.

Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals 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 will have access to:

Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
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

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.
-
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 problemsolving 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.
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 crossfunctional workgroups.
A team player who is at ease in a fastpaced operating environment with numerous, sometimes competing priorities.
Experience in counseling clients, offering strategic counsel and pushing back on recommendations when ne