Director - Media Relations & Issues Management

About the Department         

The Communications Department brings the value of Novo Nordisk medicines and innovations to life through strategic communications that elevate our purpose, drive our business, foster our culture and enhance our reputation with patients, customers, employees and society in the US.  Communications is comprised of four distinct yet synergistic teams that work collaboratively with a focus on proactive and progressive approaches to:  Corporate Reputation & Brand; Commercial Communications; Enterprise & Leadership Communications; and Digital Channels & Content.  We provide objective strategic communications counsel, an ability to flex with shifting organizational priorities and emerging needs and a strong focus on ethics and discretion with the sensitive information we are entrusted with.  As part of Team Novo Nordisk, you will have an opportunity to work with extraordinary, energizing and diverse talent where your distinct perspectives and expertise are valued as we work together to change lives for the better.

The Position

This Director, Media Relations & Issues Management is accountable for establishing and leading Novo Nordisk's strategic media relations program 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. This position contributes to the achievement of portfolio and corporate objectives, including attaining sales goals and improving Novo Nordisk's overall reputation. This position is responsible for identifying and addressing issues of significant concern and complexity to the company, creating strategically sound solutions that will minimize negative impact on the company's business and reputation. As the company's primary spokesperson, the incumbent is in the public eye and has the potential to dramatically influence stakeholder perceptions.

Relationships

Reports to the Senior Director, Corporate Reputation & Brand, and interacts with senior leaders across all areas of Novo Nordisk Inc. (NNI), including NNI President/Executive Office, Commercial, Market Access and Public Affairs, Legal, Finance and Investor Relations, CMR, Regulatory and other cross functional teams as needed. Key relationships in NN/AS include senior leaders, corporate communications, product communications, and corporate branding. Key external relationships include national and local journalists (print and broadcast; trade; business and consumer media; bloggers); local and regional community leaders; select professional and patient/consumer third party groups; and public relations agencies. This job is an influential individual contributor.

Essential Functions

• Media Relations:
  • Serves as a chief 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 program to generate positive coverage for NNI in business, 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 shape stakeholder perceptions in line with the Corporate Reputation strategy
  • 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 shape/influence story coverage
  • Leads communications excellence activities that contribute to leadership development within the NNI 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 NNI Comms LT on key issues/crises/trends
• Corporate Communications:
  • Drives the one communications plan concept for maximum effect in earned/paid media channels, while also integrating internal tactics to ensure effective pull through of messages to employees
  • Supports an executive thought leadership program to position the Executive team among key media

• Corporate Brand:
  • Manages public relations agency in the development and execution of corporate media relations activities in support of reputation campaign activities
  • Identifies external opportunities, with agency partner, to bring NNI story to life and works with the Manager, Corporate Communications to direct a cross-functional team in support of corporate brand activation
• Measurement:
  • Contributes to developing metrics that demonstrate the value of communications back to corporate reputation/business objectives

• Issues management:
  • Conducts assessment of potential issues facing the company; devises plans to anticipate and mitigate issues; and counsels senior leaders (NNI, NNAS, Site Clayton, Seattle Research Center) on response strategy and public responses
  • Serves as Media Relations lead for NNI’s Crisis Response Team
• Social/Digital Media:
  • Strategizes with the Manager, Social Media Relations in the creation of content supporting the reputation strategy

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

Physical Requirements

10-20% overnight travel required.

Development of People

Supervisory, ensure that reporting personnel have individual development plans (IDP), with annual goals and measurements that are consistent with the priorities of the business, and that interim reviews are held so that their work is focused on those priorities, and they understand their level of accountability for results and the measurement process. Ensure that the IDP forms include completed learning and aspiration plans and are in place for all reporting personnel to enable the achievement of goals and capability to assume increased levels of responsibility. Manage the application and communication of all Novo Nordisk policies, procedures, and Novo Nordisk Way.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 12 years of communications or other relevant experience required
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required. Advanced degree preferred
• 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
• 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 social media platforms and digital strategies

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk we recognize that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and communities we operate in. Together, we’re life changing.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.