Director Public Affairs, LATAM

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. 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 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Role:

The Director of Public Affairs - Latin America is a key position within the Canada and Latin America (CALA) Regional Team responsible for identifying opportunities, developing strategy, and directing the execution of external communications programs throughout the region, with strong focus on the EPD regional business, utilizing both traditional communications vehicles as well as digital and social media channels. The Director serves as the media spokesperson and generates/ leverages corporate/ division news to support marketing and reputation initiatives.

Specific functions performed include: identifying and developing compelling storylines that can be told via multiple channels; creating storylines to better tell the Abbott story; creating packaged multichannel content to leverage locally, and globally; reputation management; corporate branding; media relations; crisis/ issues management; marketing communications; advocacy/ professional relations; and working across divisions, with regional leadership, headquarters Public Affairs and Investor Relations, as appropriate.

The Director must be able to think strategically and provide thoughtful counsel to a broad range of internal and external contacts across all levels of management. The candidate will bring deep understanding of the media landscape across Latin America, with special focus on the region's key pharma markets (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru), external best practices and has a track record of success in program execution.

Core Job Responsibilities:

Emphasis is on working with the CALA, Division and Corporate Public Relations teams, as well as business leaders across the region.

• Strategy Development: Sets overall public relations and communications strategy for the EPD business in Latin America, including country PR strategies where the company has leading pharmaceutical businesses, supports Public Affairs efforts across the region by fostering an organizational environment that builds collaborative alliances across the organization. Sets priorities and helps others maintain focus in light of change.
• Marketing Communications: Partners 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. Will work with business divisions and individual affiliates to identify opportunities for positive public relations activities, 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 best achieve these results.

• Media Relations: Works with news media to place positive stories and handle inquiries; serve as primary spokesperson with media. Coordinate/ supervise media visits/ interviews with leaders; coach senior executives and third-party spokespeople on delivery of messages.

• Material Development: Oversees development and approval of messages, press materials 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 business decision making process. Develop issues management plans and oversee execution of plans.

• Measurement: Set metrics to measure effectiveness of internal and external communication efforts.

Position Accountability/Scope:

Team Leadership

• Regularly counsels management on initiatives/ programs/ issues across the CALA region.

• This position reports to the Regional Director of Public Affairs, CALA, who leads Public Affairs across the region. All PA functions have a line reporting relationship to Corporate Public Affairs. This position works with a broad range of internal and external constituencies across all levels of management and functions at both the corporate and division level, including Marketing, Legal, Regulatory Affairs, Operations, Quality, HR, Government Affairs, Investor Relations and Finance.

Department Management

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

Education Requirements:

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

Language Skills & Requirements:

Fluent English and Spanish are necessary. Excellent writing and speaking skills in both languages required.

Experience / Training Required:

• 12+ years communications or public relations experience, including experience in developing consumer PR campaigns. Health care background strongly preferred.
• Proven experience in managing issues in the media.
• Experience developing and implementing media relations and placing stories in top tier publications.
• Strong ability to develop new relationships with editors and journalists and leverage relationships to engage a company or brand.
• Proven writing, verbal and problem-solving skills and 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 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 key learnings, build business plans and work in matrix environment are required competencies.
• Exceptional communication (oral, written, and presentation) and persuasion skills required. Track record of 'achieving results through others' needed.
• Extensive experience working with senior management a must. Ability to influence and build relationships and trust with internal clients and other key stakeholders.
• Experience overseeing PR agencies and leading cross-functional workgroups.
• At ease in a fast-paced operating environment with numerous, sometimes competing priorities.
• Experience counseling clients, offering strategic counsel and pushing back on recommendations when necessary.
• Knowledge of LATAM in general (culture, society, economy, government).

The base pay for this position is
$147,300.00 - $294,700.00
In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY:
Public Relations

DIVISION:
PA Public Affairs

LOCATION:
United States > Hollywood : 4000 Hollywood Boulevard

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:

WORK SHIFT:
Standard

TRAVEL:
Yes, 15 % of the Time

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:
No

SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:
Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day)

Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans.

EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf

EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf