The Position

This position is responsible for shaping and leading the US Global Manufacturing & Supply (GMS) local media relations, employer brand and reputation activities, communications issues management, external stakeholder relations with media and social influencers in each state and local media market where Novo Nordisk operates a manufacturing facility. This position works collaboratively with communication colleagues at USO and Global on a variety of integrated communications activities and programs across corporate channels to support and demonstrate the broader manufacturing and local business leader reputation of the company, including the company's Sustainable Business model. This position plays a key role in establishing and positively positioning the company's Social License to Operate among key external audiences to ensure public understanding of the company's purpose, mission, business goals, recruiting and company workplace culture while serving as a liaison and communication resource for employer brand and talent attraction teams across Novo Nordisk's US GMS sites. This position builds and maintains trusted relationships with local business and healthcare media, plus other external influencers and offers deep expertise on media relations issues management and crisis communications. The position is responsible for preparing and media training key company spokespeople, and serves as a critical communications advisor and counsellor to US GMS Senior Leaders on high-stakes media and reputational matters. The position also serves as the US GMS Lead for cross-functional Crisis Response Teams, ensuring preparedness and coordinated response for all US manufacturing sites.

Relationships

Reports to Director.

Essential Functions

• Sets & leads the development and implementation of the US Global Manufacturing & Supply's local media relations and Employer Brand and Reputation Strategy; assesses related branding opportunities and strategies and advances recommendations designed to inform the business of reputational implications
• Partners with internal stakeholders to ensure key NN brand messages are fully and appropriately leveraged and consistent across all US GMS sites and aligned and complimentary with USO's Corporate Brand strategy, as well as Global Corporate Affairs communication targets
• Responsible for US GMS' strategic approach to issues management, embedding and continuously improving crisis communications protocols, ensuring readiness and resilience and counselling US GMS site leaders on business-critical issues and reputational risks, when necessary
• Shapes and protects one integrated US GMS narrative consistently across all aspects of media, issues and crisis communications which resonates across key audiences as validated through testing
• Develops, manages, and drives a proactive media relations program to generate positive coverage for US GMS in local business and industry press
• Builds relationships and leverages new media as a key channel to build awareness and shape the reputation of the company's manufacturing and local employer reputation, in line with the USO's broader corporate brand strategy
• Conducts assessment of potential issues facing the US GMS; develops, manages, and drives reactive media relations program to anticipate and mitigate issues; and counsels all US GMS leaders on response strategy and public responses; Serves as key member of each GMS site's Crisis Response Team
• Prepares/coaches chief GMS spokesperson and other senior management for media interviews and external speaking opportunities; and works with reporters to shape/influence story coverage
• Key external relationships include local journalists (print and broadcast; trade; business and consumer media; bloggers); local and regional community leaders; select professional, business, and industry third party groups; and public relations agencies
• Identifies, sets strategic direction for and manages Agency of Record for media relations and issues/crisis communications management; Oversees agency resourcing, RFPs, sets spend for team projects and oversees budget planning to ensure alignment with business priorities and value creation
• Follow all safety and environmental requirements in the performance of duties
• Other accountabilities, as assigned

Physical Requirements

Ability to work in an open office environment with the possibility of frequent distraction. Ability to travel up to 10% of the time. (% can change on a case-by-case basis based on the role.)

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Organizational Communications, Public Relations, Organizational development, or related field of study from an accredited university required
• Master's degree in related field of study preferred
• Minimum of ten (10) years of public affairs/media relations and internal and external communication experience required
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in strategic planning and implementation of external media relations and organizational communication activities, to include issue/crisis management required
• Experience in a public relations agency environment and/or the pharmaceutical industry preferred
• Demonstrated success in creating strategic direction, plans and proven ability to drive and sustain business improvement and results required
• Proven ability to handle unforeseen changes in a fast-paced working environment required
• Proven ability to demonstrate business acumen and work across all levels of the business required
• Proven ability to effectively manage projects and influence individuals, teams, and stakeholders required
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional, collaborative environment with global as well as regional considerations and sometimes political implications