Dir, Communications

Novartis is a world leader in offering medicines to protect health, cure disease and improve well-being. Our goal is to discover, develop and successfully market innovative products to treat patients, ease suffering and to enhance the quality of life. We also seek to provide a return to shareholders that reflects our performance and to adequately reward those who invest ideas and resources in our company.

Located at our global headquarters in Emeryville, California, Novartis Diagnostics is constantly finding revolutionary ways to protect the blood supply, and diagnose and monitor patients. Novartis Diagnostics is actively transforming the landscape of disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment with state-of-the-art nucleic acid testing and advanced molecular science. As part of Novartis Corporation, which has operations in 140 countries and on 5 continents; we provide a truly global environment. This means you will have more opportunities to advance your career and to make a real impact around the world. We invite you to join us!
Reporting to the Head of Global Communications and VP, Global Marketing, Novartis Diagnostics the Director of Communications is a multi-functional role to support both the communication needs of the diagnostics business and internal / external communications by/for Novartis Diagnostics.
Primary Responsibilities:

In support of the diagnostics business strategy, this role is responsible for managing the business communications with key stakeholders including external media. This position makes a measurable, on-going and positive contribution to the business environment through a clear, comprehensive communication strategy. This role also provides direct input on all strategic brand communications and media planning. Responsible for insuring adequate and appropriate internal and external communications in support of business operations. You will oversee the reputation of the business unit within the global community and serves as NEM (Novartis Emergency Management) communicator for the business unit. Will have a Diagnostics marketing communication oversight role which has responsibility for diagnostic marketing materials, website, promotional literature and overall brand strategy. Develops and implements communications strategy specific to the business for internal and external communications including media relations, employee communications and electronic media communications. Provides strategic communications counsel to diagnostics business head. Creates and leads implementation of a media relations strategy for diagnostics business. Develops strategies for, and manages communications for the business and provides communications counsel in emergency and crisis situations. Provides input into the execution of Diagnostics marketing materials, website, promotional literature and brand strategy.
Requirements:

Bachelors degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field required. Minimum of 7-10 years of healthcare/pharma PR experience required. Understanding of diagnostics market desired. Ability for strategic thinking and planning Proven Media relations experience. Understanding of regulatory and scientific aspects of the diagnostics business. Experience managing PR agencies. Highly responsive, ethical and collaborative team player.Novartis Vaccines & Diagnotics is a new division of Novartis consisting of two businesses focusing on the development of preventive treatments and tools. Novartis Vaccines is the world's fifth largest vaccines manufacturer and second-largest of flu vaccines in the United States an equal opportunity employer.