Senior Manager - Media Relations & Public Affairs - Surgical Equipment Firm

About the company

This company is a global leader in the field of cutting edge, premium surgical equipment.

Primary Function of Position:

As a member of the Global Public Affairs team, the Manager of Media Relations & Public Affairs is responsible for contributing to all facets of the team's mission to protect and promote the company.

The primary focus of the role is to develop and execute a strategic media relations program for the business in India, including:

Disseminating the corporate narrative while pursuing proactive positive media coverage; serving as a company media contact in India; working cross-functionally with subject matter experts in country as well as at corporate headquarters in the US and around the world; triaging media inquiries; drafting media statements, press releases and other press materials, working closely with media relations counterparts around the world to proactively share best practices and reactively manage crisis communications; and driving consistency of media messaging and positioning, while supporting functional development across the enterprise. The role is also responsible for supporting public affairs work in India, particularly as 3rd-party advocacy and engagement with other stakeholder audiences.

The role will also support thought-leadership and conference participation in India, and may in the future support corporate social media.

Roles and Responsibilities:

This position will support the advancement of the Global Public Affairs team, which includes the following responsibilities:

Media Relations

- Execute against a comprehensive media relations and public affairs strategy.

- Triage day-to-day media inquiries and respond accordingly

- Manage the day-to-day relationship with India media relations/PR agency

- Draft media statements and other draft and update additional press materials in real-time to respond to media inquiries and manage the internal approval process with HQ; India leadership, legal, regulatory etc.

- Develop key media relationships; proactively pitch stories

- Provide media counsel and training to internal spokespeople, including executives, as required

- Ensure consistency of corporate messaging and positioning within the Indian market, while tailoring responses as appropriate to address cultural nuances

- Identify proactive story-telling opportunities within the Indian market and pitch accordingly

- Develop strong relationships with marketing, legal, compliance, investor relations, clinical and sales management teams to ensure alignment

- Draft materials required to help communicate the company's policy positions and/or in support of the Indian government affairs strategy in conjunction with the General Manager and the Global Public Affairs team at the U.S. corporate headquarters.

- Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines.

- Excellent communication skills, especially ability to express key points quickly, clearly and concisely.

- Ability to work independently yet in coordination with GPA team members in different countries.

- Responsive and focused on executing in a fast-paced environment.

Writing and Editing

- Demonstrated superior writing and editing skills; including but not limited to: press releases, media plans, statements, and materials; corporate slide presentations, and clinical and policy communications.

Market Knowledge

- Previous experience in a healthcare company: medical device, pharmaceutical, biotech; or a similarly regulated industry.

- Previous experience working for a US or foreign-based company.

- Previous experience working within a corporate matrixed environment is preferred.

- Understanding key industry issues

- Experience in policy communications and thought-leadership/conference strategy is preferred.

Skill/Job Requirements:

- Minimum 7-10 years- experience in media relations and PR, with at least half of that in a corporate environment.

- Experience educating colleagues about best practices in media relations/PR under the rubric of a Global Public Affairs function in order to build trust and credibility.

- Demonstrated experience effectively working with print, broadcast and on-line/digital media.

- Experience working in a global corporate environment.

- Superior writing, editing and persuasion skills.

- Deadline oriented and able to work effectively under pressure to meet media requests.

- Flexible, calm and experienced in providing strategic counsel during time-sensitive situations.

- Willing to contribute to projects that fall outside of core responsibilities, as needed.

- Able to execute effectively in a fast-paced environment.

- Self-starter who is able to manage day-to-day operations while remaining in constant contact with direct supervisor.

- Extensive media relations, PR, corporate communications and/or journalism experience required.

- Interest or experience in the medical device, healthcare or technology sectors.

- Excellent communication skills

- Degree from an accredited university or college.