Associate Director, Communications – France

MSD France SAS; Beaucouzé; Presencial; EUR 90.000 - 130.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

MSD France SAS is seeking a senior communications leader to direct and execute the France Animal Health communications strategy, aligning with global priorities and strengthening both external reputation and internal engagement across France and EURAM markets.

This role reports to the regional AH communications leadership, translating business priorities into strategic comms plans, advising senior leaders, and guiding the team to deliver impactful campaigns within a fast-paced, regulated

Formación

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business, or a related field.
• Significant experience in corporate communications, public affairs, or related strategic communications roles; PR agency experience a plus.
• Proven track record leading communications in a complex, matrixed multinational environment.
• Strong experience advising senior leaders and managing high-priority internal and external communications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in French and English.
• Demonstrated ability to energize a team, organize events, influence stakeholders, manage priorities, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Responsabilidades

• Lead development and execution of France communications strategy aligned with global/regional priorities.
• Serve on the market Leadership Team.
• Ensure consistent messaging reflecting the global Animal Health brand and narrative.
• Strengthen external reputation through proactive, high-impact communications with key stakeholders and channels.
• Drive internal communications and employee engagement supporting the AH strategic framework.
• Advise business leaders in France, shaping communication approaches to meet objectives.
• Prioritize activities to deploy resources to critical initiatives and audiences.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure integrated communication plans.
• Support management of issues, opportunities, and high-sensitivity communications.
• Ensure adherence to global practices for media relations, employee comms, reputation, and compliance.
• Collaborate with PR agencies and manage related product budgets for comprehensive plans.
• Monitor market trends and reputational risks to inform strategy.
• Measure and report on effectiveness of campaigns and activities.

Conocimientos

Strategic thinking

Executive communication and influence

Stakeholder management

Business acumen

Brand and reputation management

Cross-functional collaboration

Change communication

Judgment and prioritization

Leadership and coaching

Internal engagement / event organizing

Educación

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business, or a related field

Descripción del empleo

The Associate Director, Communications – France is a critical leadership role responsible for leading and executing the Animal Health (AH) communications strategy for the France market, one of the top five AH strategic markets in the Europe, Russia, Africa and Middle East region (EURAM). This role ensures alignment with the global Animal Health story and brand, enhances external reputation, and drives strong internal engagement across the market in support of the global AH strategic framework.

The Associate Director, Communications – France is a critical leadership role responsible for leading and executing the Animal Health (AH) communications strategy for the France market, one of the top five AH strategic markets in the Europe, Russia, Africa and Middle East region (EURAM). This role ensures alignment with the global Animal Health story and brand, enhances external reputation, and drives strong internal engagement across the market in support of the global AH strategic framework.

The communication leader for France reports to EURAM AH Communications lead and takes part to the EURAM strategy for communication in a collaborative approach.

As a trusted strategic partner to the business, the role translates business priorities into effective communication strategies that support growth, adapt to evolving market needs, and strengthen the organization’s visibility and influence across France and the broader region. The role also ensures that communications resources are focused on the highest-value opportunities to maximize business impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of the France communications strategy in alignment with global and regional priorities.
• Serves on the market Leadership Team
• Ensure consistent messaging and storytelling that reflects the global Animal Health brand and strategic narrative.
• Strengthen the company’s external reputation through proactive, high-impact communications with key stakeholders and key channels through earned and owned media.
• Drive internal communications and employee engagement initiatives that support the global AH strategic framework and foster a strong, connected culture.
• Serve as a strategic advisor and thought partner to business leaders in France, helping shape communication approaches that support organizational objectives.
• Prioritize communications activity to ensure resources are deployed to the most business-critical initiatives and audiences.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including leadership, commercial, public affairs, HR, and regional communications, to ensure integrated and effective communication plans.
• Support management of issues, opportunities, and high-sensitivity communications with sound judgment and strategic insight.
• Ensures adherence to standard global communications practices for media relations, employee communications, reputation management, compliance and issues management;
• Works directly with PR agencies and manages related product budgets to implement comprehensive communications plans for all business units and supporting divisions – with thoughtful long term approach.
• Monitor market trends, stakeholder needs, and reputational risks to inform communications strategy and execution.
• Measure and report on the effectiveness and impact of communications campaigns and activities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business, or a related field.
• Significant experience in corporate communications, public affairs, or related strategic communications roles in communication;PR agency experience is a plus.
• Proven track record of leading communications in a complex, matrixed, and multinational environment.
• Strong experience advising senior leaders and managing high-priority internal and external communications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in French and English.
• Demonstrated ability to energize a team, organize events, influence stakeholders, manage priorities, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in PR / communication agencies in an international set up.
• Experience in the animal health, healthcare, pharmaceutical, or other regulated industry.
• Experience working across France and/or EURAM markets.
• Strong understanding of brand, reputation management, employee engagement, and stakeholder communications.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and allocate resources for maximum business impact.
• Understanding the regulatory environment in which the Animal Health industry operates

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking
• Executive communication and influence
• Stakeholder management
• Business acumen
• Brand and reputation management
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Change communication
• Judgment and prioritization
• Leadership and coaching
• Internal engagement / event organization.

Required Skills

• Brand Awareness
• Brand Awareness
• Business Communications
• Campaign Measurement
• Communication Campaign
• Communication Management
• Communication Plan Development
• Communications Planning
• Communications Programs
• Communication Strategy Development
• Content Creation
• Crisis Communication Management