Communications & Public Affairs Partner

Roche; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 420,000 - 640,000; Full time

Job summary

Roche Diagnostics Saudi Arabia seeks a Communications & Public Affairs Partner to lead internal engagement, change management, and external positioning. Reporting to the GM, you will shape narratives, build trusted relationships, and coordinate with regional and global teams to drive the Saudi strategy.

You will coach spokespeople, plan internal events, collaborate with agencies, and ensure alignment with Vision 2030 priorities, strengthening Roche's reputation and stakeholder trust across

Qualifications

• 6-10 years of progressive corporate communications experience.
• Experience in healthcare or FMCG multinationals preferred.
• Fluent in English and Arabic; Saudi national status required.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal engagement and change management strategies.
• Develop external positioning and reputation strategies for Roche Diagnostics Saudi Arabia.
• Coach media spokespersons and leadership for public engagements.
• Plan and execute high-impact internal events and town halls.
• Collaborate with regional and global teams to align national strategies.
• Direct and manage partner agencies and vendors for timely delivery.

Skills

Strategic advisory

Change management

Internal engagement

Public affairs

Media coaching

Stakeholder management

Agency management

Job description

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

The Position Communications & Public Affairs Partner, Roche Diagnostics Saudi Arabia - Open to Saudi nationals only.

Position Overview The Communications and Public Affairs Partner for Roche Diagnostics Saudi Arabia will be a strategic catalyst for the affiliate, leading both internal and external communications, public affairs, and reputation management. The role will report directly to the country's GM and work closely with the Middle East Communications and Public Affairs Head. A massive focus of this role is internal engagement, change management, and internal events. You will not just broadcast messages; you will design experiences that align, inspire, and mobilize our people. Crucially, you will serve as a strategic partner to the Saudi Lead Team, directly enabling and driving their leadership agenda, shaping culture, and guiding the affiliate through transformational journeys. Because of Roche's networked, no-borders approach, you will regularly collaborate with regional and global colleagues, actively contributing to broader Middle East communication initiatives.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead Team Partnership: Act as a trusted advisor to the General Manager and the Saudi Lead Team.
• Change Management & Internal Engagement: Design, implement, and lead robust internal communication and change management strategies to support organizational transformations, cultural shifts, and business evolutions.
• High-Impact Internal Events: Concept, plan, and execute key internal events, town halls, and engagement initiatives that bring the RDSA strategy to life, foster collaboration, and boost employee morale.
• External Positioning & Reputation: Develop effective external positioning strategies to enhance the reputation of Roche Diagnostics, our innovative products, and the value we bring to the Saudi healthcare ecosystem.
• Media & Executive Coaching: Partner with and coach the affiliate’s media spokespersons and leadership team for public engagements, interviews, and executive positioning.
• Regional Collaboration: Work closely with the Middle East Regional Communications Lead to align national strategies with regional internal engagement and external positioning frameworks.
• Agency & Vendor Management: Direct and manage partner agencies, event organizers, and creative vendors to ensure seamless, high-quality, and timely delivery of projects.

Key Success Factors

• Strategic Advisory: The ability to influence, guide, and challenge senior leaders, earning a seat at the table as a strategic communication partner.
• Change Advocacy: Proven capability to guide organizations through change with empathy, clarity, and impactful storytelling.
• Stakeholder Management: Proactively engaging with diverse internal and external stakeholders to co-create solutions and build high-trust relationships.
• Network Integration: Actively leaning into the broader Roche network, sharing best practices, and repurposing successful initiatives with pride.

Who are you?

• Saudi National & Bilingual Fluency: Fluent in English and Arabic; experienced in local media navigation and executive communications.
• Experience: 6-10 years of progressive corporate communications experience, preferably within matrixed Healthcare or FMCG multinationals.
• Strategic Advisor: Proven experience counseling the GM and executive leadership to translate business strategy into clear narratives.
• Change Management Champion: Track record of designing and leading communications for cultural transformations and organizational restructurings.
• Internal Engagement: Experience executing interactive events, town halls, and campaigns that drive employee alignment and morale.
• Saudi Healthcare & Vision 2030: Strong understanding of the Saudi healthcare landscape, MoH priorities, and Vision 2030 alignment.
• PR & Crisis Management: Experience leading external PR, brand positioning, and crisis management, backed by a strong local media network.
• Spokesperson Coaching: Skilled at preparing and coaching corporate spokespersons for media interviews and public appearances.
• Agency & Global Collaboration: Adept at managing external creative agencies and collaborating with regional/global teams to scale best practices.

Who we are

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100'000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact. Let’s build a healthier future, together.

Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it’s urgent to deliver medical solutions right now - even as we develop innovations for the future. We are passionate about transforming patients’ lives. We are courageous in both decision and action. And we believe that good business means a better world. That is why we come to work each day. We commit ourselves to scientific rigor, unassailable ethics, and access to medical innovations for all. We do this today to build a better tomorrow. We are proud of who we are, what we do, and how we do it. We are many, working as one across functions, across companies, and across the world. We are Roche.