Director, Communications Business Partner (Pharma and Specialty Distribution)

cardinalhealth; Dublin (OH); Hybrid; USD 117,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Paid time off plan

Health savings account (HSA)

401k savings plan

MyFlexPay access

FSAs

Disability coverage

Work-Life resources

Paid parental leave

Healthy lifestyle programs

Job summary

Cardinal Health is seeking a Director, Communications Business Partner to lead strategic internal and external communications for the Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions segment, developing and executing high-impact programs while guiding a high-performing team. The role requires a seasoned communicator with deep acumen and a track record of influencing senior leaders.

The position supports hybrid work, collaborates with enterprise marketing, and centers on building relationships with media,

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to be clear and concise.
• Experience leading and developing a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to build relationships with external stakeholders (journalists, influencers).
• Strong financial and business acumen; strategic thinker with situational awareness.
• 10+ years of leadership experience, in-house or agency background acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with leaders to develop strategic internal and external communications plans.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team of communicators.
• Produce and implement communications across diverse formats (press, social, newsletters, web).
• Plan communications for major events and run of show content.
• Draft and review leader announcements, press releases, and newsroom stories.
• Develop proactive messaging playbooks and SOPs for rapid response.
• Ensure consistent employee messaging aligning to business goals.

Skills

Strong communicator

People leadership

Excellent written and verbal comms

Relationship building

Time management

Strategic thinking

Job description

What Communications Business Partner contributes to Cardinal Health

Communications defines and executes communication and public relations strategies in support of the company's business objectives, image and reputation for both internal and external stakeholders. This function builds relationships with external stakeholders, including media and community organizations, and designs meetings and communications to leverage these relationships and promote the company. Communications Business Partners engage various internal audiences in the purpose and priorities of Cardinal Health, key initiatives and strategies with the goal of accelerating company performance.

Communications & Enterprise Marketing (CEM) at Cardinal Health is responsible for the development and implementation of public, social and media relations, brand, digital operations, and executive communications strategies to advance business and reputation goals. CEM encompasses brand journalism, public relations and awareness building strategies, national, trade and social media relations, thought leadership, crisis communications, reputation and issues management, website development, executive communications, and enterprise brand.

The CEM team is seeking a Director, Communications Business Partner, in support of the Pharmaceutical and Specialty Distribution business within the Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions segment. We are looking for an experienced, strategic people leader with deep communications acumen to develop and execute high-impact communications while actively leading a high-performing team in the support of strategic business priorities.

Location

Ideally targeting individuals local to Central Ohio and willing to operate in a hybrid work structure, 3 days a week at our global HQ in Dublin, OH (or willing to relocate)

Responsibilities

• Collaborate and consult with leaders, communications team members and business partners in the development and implementation of strategic internal and external communication plans that reflect the company’s brand and voice while positively positioning the business and its leaders with key audiences.
• Lead and develop a highly functioning team of communicators in execution of strategic internal and external communications plans in support of the business.
• Produce and implement strategic communications in a variety of formats (executive/leader communications, internal newsletter stories, press releases, reactive media statements, thought leadership content for social media and company-owned Newsroom, social media copy, and web copy).
• Work collaboratively across the enterprise in the planning of the business’ National Sales Meeting and Retail Business Conference and oversee the development and execution of key communications deliverables in support of those events, including run of shows for main stage content, leaders’ scripts/talking points, and internal and external communications that promote and recap each event.
• Plan and execute business leader-led town halls in collaboration with the company’s live events team, including the development of a run of show and speaker presentation materials.
• Draft and/or review communications including leader organizational announcements, press releases, Cardinal Health Newsroom stories, scripts/talking points and presentations, newsletter content, and other communications deliverables.
• Develop effective, consistent and relevant employee messaging around segment and business unit goals, business initiatives, strategic plans and role of employees in implementing strategies.
• Develop and maintain updates of proactive communication strategies, including messaging playbooks and SOPs, to ensure the team is positioned to respond promptly to issues affecting the business, customers, suppliers and providers.

Qualifications

• Targeting a strong communicator who is articulate, high energy, decisive and agile in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• A self-starter who can look around corners, identify what needs doing, and go do it.
• Enjoys working with others, maintains calm and can navigate ambiguity.
• Targeting an experienced people leader who can effectively delegate while also providing opportunities to develop the team.
• Ideally targeting leaders with 10+ years of experience, open to individuals coming from an in-house environment and/or agency.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to be clear and concise and pay close attention to detail. Writing expertise is a must.
• Ability to navigate and thrive in a large, complex organization.
• Strong financial and business acumen driven by natural curiosity.
• Excellent time management skills to meet tight deadlines and expectations of internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to build relationships and make connections externally (journalists, conference organizers, local influencers).

Anticipated Salary Range

$116,500 - $197,010 USD

Bonus Eligible

Yes

Benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Paid time off plan
• Health savings account (HSA)
• 401k savings plan
• Access to wages before pay day with myFlexPay
• Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Work-Life resources
• Paid parental leave
• Healthy lifestyle programs

Application window anticipated to close: 09/31/2026 * if interested in opportunity, please submit application as soon as possible.

The salary range listed is an estimate. Pay at Cardinal Health is determined by multiple factors including, but not limited to, a candidate’s geographical location, relevant education, experience and skills and an evaluation of internal pay equity.

Candidates who are back-to-work, people with disabilities, without a college degree, and Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Cardinal Health supports an inclusive workplace that values diversity of thought, experience and background. We celebrate the power of our differences to create better solutions for our customers by ensuring employees can be their authentic selves each day. Cardinal Health is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, creed, status with regard to public assistance, genetic status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

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