Head of US Communications

Lonza; Morristown (NJ); On-site; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

Lonza seeks an Executive Director, Head of US Communications to serve as the senior US communications leader and strategic counsel on employee engagement, media, crisis management and stakeholder matters.

The role leads internal and external communications across the United States, and directs communications for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other strategic transactions, reporting to the Global Head of Communications.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of strategic communications leadership in highly regulated environments.
• Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Business or Science.
• Crisis and issues management across multiple markets and stakeholder groups.
• Experience leading communications for complex M&A, divestiture and integration programs in the US.
• Strong leadership, coaching and management skills.
• Excellent writing, editing and content development across executive, financial, media and social channels.
• Experience in media relations or for a top tier PR agency.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal and external communications and crisis response across the United States.
• Develop and execute communications strategies for M&A and strategic transactions aligned with global objectives.
• Own and lead the US comms workstream for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, integrations, separations and other strategic transactions, from planning to Day 1 and beyond.
• Lead US crisis and issues communications readiness and response with coordination with global leaders.
• Develop and execute US stakeholder communications plans for employees, media, customers, communities and other audiences.
• Advise executives for media interviews and stakeholder engagement on US market communications.
• Identify and maintain relationships with key US journalists and external stakeholders; act as spokesperson for global media inquiries.

Skills

Strategic communications leadership

Crisis and issues management

Executive media relations

Leadership and management

Writing and content development

Advising senior executives

Regulated industries experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences, operating across three continents. While our work is grounded in science, our success is driven by talented people collaborating to develop innovative solutions that help businesses bring therapies to patients. In return, we empower our employees to take ownership of their careers-encouraging ideas, both big and small, that make a meaningful impact on the world.

As Executive Director, Head of US Communications, the role serves as Lonza's senior communications leader in the United States and as the dedicated communications lead for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and other strategic transactions. This includes providing strategic counsel to US executives, business leaders and site leaders on employee engagement, media, crisis management and stakeholder matters

Key responsibilities

• Lead and be accountable for Lonza's internal and external communications and crisis response across the United States.
• For M&A and other strategic transactions, the role develops and executes communications strategies aligned with Lonza's global business objectives and reputation priorities, under the direction of the Global Head of Communications and in close coordination with the Global Head of External Communications and Internal Communications.
• Own and lead the communications workstream for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, integrations, separations and other strategic transactions, from confidential planning and announcement through closing, Day 1, integration or separation.
• Lead US crisis and issues communications readiness and response, ensuring timely escalation and close coordination with the Global Head of Communications and the relevant global communications leaders.
• Develop and execute US stakeholder communications plans for employees, media, customers, communities and other priority audiences, ensuring consistency with the global narrative and alignment with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Advise and prepare executives and senior leaders for media interviews, stakeholder engagement and reputation-critical communications related to the US market.
• Identify, build and maintain relationships with key US journalists, external stakeholders and communications partners, and act as spokesperson for global media inquiries.

Key Skills

• 10+ years of Strategic communications leadership and sound judgment in reputation-critical environments and highly regulated industries
• Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Business or Science degree
• Crisis and issues management capability across multiple markets and stakeholder groups
• Demonstrated experience leading communications for complex M&A, divestiture and integration programs, including confidential and time-sensitive transactions in the US market
• Strong leadership, coaching and management skills
• Excellent writing, editing and content development skills across executive, financial, media and social channels
• Proven ability to advise senior executives and manage sensitive stakeholder communications
• Experience working in media relations and/or for a top tier PR agency

Every day, Lonza's products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.

Lonza is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.