Associate Director Communications & Patient Engagement - Ssa

Merck Gruppe - Msd Sharp & Dohme; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical company in South Africa seeks a Corporate Communications Manager to drive external communications strategies and enhance organizational reputation. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in public relations, excellent communication skills, and the ability to navigate a highly regulated environment effectively. This role offers the opportunity to impact health systems across sub-Saharan Africa.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years in corporate communications or public relations.
• Fluency in English; French is advantageous.
• Experience in a highly regulated industry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop corporate narratives and external communications strategies.
• Manage crisis communications and protect company reputation.
• Coordinate media events aligned with organizational goals.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Strong networking skills

Proficiency in digital and social media strategies

Negotiation and problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in public relations, journalism, communications, business, or marketing

Tools

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Relevant design software

Job description

Job Description

The External Affairs team is responsible for driving our company's environmental shaping efforts to promote health systems strengthening and improved patient access to innovative medicines and vaccines across sub-Saharan Africa.

In keeping with our purpose to use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives, the ideal candidate should be passionate about innovation and the role it can play in unlocking health outcomes at both national and individual patient levels.

Furthermore, they should exhibit a demonstrated track record in tackling complex issues with innovative and creative solutions in social impact and external communications.

Finally, we believe that what we do is important but how we do it also matters.

As such, the ideal candidate must be committed to the highest levels of integrity, demonstrate a high level of self-awareness and mastery, and know how to collaborate effectively in a team and matrix environment.

Major Responsibilities

1. Developing a corporate narrative that captures our company's value proposition in sub-Saharan Africa.
2. Developing and implementing external communications strategies and plans, emphasizing traditional, digital, and social media to position our company with key stakeholders.
3. Supporting environmental shaping priorities through external communications strategies aligned with organizational and brand objectives.
4. Ensuring executive readiness for media engagement.
5. Driving our company's Corporate Responsibility and Patient Engagement Initiatives across SSA.
6. Managing crisis and issues to protect our company's reputation.
7. Monitoring media reports for information relevant to our markets and strategies, and coordinating appropriate responses.
8. Implementing internal communications strategies supporting HR and leadership engagement, including leadership visibility.
9. Collaborating with media, PR, event vendors, and strategic partners across sub-Saharan Africa.
10. Leading our company's participation in relevant industry working groups (e.g., IPASA).

Key Competencies & Requirements

• Proficiency in identifying and responding to reputation and brand opportunities in traditional and social media.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including advanced presentation skills.
• Strong networking skills with media and key stakeholders.
• Ability to design and deliver media events aligned with organizational goals.
• Experience in coordinating communications materials for brand, reputation, and CSR initiatives.
• Ability to build networks, communicate effectively with diverse audiences, and adapt to situations.
• Advisory and coaching skills for senior leaders.
• Experience working in a highly regulated industry.
• Pharmaceutical sector experience is advantageous.
• High ethical standards and professionalism.
• Excellent speaking, writing, editing, and research skills for media releases and presentations.
• Strong negotiation, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and sound judgment skills.
• Proficiency in digital and social media strategies.

Skills

• Fluent in English (verbal and written); French fluency is advantageous.
• Proficiency in scientific communication is advantageous.
• Attention to detail and quality.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Advanced computer literacy in Word, PowerPoint, and relevant design software.
• Exceptional analytical and presentation skills.
• Ability to operate in a global matrix environment.
• Influence without authority.
• Disciplined, process-driven, with high ethical standards.

Educational Requirements

Bachelor's degree in public relations, journalism, communications, business, or marketing.

Experience

Minimum of five years in corporate communications or public relations.

Additional Requirements

• Code 8 Driver's license.
• Flexibility to travel.

We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. Current employees and contingent workers should apply via the provided links. Please note, we do not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms without a valid agreement.

This job posting is effective until 11:59 PM on the day before the listed end date. Ensure you apply before this deadline.