Manager, External Communications

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You'll also have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
• An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor's degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity

This position works out of our Willis Tower or Abbott Park, IL locations within the PA Public Affairs division.

The manager will play a pivotal leadership role in formulating, executing and sustaining an external communications strategy for Abbott that positions it as a leading global healthcare company, particularly as it relates to Abbott HeartMates, Abbott's cardiovascular leadership initiative, and Abbott's participation in external recognition opportunities. This position requires a strategic thinker, creative storyteller and customer-centric event planner who has demonstrated the ability to develop compelling storylines and meaningful in-person and virtual activations. The right candidate will have relevant experience managing cross-functional content creation for physical, digital and social channels to reach and positively impact diverse external audiences including consumers, HCPs and the media. The role also requires an understanding of industry regulations and best practices relating to engaging with patients and consumers. The right candidate will also contribute to the strategy and execution of content generation for a number of the company's social channels and executive leaders.

What You'll Work On:

• Function as a member of Abbott HeartMates core leadership team and primary liaison to the members of the HeartMates community with ownership of the following workstreams and program areas:

• Plan and execute in-person and virtual events which may include HeartMates members' travel, accommodation, hospitality and reimbursements

• Plan, compose and execute community newsletters and email communications

• Collect and report relevant metrics, including newsletter open rate and CTR, community surveys, community size and composition, and campaign results

• Ensure program compliance with all Privacy, Legal and OEC policies

• Collaborate with internal teams to plan and execute best-in-class storytelling

• Manage agency partners

• Manage Abbott's participation in external recognition programs

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date directory of pertinent recognition programs

• Develop strategic plans and secure leadership alignment on recognition opportunities

• Draft and submit corporate-level awards submissions, e.g., Brands That Matter, Most Influential Companies, etc.

• Collaborate with internal partners to coordinate submissions and ensure they adhere to corporate strategy and messaging

• Track all submissions and maintain up-to-date record of submissions statuses

• Manage content development and secure licensing as needed for external amplification opportunities including but not limited to social/digital content

• Maintain strong understanding of corporate businesses and divisional therapeutic areas, industry, competitive environment and stakeholder landscape with the ability to provide effective counsel to division management.

• Assist in strategic planning of corporate executive visibility.

• Must be a strong teammate who:

• Operates with principled leadership and sound business ethics, exercising the highest level of integrity

• Has an entrepreneurial mindset combined with an ability to navigate in a large, complex organization

• Takes a global view

• Treats others with respect - listens and cares

Required Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in content development (journalism or multimedia)
• Excellent writer and communicator who can organize, summarize, clarify and communicate ideas simply, succinctly and accurately.
• Experienced user and creator of social media to drive awareness and engagement.
• Experienced planner and executer of consumer events with a strong focus on hospitality and high levels of individual care.
• Skilled at building stakeholder trust to enhance business reputation.
• Able to achieve results while dealing with ambiguity and a rapid pace of change.
• Demonstrated ability to use communications to drive business results.
• Experience in strategic thinking and ability to develop and implement communications plans.

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter

The base pay for this position is $99,300.00 - $198,700.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.