Manager, Public Affairs

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.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
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 .

- Free medical coverage for employees* via the Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO

- 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
We are currently seeking an experienced PR manager to join our Public Affairs team in Alameda, CA. The Public Affairs team has global responsibility for public relations and communications activities for Abbott’s diabetes care business.
The ideal candidate is a strong and passionate storyteller in consumer, tech, and health, has worked with international colleagues and has a proven-track record of top-tier media placements.  They can turn complex business, product and clinical information into clear stories, build thought leadership and executive visibility, lead strategic communications and manage issues. They are also genuinely curious about artificial intelligence (AI) – both as a practical tool for how we do our work (e.g., AI-assisted drafting, listening, and measurement) and as a strategic consideration for modern PR, including generative engine optimization (GEO) and how AI is reshaping how people discover and trust information about our products and brand.
They will be self-motivated and nimble, thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and have experience leading and executing successful PR and communications programs across multiple markets. They will be comfortable working directly with senior leaders and colleagues across functions and geographies. They will have flexibility to host virtual meetings outside typical office hours.

What You’ll Work On

- Work closely with the Director, Public Affairs to set and drive international PR strategy, media relations and storytelling for Abbott’s diabetes business.

- In partnership with Public Affairs colleagues in countries outside North America, support the development and execution of external public relations strategies and approaches for key product launches/filings, key clinical and real-world data, product awareness programs/outreach and influencer programming.

- Develop, manage and execute global, integrated, insights-led PR campaigns from strategy through execution, including media strategy, storytelling, content, spokespeople, market activation and measurement.

- Build and manage relationships with top-tier business, technology, lifestyle, consumer and health reporters, including international media. Lead proactive media engagement and respond effectively to inbound opportunities and issues to protect reputation and advance business objectives.

- Develop communications strategy and plans and provide clear, trusted counsel to senior business leaders and key stakeholders, including on media opportunities, reputation risks and complex issues.

- Develop multimedia, content, social and digital strategies to complement key PR campaigns. Bring a strong understanding of today’s communications environment across earned, owned, social and paid media, as well as how AI is changing search, discovery, media consumption and reputation. Explore practical uses of AI to improve communications work while applying sound judgment and appropriate review.

- Champion the adoption of AI tools across the Public Affairs team — identifying, piloting, and operationalizing AI-assisted workflows for drafting, media monitoring, social listening, content repurposing, and PR measurement — while maintaining appropriate human review, accuracy, and compliance standards.

- Develop and lead the team’s approach to generative engine optimization (GEO) and AI-discovery strategy: monitor how AI assistants and generative search surface information about Abbott’s diabetes care products, and shape content and PR strategies to ensure accurate, favorable representation across AI-driven channels.

- In partnership with marketing colleagues, review and approve strategy for influencer and social media programs outside the U.S.

- Oversee development of messages, press materials and other communications tools.

- Identify, anticipate and manage issues. Work across functions to assess reputation and business impact, develop communications scenarios and response strategies, and counsel management to support business decision-making.

- Keep a pulse on changes in the communications environment, including AI-driven search and answer engines. Apply those learnings to earned media, content strategy and discoverability, including emerging approaches such as GEO.

- Partner with various stakeholders including regulatory affairs, operations, quality, R&D, HR, government affairs, investor relations, legal, finance and senior management.

- Media train and coach business leaders and spokespeople on delivery of key messages.

- Set metrics to measure effectiveness of public relations and communication efforts.

Required Qualifications

- A bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications, business, marketing or related field.

- 6+ years of progressive public relations experience, with substantial hands-on media relations experience and a deep understanding of how external communications can build and protect reputation.

- Experience working on thought leadership and corporate reputation/positioning programs.

- Demonstrated experience planning and executing integrated PR campaigns across multiple markets or countries.

- Demonstrated experience working directly with and counseling senior leaders and preparing executives for media, speaking engagements and high-stakes communications.

- Strong experience in developing compelling content, including key positioning, messaging, and communications materials.

- Consistent track record of excellent writing, communications and project management skills, including leading PR campaigns and coordinating work across countries, functions and agency partners.

- Genuine interest in and hands-on experience using AI tools in communications work — and a point of view on how AI is changing media discovery, search, and public relations (including generative engine optimization / GEO).

Preferred Qualifications

- Fluent in a second language

- Experience in consumer, healthcare, and/or technology communications.

- Experience leading PR campaigns, media relations and issues management in countries outside the U.S., including adapting global strategies for different media and cultural environments.

- Strong contacts and working relationships with a variety of media. Proven ability to develop stories, secure meaningful earned coverage and manage ongoing relationships with health, technology, lifestyle, consumer and business media, including international outlets.

- Demonstrated experience managing issues and crisis communications, including anticipating reputational risks and advising senior leaders through sensitive situations.

- Able to achieve results while dealing with ambiguity, discretion, and a rapid pace of change.

- Experience in working in a regulated environment.

- Experience in issues and crisis communications, including anticipatory thinking, scenario planning, message development and cross-functional response.

- Experience with international media and media landscapes.

- Strong judgment and executive presence.

- Interest in and working knowledge of generative AI.

- Understanding of how to work within a matrixed organization and get things done.

- Ability to communicate persuasively and influence others.

- Ability to form authentic and effective relationships both inside and outside the organization.

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 @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.

The base pay for this position is
$114,000.00 – $228,000.00 In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY:
Public Relations
DIVISION:
PA Public Affairs
LOCATION:
United States > Alameda : 1360-1380 South Loop Road
ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:

WORK SHIFT:
Standard
TRAVEL:
Not specified
MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:
Not Applicable
SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:
Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Keyboard use (greater or equal to 50% of the workday)
Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans.
EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf
EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf