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About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare leader, creating breakthrough science to improve people’s health. We’re always looking towards the future, anticipating changes in medical science and technology.

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 will have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.

• 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

The position is for Senior Public Affairs Manager - Middle East and can be based in UAE or Saudi Arabia . The role requires the candidate to proactively build and protect Abbott’s reputation, support programs that drive business, maintain employee engagement, and manage issues throughout the Middle East, maximizing both traditional communications vehicles as well as digital and social media channels.

The Senior Public Affairs Manager counsels business leaders about opportunities and developments that could impact Abbott’s reputation, share insights around external factors affecting business operations. The candidate will understand our business and corporate perspectives and lead crises and issues management across the Middle East, including external and influencer engagement. (s)he will be self-motivated, thrive in a fast-paced dynamic environment, and have experience in developing, supporting and executing successful PR and communications programs.

The candidate should have an ability to manage multiple projects – both internal and external. (s)he will have a deep understanding of the media landscape in the Middle East, especially the Gulf region. (S)he will bring external best practices and a proven track record of successful media relations and program execution, and will be responsible to favorably position Abbott to external-facing audiences through developing trusted media relationships, while neutralizing unfavorable media coverage/voices about Abbott and its products. The successful candidate is passionate about health technology and its impact on human health. (S)he is a strong storyteller in consumer, tech and health, and can create compelling internal and external content.

What you’ll do

Work business and corporate colleagues across the Middle East, with primary focus of being the guardian of Abbott’s most precious asset – our reputation.

• Strategy Development: Set overall public relations and communications strategy for the Middle East across all businesses, in alignment with the Regional Director of Public Affairs.

• Marketing Communications: Partner with Divisional PA and Commercial colleagues to develop innovative, integrated Public Affairs strategies and tactics that will position our brands positively, drive demand, and advance our company reputation – making Abbott a household name. Work with businesses to identify opportunities for positive public relations programs, ensuring they meet program goals/deadlines and are consistent with division and corporate policies. Leverage all appropriate communication vehicles to deliver engaging messages.

• Media Relations: A top-notch and skilled media relations professional, the right candidate will understand the importance news media plays in achieving our objectives. (S)he will leverage media relationships to place earned stories, seek appropriate coverage and work to make Abbott leaders a source of information; handle media inquiries and align with the Regional Director of Public Affairs. Coordinate media visits/interviews with leaders.

• Material Development: Oversee the development and approval of messages, create compelling press materials, including storylines and other communications tools, including social and on-line media.

• Issues Management: Identify and anticipate issues and work with Regional Director of Public Affairs and appropriate functions to counsel management on reputation/business impact and influence the decision-making process. Develop issues management plans and oversee execution.

• Measurement : Set metrics to measure the effectiveness of internal and external communication efforts.

Position Accountability/Scope

Team

• Member of the Public Affairs (PA) Team, this position reports to the Regional Director of Public Affairs – METAP (Middle East, Africa, Turkey and Pakistan). All PA functions have a line reporting relationship leading to Corporate Public Affairs. This position works with a broad range of internal and external constituencies including marketing, legal, regulatory affairs, operations, quality, HR, government affairs, investor relations, and finance.

Department Management

• Oversee contractors and PR agency resources and coordinates efforts of PR agencies.

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required in journalism, public relations, communications, business, marketing or related field.

Language Skills & Requirements

Fluent English and Arabic: excellent writing and speaking skills. French is a plus.

Experience you’ll bring

• 8+ years of communications or public relations experience in the Middle East (primarily in the Gulf) including experience in developing consumer PR campaigns. Consumer or Healthcare background strongly preferred.

• Proven experience in managing media issues.

• Experience in developing and implementing media relations programs and placing stories in top tier publications.

• Proven written, verbal, and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated success in developing and executing communications that impact reputation. Previous PR experience/responsibilities include extensive issues management, media strategy, media relationships, social media, stakeholder engagement, and PR program development.

• Strong critical thinking skills and ability to synthesize complex information.

• Exceptional communication (oral, written and presentation) and persuasion skills.

• Experience in overseeing PR agencies.

• A team player who is at ease in a fast-paced operating environment with numerous, sometimes competing priorities.

• Experience in counseling clients, offering strategic counsel and pushing back on recommendations when necessary.

EEO Statement

At Abbott, we believe that diversity drives innovation. Innovative thinkers who are passionate about the work they do, Abbott employees are representative of the diversity of the patients we strive to serve every single day across the globe.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Abbot welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce.

We provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.

To request accommodation, please call 224-667-4913 or email corpjat@abbott.com