Strategic Communications Director

Are you passionate about driving strategic communications and shaping the future of global health? Do you excel in telling powerful stories and crafting compelling narratives? Are you a world-class communicator with an impressive track record in engaging senior stakeholders? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as the Strategic Communications Lead in International Operations. Apply today for a life-changing career at Novo Nordisk!

The position

Novo Nordisk is seeking a dynamic and visionary Strategic Communications Director in International Operations to improve how we communicate with the world, both directly and through building capabilities in the organisation. This critical role involves collaborating with senior leaders to develop and implement effective communication strategies that align with our key priorities and support our mission of improving the lives of patients worldwide. As a strategic communicator, you will be at the forefront of driving impactful narratives and ensuring consistent messaging across all regions. Based in dynamic Switzerland, you will have the opportunity to thrive in a fast-paced and ever-evolving environment.

In this role, you will:

• Develop core messaging and narratives which support and direct our strategic priorities, and how we present to a variety of stakeholders across the world
• Provide proactive assessment of reputational risk to enhance improved decision-making
• Help build a global communications function that has the right capabilities, competences and footprint across the seven regions of International Operations to support our purpose, strategy and growth

Qualifications

You are excited to apply for this outstanding opportunity because you bring at least 5 years of experience in communications, media, corporate affairs, public relations or similar roles, ideally but not necessarily within the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry.

Additionally, you will possess the following:

• Exceptional Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal abilities to effectively influence perceptions and safeguard the organization’s reputation.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Message Crafting: Proactively build relationships with external audiences and develop impactful messages that align with organizational goals.
• Proven Track Record: Demonstrated success in building and maintaining positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders and in building organizational strength to reflect strategic needs
• Communication Strategy Expertise: Skilled in developing and executing communication strategies to safeguard and enhance the organization’s reputation. Highly Strategic in writing and speaking.
• Crisis Management & Analytical Skills: Capable of anticipating and managing crises and/or issues using strategic techniques, while applying analytical skills to monitor public perception and adjust communication strategies.

About the department

As a key driver of Novo Nordisk’s future growth, International Operations (IO) is the largest operational unit in Novo Nordisk and covers more than 190 countries and 95% of the world’s population. Around 430 million people are living with diabetes in these countries and an estimated 570 million live with obesity. We serve 25 million people each day living with chronic diseases. Novo Nordisk International Operations, Strategic Operations, is head quartered in Zürich, Switzerland.

The ambition of the IO-SO and Region Emerging Markets units in Hub Zurich is to be a talent incubator where mobile talents have an opportunity to gain international experience, broaden their skill-set and closely collaborate across functions, geographies and with Senior management. Employees in these units will get exposure and commercial insights, allowing for life-changing international career opportunities. From a business perspective, we strive to move the talent, knowledge and expertise across the value chain and through this rotation, organically feed the succession and skill needs of Novo Nordisk. Therefore, it is expected that employees move to other parts of the organisation outside Hub Zurich (e.g. affiliate, BA, regional office, or other EVP areas) after 3-5 years in order both to benefit the business with their skills and experience and to give the opportunity to other talents to rotate into the talent incubator.

Working at Novo Nordisk

At Novo Nordisk, we use our skills, dedication and ambition to help people with serious chronic diseases. We offer the chance to be part of a truly global workplace, where passion and engagement are met with opportunities for professional and personal development.

We are committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and the communicates we operate in. Therefore, we ensure to carry out an inclusive recruitment process with equal opportunity for all our job applicants. We are happy to discuss flexible working, depending on the role and subject to business needs.

Contact

If you believe you are qualified, and are willing to take the challenge, please send your motivation letter, CV and relevant documentation directly via our online application tool.

Deadline

The deadline to submit your application is 6 June 2025

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants. 

At Novo Nordisk we recognize that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and communities we operate in. Together, we’re life changing.