Director, External Communications Global Corporate Affairs

About UsFounded in 1908, Merz is a successful, family-owned specialty healthcare company with a rich history. As a leading global aesthetics business, our award-winning portfolio of injectables, devices, and skincare products empowers healthcare professionals to enhance confidence through aesthetic medicine. Our purpose is to fuel confidence by helping people look better, feel better, and live better. We believe you do not have to choose between living life and making a living. Live your best life with Merz Aesthetics.A Brief OverviewThe Director of Global External Communications, Corporate Affairs is a leadership role, reporting directly to the head of Global Corporate Affairs. This person will help shape and execute Merz Aesthetics' global external communications strategy. They will lead external communications, earned media initiatives and reputation-building campaigns in alignment with key stakeholders across the business. A self-starter, this person will have worked in a global, above-brand environment in the past, with executive-ready polish, sound judgment, a quick grasp of complex issues and demonstrated success in media placement. Must be comfortable operating collaboratively as part of a team, as well as independently; identifying opportunities, taking initiative and demonstrating results.What You Will DoExternal Communications & Media Relations:Lead the overarching global media relations strategy for the corporate brand, identifying proactive opportunities to elevate reputation and thought leadershipServe as a trusted advisor to senior executives and external spokespeople, preparing them for media engagements through strategic briefing materials, messaging frameworks, and counselIndependently manage high-profile, sensitive, and time-critical communications with clarity, professionalism, and strategic foresightBuild and sustain strong relationships with global media and industry influencers, positioning Merz Aesthetics as a credible and authoritative voiceManage media monitoring and timely dissemination of relevant updates to the right audienceOversee global campaign development from strategy through execution, ensuring creative excellence, message consistency, and measurable outcomesLead scientific and regulatory communications, providing strategic counsel and translating complex information into clear, credible and compelling narrativesTailor communications for diverse audiences, including scientific, health care professionals, consumers, employees and global stakeholdersManage events and external participation end-to-end with close attention to detail; operate under tight deadlines while managing multiple workstreamsMonitor industry, competitive and cultural trends for earned media opportunities; maintain high standards of accuracy and consistency across materialsSupport communications planning and response for issues, crises and reputation risks in partnership with Corporate Affairs, Legal and regional teamsAI-Driven Communications & Discoverability:Lead strategies that strengthen Merz Aesthetics' visibility across AI-powered search and large language model platforms through earned media, authority signals and third-party validationChampion innovative approaches that help the organization stay ahead of emerging AI-driven shifts in communications, search and reputation managementExperience evolving PR strategies beyond traditional KPIs (impressions, placements) toward influence, narrative control, relevance and discoverabilityStrategic Planning & Project Management:Provide direction for annual planning; ensure functional plans ladder to the organization’s strategic imperativesLead plan development for priority initiatives and manage execution to goals and KPIsEstablish scope, timelines, roles, milestones, and an operating cadence that ensures clarity and accountabilityManage budgets for assigned initiatives; allocate resources to maximize impact and efficiencyEnsure brand governance and compliance globally across all external initiatives while coordinating with internal communications and social media teams to maximize impact and consistencyAnticipate communication risks and market developments; propose proactive strategies and response plansStakeholder Management:Serve as a strategic partner to key functional and regional stakeholders to enhance and amplify business imperativesPartner with Marketing, Legal and Regulatory teams to understand business priorities and meet all requirementsNavigate complex stakeholder dynamics with professionalism, discretion, and emotional intelligenceProvide clear, data-backed recommendations and risk/opportunity assessments to inform consistent media relations tacticsEstablish a structured communication cadence that keeps leadership aligned and stakeholders informed of progress and resultsLeadership & Agency Management:Set strategic direction for multiple agency partners; hold partners accountable for creativity, quality, effectiveness, and budget disciplineFoster a collaborative, solutions-oriented culture and model calm, decisive leadership in fast-moving situationsContinuously improve processes, tools, and ways of working to build a high-functioning, globally integrated teamInformally mentors colleagues by sharing knowledge, best practices and constructive feedbackMeasurement & Reporting:Lead end-to-end measurement for external communications and media relations including dashboards, scorecards, and KPIs that quantify campaign effectiveness, message penetration, media impact, and reputation trendsContinuously monitor performance and deliver insights-driven recommendations to optimize strategy, content, channels, and outreachPrepare clear, executive-level reports that communicate results, trends, and ROI; ensure documentation rigor and data accuracyMinimum RequirementsBachelor of Arts (B.A.) In journalism, communications, PR or related field10+ years Relevant work experience with a focus on external communications and media relations7+ years Project management experience leading cross-functional initiatives7+ years Hands-on media relations experience, including proactive pitching and executive preparation7+ years Managing multiple agencies and vendorsPreferred QualificationsMaster's Degree in a related discipline is highly desirableWorking in a highly regulated environmentWorking in an agencyWorking in a global organizationTechnical & Functional SkillsExecutive presence and exceptional presentation skillsAbility to develop strategic perspectives on AI-driven changes in media, search, reputation and discoverabilityProven track record of delivering measurable results and achieving defined performance metricsAbility to operate in complex situations and provide clear strategic directionHigh attention to detail, urgency, and accountability; able to independently set, manage, and meet deadlinesExperience developing and managing sizable budgetsProactive problem-solver with strong judgment; thrives in ambiguity and fast-moving environmentsDemonstrated cross-functional collaboration; operates with openness, candor, and a global mindsetDigital acumen; comfortable with virtual collaboration and AI toolsStrong time management, resiliency, and the ability to motivate and influence without authorityAdvanced skills in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook and comfort with a large variety of online meeting tools and AV equipmentExcellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills and ability to adjust communication style and approach to audienceJob SummaryRequisition Number: DIREC004709Job Category: CommunicationsSchedule: Full-Time