Principal, Media Affairs & Employer Reputation

About the Department At Novo Nordisk, we want to make a difference. For more than 100 years, we have led the way in diabetes care. Being part of Novo Nordisk allows our employees to embark on the opportunity to help improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world.In NC, we operate three pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities that are responsible for fulfilling different steps in our injectable and oral treatment supply chains. Our Product Supply Aseptic Manufacturing (PS AM) facility in Clayton, NC is a 457,000 square foot aseptic "fill and finish" site that is responsible for producing innovative, injectable diabetes and obesity treatments. At PS AM, you’ll join a global network of manufacturing professionals who are passionate about what they do.What we offer you:Leading pay and annual performance bonus for all positionsAll employees enjoy generous paid time off including 14 paid holidaysHealth Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance – effective day oneGuaranteed 8% 401K contribution plus individual company match optionFamily Focused Benefits including 14 weeks paid parental & 6 weeks paid family medical leaveFree access to Novo Nordisk-marketed pharmaceutical productsTuition Assistance Life & Disability InsuranceEmployee Referral AwardsAt Novo Nordisk, you will find opportunities, resources, and mentorship to help grow and build your career. Are you ready to realize your potential? Join Team Novo Nordisk and help us make what matters. The PositionThis position is responsible for shaping and leading the US Global Manufacturing & Supply (GMS) local media relations, employer brand and reputation activities, communications issues management, external stakeholder relations with media and social influencers in each state and local media market where Novo Nordisk operates a manufacturing facility. This position works collaboratively with communication colleagues at USO and Global on a variety of integrated communications activities and programs across corporate channels to support and demonstrate the broader manufacturing and local business leader reputation of the company, including the company's Sustainable Business model. This position plays a key role in establishing and positively positioning the company’s Social License to Operate among key external audiences to ensure public understanding of the company's purpose, mission, business goals, recruiting and company workplace culture while serving as a liaison and communication resource for employer brand and talent attraction teams across Novo Nordisk's US GMS sites. This position builds and maintains trusted relationships with local business and healthcare media, plus other external influencers and offers deep expertise on media relations issues management and crisis communications. The position is responsible for preparing and media training key company spokespeople, and serves as a critical communications advisor and counsellor to US GMS Senior Leaders on high-stakes media and reputational matters. The position also serves as the US GMS Lead for cross-functional Crisis Response Teams, ensuring preparedness and coordinated response for all US manufacturing sites.RelationshipsReports to Director.Essential FunctionsSets & leads the development and implementation of the US Global Manufacturing & Supply’s local media relations and Employer Brand and Reputation Strategy; assesses related branding opportunities and strategies and advances recommendations designed to inform the business of reputational implicationsPartners with internal stakeholders to ensure key NN brand messages are fully and appropriately leveraged and consistent across all US GMS sites and aligned and complimentary with USO’s Corporate Brand strategy, as well as Global Corporate Affairs communication targetsResponsible for US GMS’ strategic approach to issues management, embedding and continuously improving crisis communications protocols, ensuring readiness and resilience and counselling US GMS site leaders on business-critical issues and reputational risks, when necessaryShapes and protects one integrated US GMS narrative consistently across all aspects of media, issues and crisis communications which resonates across key audiences as validated through testingDevelops, manages, and drives a proactive media relations program to generate positive coverage for US GMS in local business and industry pressBuilds relationships and leverages new media as a key channel to build awareness and shape the reputation of the company’s manufacturing and local employer reputation, in line with the USO’s broader corporate brand strategyConducts assessment of potential issues facing the US GMS; develops, manages, and drives reactive media relations program to anticipate and mitigate issues; and counsels all US GMS leaders on response strategy and public responses; Serves as key member of each GMS site’s Crisis Response TeamPrepares/coaches chief GMS spokesperson and other senior management for media interviews and external speaking opportunities; and works with reporters to shape/influence story coverageKey external relationships include local journalists (print and broadcast; trade; business and consumer media; bloggers); local and regional community leaders; select professional, business, and industry third party groups; and public relations agenciesIdentifies, sets strategic direction for and manages Agency of Record for media relations and issues/crisis communications management; Oversees agency resourcing, RFPs, sets spend for team projects and oversees budget planning to ensure alignment with business priorities and value creationFollow all safety and environmental requirements in the performance of dutiesOther accountabilities, as assignedPhysical RequirementsAbility to work in an open office environment with the possibility of frequent distraction. Ability to travel up to 10% of the time. (% can change on a case-by-case basis based on the role.)QualificationsBachelor’s degree in Organizational Communications, Public Relations, Organizational development, or related field of study from an accredited university requiredMaster’s degree in related field of study preferredMinimum of ten (10) years of public affairs/media relations and internal and external communication experience requiredMinimum of seven (7) years of experience in strategic planning and implementation of external media relations and organizational communication activities, to include issue/crisis management requiredExperience in a public relations agency environment and/or the pharmaceutical industry preferredDemonstrated success in creating strategic direction, plans and proven ability to drive and sustain business improvement and results requiredProven ability to handle unforeseen changes in a fast-paced working environment requiredProven ability to demonstrate business acumen and work across all levels of the business requiredProven ability to effectively manage projects and influence individuals, teams, and stakeholders requiredAbility to work effectively in a cross-functional, collaborative environment with global as well as regional considerations and sometimes political implicationsWe commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at View phone number on click.appcast.io. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.