Job Information
Abbott Senior Public Affairs Manager (Corporate Reputation) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Job Purpose
Develop and execute strategic plans, programs, communications and stories that deliver high impact results focused across 5 key areas: Driving Reputation and visual Identity; Storytelling; Media Relationships; Proactively Managing Issues; Engaging Employees.
Closely work with Vietnam management teams across divisions, Global Marketing and External Affairs (GMEA), APAC regional, Business and corporate Headquarter Public Affairs, to achieve desired outcomes.
Authority As Senior Manager, Public Affairs, Vietnam
In coordination with business leaders and reputation champion team, develop and implement public relations programs with unified, strategic, and purposeful approach, consistent with the organization's overall public relations strategy.
Implement impactful public relations, citizenship/sustainability programs that protect and enhance the organization’s reputation; align; and support business growth (Nutrition, Medical Device, Diagnostics, Medicines, Cardiovascular).
Own a strong network of stakeholders, reporters, media influencers with deep understanding local media landscape and industry in order to shape effective programs with high resonance, relevancy, impact.
Ensure storytelling and messaging appropriate, effective, and impactful to intended audience in all developed communication materials, speeches, articles, press releases, public statements while accurate and consistent with the organization’s overall public relations strategy.
Anticipate and build proactive plan to mitigate more complex issues to ensure mitigation and all communications are accurate and appropriate.
Drive to action and elevate commitment across divisions, leaders and employees with Visual Identity implementation plan for on-brand consistency in all materials, channels, touchpoints.
Geographically, this role has authority over Vietnam (under direction of Public Affairs Director of Vietnam) – one of Abbott’s key priority countries and markets.
The incumbent must be able to think strategically and provide thoughtful counsel to a broad range of internal and external contacts across all levels of management. Role will work in close partnership with Business Advisory Council (BAC), senior division leaders and contacts in Asia Pacific regional, GMEA, Business and Corporate Public Affairs, Cross functions, and Sustainability & Citizenship to create and execute the annual PA/PR strategic plan.
Core Job Responsibilities
Storytelling: Deliver impactful external visibility for Abbott through corporate storytelling. Results should center on corporate / enterprise stories, premier employer/employee stories, sustainability/citizenship stories, and reputation building stories. Work with the Public Affairs Director, Vietnam in the development and execution of an ongoing reputation building and stakeholder management programs in Vietnam for all divisions or businesses.
Driving Reputation and Identity Building Efforts – Deliver communications across Vietnam that will build Abbott’s competitive advantage, position. Convey stories about Abbott’s innovation in Vietnam.
Tracking and managing Reputation and Identity building implementation and metrics. Ensure all leaders, divisions committed – with dashboard and implementation plan tracking in place.
Scan and target opportunities for corporate reputation recognition / awards / executive visibility.
Engaging Employees: Help shape employee communications by integrating Reputation and Visual identity Building strategy (approximately 2,500+ Abbott employees) in Vietnam. Work with Vietnam leadership on strategic enterprise-wide employee communication plan and its roll out to increase the understanding of Abbott’s corporate brand.
Proactively anticipate issues and build mitigation plan: Work with Vietnam leadership and cross-division Reputation building team to anticipate and identify potential issues related to reputation and develop proactive action plans to address them, either neutralizing/keeping the company out of coverage, or ensuring Abbott message is delivered in coverage when desired. Ensure key contacts and key spokespeople in Vietnam understand proactive plans and actions when required.
Management Responsibilities
The Senior Manager reports to the Public Affairs Director, Vietnam. This role works in a matrixed way with others in Vietnam, Regional, Business and HQ Corporate Public Affairs.
Ideal Background
Bachelor's degree – preferably in English, Journalism, or another communication-related major. Public Relations/International relations degree preferred (from a reputed school preferred).
8 years of experience in communications environments, including public relations, corporate communications departments, and journalism. Multinational experience with a Healthcare, Pharma, technology, food/FMCG company preferred.
Proven record in managing media and editor relations; stakeholder relations; business, and corporate communications; and issues/crisis management in a collaboration-oriented environment
Experience in working in a cross-functional and global stakeholders and in corporate reputation mindset with proven success in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment.
Understanding of Vietnam market dynamics and U.S. business practices necessary.
Fluency in English and Vietnamese, both written and verbal, required.
Required Skills
Self-motivated, creative, understanding and passion for communications
Strong communication skills - both written and verbal - with the ability to present ideas in a clear, sharp, and concise way
Strong influencing skills to engage, drive to action with complexity of strategic partners, stakeholders, champion team members, leadership team members.
Excellent team player with ability to motivate and influence internal resources
Strong project management and coordination skills
Excellent and efficient organizing skills to ensure the keeping of accurate records and meaningful information for reporting and evaluation.
Proven ability to work on own initiative, meet deadlines, multi-task and work well under pressure
Public Affairs Competencies
Communication Skills
Composure
Dealing with Ambiguity
Judgement
Sense of urgency / speed of action
Collaborative, results orientation
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