Head of Communications, Africa and Middle East (Arab speaking markets)

Job Description Summary

Sandoz continues to go through an exciting and transformative period as a global leader and pioneering provider of sustainable Biosimilar and Generic medicines. As we continue down this new and ambitious path, unique opportunities will present themselves, both professionally and personally. Join us, the future is ours to shape!
The purpose of the Communications Head, Africa and Middle East (Arab-speaking countries) role is to drive external and internal communications, media relations, and partner closely with public/government affairs, regulatory, market access and medical functions across the Arab-speaking markets in support of local advocacy activities.
This role will also build a strong corporate brand identity and protect and enhance our corporate reputation, as well as partner closely with P&O to drive internal employee engagement across the region.

Job Description

Major accountabilities: 

• Contribute to the development and execution of a corporate communications strategy that aligns with the company's growth aspirations and values across our Arab-speaking markets.
• Ensure that the communication is consistent, timely, accurate and relevant so as to drive awareness, understanding, alignment and buy-in from our employees and key stakeholders.
• Manage the dissemination of information to internal audiences through content coordination and creation for various events and channels such as SIR newsletter, Viva Engage group, internal messages on performance, annual Kick-off events, townhalls etc.
• ​Support the GM of Gulf and Saudi, the GM of Egypt, and the Head of Export Markets, META in their external and internal communication needs. These would include developing an outreach plan to actively engage and collaborate with relevant stakeholders, supporting on any external activities e.g. media interviews, speaking engagements at industry events, social media posts etc. as well as internal communications activities such as quarterly messages, townhalls, announcements, kick-offs etc.
• Partner closely with P&O in support of employee engagement activities and People-related matters, to ensure engagement, support our Culture journey and mitigate any risks.
• Ensure close alignment of local activities with the regional and global team/calendar.
• Manage day-to-day implementation of activities and general structural activities such as compiling presentations and data, keeping documents updated etc.

Key performance indicators:

• Quality and timeliness of development of integrated communication plans and programs - management and implementation of communication plans, campaigns and projects against business objectives and priorities.
• Maturity of business relationship(s), incl. at senior levels of the organization -Feedback from internal and external stakeholders.
• Reputation and media sentiment of Sandoz in the relevant markets.
• Our Voice survey results.

Experience:

• 8 to 10 years of relevant working experience in Corporate Communications with a minimum of 5 years manager experience.
• Good understanding of Corporate Communications principles (both internal and external).
• Crisis and issues communications experience.
• Pharma background beneficial.
• Public/Government Affairs experience would be advantageous.
• Experience in working in a matrixed, multi-national organization.
• Open to challenges and willing to learn while being self-organized with a can-do attitude.

 

Capabilities:

• Proactive, self-motivated, thrives in an entrepreneurial environment.
• Experience in working and being successful in navigating in a matrix environment and navigating cross-functional teams.
• Skilled in managing diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Capable of influencing decision makers/relevant stakeholders without formal authority.
• Ability to think creatively and express new ideas.
• Strong executional skills, sense of end-to-end ownership.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, ensuring consistency in messaging and leveraging different communication channels smartly.

Languages:

• English

• Arabic

Why Sandoz?

Generic and Biosimilar medicines are the backbone of the global medicines industry. Sandoz, a leader in this sector, provided more than 900 million patient treatments across 100+ countries in 2024 and while we are proud of this achievement, we have an ambition to do more!

With investments in new development capabilities, production sites, new acquisitions, and partnerships, we have the opportunity to shape the future of Sandoz and help more patients gain access to low-cost, high-quality medicines, sustainably.

Our momentum is powered by an open, collaborative culture driven by our talented and ambitious colleagues, who, in return for applying their skills experience an agile and collegiate environment with impactful, flexible-hybrid careers, where diversity is welcomed and where personal growth is supported! 

Join us!

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

We are committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

#Sandoz

Skills Desired

Collaboration, Communication Medium, Corporate Communication, Curiosity, Employee Engagement, Internal Communications (Ic), Marketing, Media Relations, Multimedia, Photography, Social Media, Strategic Communications, W3