Primary Function of Position:
Intuitive’s Global Public Affairs (GPA) team is at the center of driving and developing the company’s media relations, policy and patient advocacy, government relations and thought leadership strategy and activities.
The Senior Media Relations & Public Affairs Manager, UKI, is responsible for contributing to all facets of the team’s mission to protect and promote the company.
The primary focus of the role is to develop and execute a strategic, successful media relations and program supporting Intuitive’s business in the UKI region. This includes an array of responsibilities with respect to media, issues management and stakeholder engagement.
From a media relations perspective, these responsibilities include but are not limited to: pursuing proactive positive media coverage and triaging incoming media inquiries; serving as Intuitive’s UKI
media contact; developing media and external messaging and materials (press releases, media statements, talking points and more); developing relationships with key external partners and collaborators (surgeons, Trusts, third party organizations) and creating platforms for them to champion the value and benefits of RAS and Intuitive.
From an issues management perspective, this includes working closely with media relations counterparts in Europe and around the world to anticipate and reactively manage issue communications; and serving as the UKI issues management lead for reputation focused issues, responsible for developing strategic plans, messaging and guidance for media and other audiences, including customer-facing Intuitive team members.
The role is also responsible for driving public affairs and advocacy work in the UKI region, both in supporting and aligning with the UKI Government Affairs strategy, as well as serving as the lead on a robust campaign focused on patient advocacy education and engagement aligned with business priorities.
This position will develop strong relationships and work closely with cross-functional colleagues, including with GPA, across Europe and within the UKI, across a variety of internal stakeholders, including Sales, Clinical Affairs, Marketing, Regulatory Affairs, GAVE, Customer Training, Legal and more.
Roles and Responsibilities:
This position will have the following responsibilities within and across media relations, public affairs and patient advocacy:
- Develop and execute a comprehensive media relation, patient advocacy and public affairs strategy that balances promotional, story-telling opportunities and risk management, in alignment with commercial priorities.
- Develop key media relationships with strategic outlets; proactively pitch stories and story-telling opportunities that promote an understanding of our company, technology, and its value to surgeons, Trusts, and patients, while differentiating from competition.
- Triage day-to-day media inquiries.
- Provide media counsel and training to internal spokespeople, including executives, as well as to external champions (KOLs, patient advocate), as needed.
- Manage the day-to-day relationship with our UKI media relations agencies.
- Draft and update press materials (media statements, talking points, etc.) in real-time to respond to media inquiries and collaborate across departments to manage the internal approval process and assure awareness across key internal stakeholders.
- Align with global strategies, ensure consistency of corporate messaging and positioning within the UKI markets, while tailoring responses as appropriate.
- Attend surgical/medical/thought-leadership conferences and trade shows to provide media relations and public affairs/advocacy support as needed.
- Draft materials required to help communicate the company’s policy positions and/or in support of the UKI government affairs strategy in conjunction with the Director of Government Affairs.
- Engage with third parties (opinion leaders, business partners, PAGs – among others) and RAS clinical champions in support of media relations and public affairs campaigns.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:
Competency requirements: (Competency is based on: education, training, skills and experience) In order to adequately perform the responsibilities of this position the individual must have the following qualifications:
Writing and Editing
- Demonstrated superior writing and editing skills and strong experience drafting clear, compelling media strategy, messaging, and materials (press releases, media plans, statements, talking points, thought-leadership presentations and more).
- Demonstrated ability to write and edit materials quickly and thoroughly related to healthcare and technology topics.
Market Knowledge
- Previous experience in, or work with a healthcare company is desirable: medical device, pharmaceutical, hospital, healthcare; or a similarly regulated industry with a complex business environment.
- Competence in knowledge of TV, radio, print and online publications targeting general, business and healthcare/sector specific audiences, as well as in policy, public affairs campaigns, social media, patient associations and trade organizations in the medical/healthcare industry.
- Previous experience working for or with US or foreign-based companies or in a global corporate and matrixed environment.
- Understanding key industry issues related to: innovative medical technologies, robotic-assisted surgery, reimbursement.
- Experience in policy communications and thought leadership/conference strategy.
Miscellaneous
- Minimum 12 years’ experience in media relations, public relations, public affairs, corporate communications and/or journalism experience required.
- Experience educating colleagues about best practices in media and public relations.
- Exceptional judgement, deadline- and service-oriented and able to work effectively under pressure to meet media requests.
- Flexible, calm, and experienced in providing strategic counsel during time-sensitive situations.
- Willing to contribute to projects that fall outside of core responsibilities, as needed.
- Able to execute effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Self-starter who is able to manage day-to-day operations while remaining in regular contact with direct supervisor.
- Must be fluent in English.
- Degree from an accredited university or college.
This position is based in England.
Intuitive is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.
We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.
