(Archived) Head of Communications, U.S. Operations

Head of Communications for U.S. Operations

Role Description

The Head of Communications for U.S. Operations at Zoetis is responsible for communications strategy, planning and execution for Zoetis’ U.S. business, which generates half of the company’s $6.7 billion in annual revenue. The Head of U.S. Communications is a member of both the U.S. business leadership team and the Corporate Affairs and Communications leadership team and reports to the EVP, Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications.

The Head of U.S. Communications will partner with the EVP and President of U.S. Operations and the U.S. Operations Leadership Team on communications strategies that drive business priorities and change in a fast growing and evolving business. This includes executive and leadership communications for the business President, brand and reputation building initiatives for Zoetis specific to our U.S. business, colleague engagement and change communications to address shifts in go-to-market approaches, organizational changes, customer experience, embracing technology and new ways of working. The person will partner with business unit colleagues leading marketing communications to ensure connectivity to our Zoetis purpose and brand. The Head of U.S. Communications will be an important partner to the Global Customer Experience lead and ambassador for corporate initiatives including sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion, and colleague wellness, and be a “connector” across the business.

The Head of U.S. Communications is part of the Corporate Affairs and Communications team and will have a counterpart leading U.S. Corporate Affairs focused on Federal and state legislation, regulatory policy, trade and industry organization relations, and retail and food chain relations. The two will be important partners and collaborators to deliver on the value of Corporate Affairs and Communications for the U.S. business.

The Head of U.S. Communications will be responsible for a broad portfolio of communications for U.S. Operations, which includes:

• Developing a U.S. communications plan aligned to the overall business strategy; corporate priorities of innovation, customers experience, leadership in digital and data, high performing culture and sustainability; and the Zoetis story.
• Partnering with the EVP and President of U.S. Operations on thought leadership communications and supporting his internal and external profile among colleagues and customers, other key stakeholders through media, events and digital communications on critical company opportunities and industry issues in the U.S.
• Developing a colleague communications strategy for U.S. Operations that drives business objectives, supports new ways of working and change and connects to the company growth strategy.
• Developing and maintaining a regular cadence of communications for the U.S. business and U.S. President.
• Partnering with the Global Head of Customer Experience to support communications.
• Partnering with the Head of the U.S. Public Affairs to deliver on policy and industry opportunities that engage the U.S. President and leverage corporate communications channels.
• Partnering with business unit marketing communications colleagues to advise on plans and major initiatives and ensure alignment to the Zoetis brand and purpose.
• Leading on crisis communications around U.S. business issues in partnership with product and operations teams and related functions.

The Head of U.S. Communications will possess a combination of strategic thinking, project management, relationship management, communication and leadership skills and have experience contributing as a business leader with a functional communications expertise.

To be successful, the Head of U.S. Communications must have the ability to:

• Lead communications strategy and execution leveraging resources in corporate communications and in the business areas
• Prioritize competing needs in a fast-paced environment
• Provide valuable communications counsel to influence business decisions
• Lead through influence
• Find common ground across the US business while being adaptable to the cultures of teams across our diverse businesses
• Partner with colleagues across the Corporate Affairs, Marketing, HR and other functions to achieve common goals and leverage resources
• Be proactive in raising opportunities and issues
• Advocate for support and resources in line with the business need/opportunity
• Be able to engage at all levels of the organization
• Bring innovative and pragmatic thinking to communication issues
• Be a voice for various internal and external stakeholder perspectives
• Act with integrity, candor and a sense of ownership for the business

Requirements:

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in communications, journalism, English or related field
• Master’s degree, MBA or certifications in areas of communications a plus
• Animal health, pharmaceutical, diagnostics or petcare experience a plus

Capability requirements:

• 10-15 years of experience and demonstrated skills in developing, managing and delivering internal and external communication strategies and plans in a large, complex organization
• Demonstrated ability to understand business needs and develop strategic communication plans to support those goals and demonstrate the impact and contribution of plans.
• Able to work to tight deadlines, manage multiple projects at once, and maintain professionalism under pressure
• Ability to synthesize complex and technical information and convert it into clear and concise messages for colleagues and other stakeholdersExcellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to successfully counsel and work with senior executives as well as mentor colleagues
• Ability to work effectively within and across functions and levels and build cross-disciplinary teams
• A drive for results and ability to achieve results through cross-functional teams, leveraging organization resources and exerting influence without direct authority
• Self-starter, able to work independently and prioritize to the most impactful projects
• Strong analytical, planning, attention to detail
• Strong B2B2C experience
• Freelance, vendor and agency relationship management experience helpful

Location: Headquarters, Parsippany, NJ

Company Description

As the world’s leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After nearly 70 years innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide -- from livestock farmers to veterinarians and pet owners. The company’s leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. In 2020, Zoetis generated revenue of $6.7 billion (Fortune 500).

The U.S. business includes leading petcare and livestock medicine and vaccine portfolios, and a growing diagnostics business focused largely on petcare.

We have more than 11,000 colleagues globally with diverse skills and capabilities who work across various functions, including sales, research and development, manufacturing, and other functions supporting our businesses globally.

Zoetis is recognized as a great place to work by our colleagues and publications such as Working Mother and Forbes. We are committed to our Core Beliefs, which guide our colleagues’ actions and behaviors: Our Colleagues Make the Difference; Always Do the Right Thing; Customer Obsessed; Run It Like You Own It; and We Are One Zoetis.