At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic communications to enhance brand preference and engage stakeholders in life sciences.
- Company: Leica Microsystems, part of Danaher, known for innovation in life sciences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of science.
- Other info: Join a high-performing team that embraces technology and fosters continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while driving change and innovation.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in communications with leadership experience; advanced degree preferred.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Leica Microsystems, a Danaher company, is looking for a Head of Communications to drive brand preference and business impact across our life sciences portfolio. The role reports to the VP, Life Sciences Communications and requires onsite presence at one of our sites in Switzerland, the UK or Austria.
In this role, you will have the opportunity to:
- Serve as a strategic partner for the LMS President and leadership team, providing senior communications counsel.
- Develop and execute a comprehensive integrated communications strategy for LMS to drive brand preference, scientific leadership and associate engagement.
- Design and implement a leadership communications strategy for the LMS President to promote thought leadership and engage internal and external stakeholders.
- Lead change communications strategy and execution for LMS change initiatives, building advocacy and coaching leaders and people managers.
- Provide rapid response capabilities for LMS-level issues, mitigating risk and protecting brand equity with robust crisis protocols and scenario planning aligned with the global enterprise framework.
- Establish metrics linked to business outcomes and brand preference to measure impact and optimize future initiatives.
- Lead and inspire a high-performing communications team, fostering a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, innovation and accountability.
- Empower the team to leverage advanced communications technologies, including AI, to enhance strategic delivery.
The essential requirements of the job include:
- 10+ years of progressive experience in communications, marketing or a related field, preferably in diagnostics, life sciences, pharmaceutical, biotech or healthcare sectors.
- At least 5 years of leadership experience, with proven ability to coach leaders, manage execution through others and lead teams.
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
- Proven success in executive thought leadership, corporate communications (including product, science & technology communications) and associate engagement.
- Exceptional strategic thinking and influence, gaining stakeholder trust to advance priorities.
- Robust business acumen with strong financial and commercial understanding, translating business priorities into high-impact communication strategies.
- Demonstrated ability to leverage data and insights to measure impact, solve business problems, optimize strategies and inform decision-making.
It would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in:
- Crisis and issues management in regulated industries.
- Change management strategy and execution.
- Use of technology and AI to optimize communications activities, with an understanding of the impact on team structure and capabilities.
Join a team that accelerates the real-life impact of tomorrow’s science and technology.
Head of Communications, Leica Microsystems employer: Leica Microsystems
Leica Microsystems, a Danaher company, is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and excellence, particularly in the dynamic field of life sciences. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and development, we offer unique opportunities for strategic leadership and impactful communication within a collaborative environment located in Switzerland, the UK, or Austria. Our commitment to leveraging advanced technologies, including AI, empowers our team to drive meaningful change while ensuring a supportive workplace that values creativity and accountability.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Communications, Leica Microsystems
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Communications, Leica Microsystems
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of Leica Microsystems. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at Leica Microsystems.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leica Microsystems
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
✨Know Your PR Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
