REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
The position reports to the Vice President Global Communications.

COMPANY BACKGROUND
The company is a medical device organization and the world leader in its field. The firm is publicly traded. Offering the industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of products and solutions, which maximize safety, reliability, efficiency and comfort, the organization is focused on product leadership, science and innovation and customer care and is dedicated to the highest scientific standards and principles.

Headquartered in the Zurich area of Switzerland, the company generates global revenues over EUR €600 million and employs over 2,500 dedicated, interdisciplinary and highly skilled people across the globe. Proud of its heritage, the organization has achieved:

• The largest share of its global market
• The highest percentage share of American and Asian markets
• A strong foothold and a direct presence in the high-growth, BRIC markets: Brazil, Russia, India and China
• Direct sales organizations in 37 countries and a distribution network covering more than 70 countries
• Six state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities

The Vice President Global Communications heads a team of 12 highly qualified and motivated communications experts who cover a broad range of areas within the communications functions, including:

• Marketing/product management
• Scientific communications
• Global branding/media planning
• Public relations
• Internal communications
• Website and product specific activities/programs

Most of the team members are based in Switzerland while four individuals are based in the regions.

One of the key strengths of the Global Communications team is the do-it-yourself approach, the pragmatic and hands-on culture to get things done with very little support from external partners. It is the team’s aspiration to deliver maximum value to the firm by keeping as much content ownership as possible and delivering results in close co-operation with corporate marketing and the country organizations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Marketing Communications Manager is, together with his/her team of two individuals, responsible for the professional management, creation and editing of the company’s corporate marketing communications (product) material including brochures, advertising, catalogues, manuals, etc. that promote the company and its products, solutions and services. He/she manages the entire cycle from planning, idea to production, in accordance with the marketing and communications processes, strategy and plan. The Marketing Communications Manager collaborates with the business units, marketing departments and markets in order to generate attractive and effective marketing and product communications materials that highlight the company’s products and solutions including their benefits and unique selling propositions and address the customers’ needs. He/she ensures the professional management of marketing communications projects, defining best practice communications materials and standards, and ensuring that project goals are reached in the most effective, consistent and efficient way.

The Marketing Communications Manager also drives and supports the continuous development of project management tools, initiatives, guidelines and processes to implement and improve product communications activities in the area of marketing communications. He/she coordinates and supervises project implementation and handling on a corporate, regional and local level.

Furthermore, as a member of the Global Communications team, he/she contributes to the development of the global communications strategy and plan. He/she supports key communications projects such as publications, reports, new media activities, events, PR activities, etc. with his/her product and copywriting expertise.

The team currently consists of one technically, highly qualified person and a second person (position currently vacant).

TASKS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategy

• Contribute to the development and management of the marketing communications strategy including definition and management of key product initiatives and projects, key message management, advertising, budget, etc.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the global communications strategy

Project management, planning, corporate communications

• Identify, initiate, develop, and manage state of the art communications solutions, processes, and tools to communicate to the market the organization’s strategy and approach, products and their benefits, treatment solutions and services
• Drive and manage the development and implementation of entire product communications projects
• Contribute to developing Global Communications as a company-wide center of competence
• Be informed and in control of corporate and market-wide product activities, including benchmark
• Help in building and managing a network of external copywriters and clinicians for text and case study generation

Marketing and product communications material

• Manage projects in the area of marketing/product communications for the dental market including product brochures, leaflets, product fact sheets, product advertising, videos, animations, product renderings, product texts, etc.
• Create concept, write and edit product copy, etc.
• Establish, develop and manage relations with internal and external stakeholders including the business units, marketing and clinical departments, events team, T&E, associations, key international and national editors, and creative and advertising agencies
• Establish and maintain excellent internal and external relationships with key information sources

Advertising

• Support the development of effective global product advertising campaigns

Events/trade shows/exhibitions

• Support and manage global and corporate events with product content

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Professional experience paramount to success in this role includes:

• Solid experience in the medical device industry or, alternatively, in a communications agency having supported medical devices companies, ideally in an international environment
• Sound experience in a marketing communications function within midsized or large international organizations preferred; strong writing skills with several years of track record in medical copy writing
• Proven project management experience: process, budget, timing, etc., with experience sourcing and managing external vendors and agencies is a plus
• Knowledge and interest in other communications-related fields such as internal communications, events/trade shows/exhibitions, market communications, new media communications, etc.
• While leadership experience is not an absolute requirement, the ability to lead a small team is a must
• Excellent English communication skills, both spoken and written; any other language is a plus

In terms of the personal characteristics, the ideal candidate will possess the following abilities and skills:

• Be an energetic, hungry and diplomatic communications expert with a balanced personality and a good sense of humour
• Results-oriented and at ease with being measured against tough deliverables and timelines
• Willing to go the extra mile and perform within a dynamic, high quality team
• Able to get the job done in a pragmatic and independent manner with a strong view on the achievement of set milestones; willing to roll up his/her sleeves
• Stamina to stand firm against the pressures which originate from various internal and external stakeholders
• Strongly committed to quality and ethical business practices, as well as impeccable integrity
• Leadership ability with emphasis on motivating his/her team with a ‘can do’ attitude; develop employees to maximize their potential and deliver results
• Good interpersonal and presentation skills with internal and external stakeholders; credible
• Good networker with the ability to negotiate and manage agencies and other external vendors
• Possess strong organizational skills including the ability to successfully manage multiple challenges and opportunities simultaneously
• Strong team player
• Solid active listening skills; be service/consulting oriented
• Passionate and committed to the business and the company vision

EDUCATION
A university degree (Bachelor’s) or the equivalent combination of education and/or experience. An advanced university degree (Master’s) or the equivalent combination of education and/or experience is considered a plus.

KEY LEADERSHIP FACTORS

• Understanding the Business
  • Business Acumen
  • Functional/Technical Skills
  • Technical Learning

• Creating the New and Different
  • Dealing with ambiguity
  • Creativity
  • Innovation management
  • Perspective
  • Strategic agility

• Getting Organized
  • Planning
  • Organization
  • Time management

• Managing Work Processes
  • Process Management
  • Managing Through Systems
  • Total Work Systems

• Dealing With Trouble
  • Command Skills
  • Conflict Management
  • Confronting Direct Reports
  • Managerial Courage
  • Standing Alone

• Focusing on Action and Outcome
  • Action Orientation
  • Perseverance
  • Drive for results

• Communicating Effectively
  • Presentation Skills
  • Written Communications

FRAMEWORK FOR PERFORMANCE
As a firm, the company bases all its activities around the following core values:

• Customer Focus
• Empowerment of People
• Innovation
• Integrity
• Passion for Excellence
• Responsibility

COMPENSATION
Our client is committed to appointing the very best person for this role and will provide an attractive base salary with a performance-linked bonus, as well as other potential benefits.

If required, a relocation package will be offered according to the firm’s standard policy.

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Korn/Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis. Korn/Ferry shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in the performance of duties pursuant to this Agreement, including but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and state and local anti-discrimination laws to the extent applicable.