Head of Communications for US 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.

The Head of U.S. Communications is a member of the U.S. business leadership team and reports to the VP, Head Global Commercial Communications.

The Head of U.S. Communications will serve as a senior communications counselor to the 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 U.S. 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 role 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 Colleague and Leadership Communications team and Corporate Communications team serving as an ambassador for corporate strategic initiatives in the U.S. and be a "connector" across the business with other Regional Communications Leads.

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

Additionally, this role will partner with the Petcare and Diagnostic Marketing teams on veterinarian and pet owner communications strategies that build product/brand awareness, drive business priorities, contribute to sales and align to corporate strategies. This includes overseeing PR planning, strategy, and execution for the U.S. Petcare business in partnership with the marketing Therapeutic Area (TA) leads, as well as managing and providing strategic oversight of the PR agency to ensure alignment with business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Establish and implement a U.S. communications enterprise plan aligned to the overall business strategy; with connectivity to corporate priorities and the One Zoetis narrative.
• Provide strategic counsel and support to President U.S. Communications and members of the USLT as appropriate.
• Manage issues related to the U.S. business issues in partnership with the U.S. product teams, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs.
• Work with U.S. marketing colleagues to advise on plans and major initiatives aligned with Zoetis brand and purpose. Support communications plan for U.S. Petcare including specific therapeutic categories e.g., pain, dermatology.
• Develop and grow direct report(s) and foster talent, capabilities and best practices across CA e.g., Global Comms Network

Organizational Relationship

The Head, U.S. Commercial Communications will possess a combination of strategic thinking, project management, relationship management, communication and leadership skills and have experience leading and managing through cross-functional influence. 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

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
• 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 stakeholders
• Excellent 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

Physical Position Requirements:

• Some travel required ~15%
• Occasional after hours/weekend work.

Any unsolicited resumes sent to Zoetis from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Zoetis mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Zoetis employees, or to Zoetis resume database will be considered Zoetis property. Zoetis will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.

Zoetis will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.