At Bayer we’re visionaries, driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges and striving for a world where ,Health for all, Hunger for none’ is no longer a dream, but a real possibility. We’re doing it with energy, curiosity and sheer dedication, always learning from unique perspectives of those around us, expanding our thinking, growing our capabilities and redefining ‘impossible’. There are so many reasons to join us. If you’re hungry to build a varied and meaningful career in a community of brilliant and diverse minds to make a real difference, there’s only one choice.

Director, External Communications- Crop Science

YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary responsibilities of this role, Director, External Communications Crop Science, are to:

• Design of strategic and proactive communications programming, with a heavy focus on earned media to protect, defend and grow the Bayer brand in the U.S.;
• The earned media strategy will include implementation of an executive visibility program for the President of Crop Science North America (CS NA) and the proactive positioning of innovations, approaches, and our people to increase positive sentiment among priority stakeholders;
• Earned media support will focused on influential media across the United States; including mainstream and trade media that help shape our narrative in agriculture and the industry broadly;
• This leader and team will be responsible for preparing executives and subject matter experts to engage with key reporters and to represent Bayer, the CS business, product portfolio and other initiatives as appropriate;
• This role will collaborate with the Global Issues Communications team for CS on issues. This role handles commercial issues, leading the response to product or portfolio issues in the U.S. or N.A. market and coordinating closely with the Global Crop Science team on Global issues from a U.S. or N.A. market perspective;
• Issues could include scientific advisory panels, product performance issues, freedom to operate topics, etc.;
• This leader and team will partner with and/or serve as subject matter experts to other U.S. CS, Canadian CS, Global CS and U.S. platform colleagues as needed in the proactive management of product or portfolio publicity or issues which impact the company’s business or reputation in the U.S., especially as it relates to our products, farmer customers and dealer/licensee network;
• This leader will also be responsible for collaborating with other communications functions to create integrated campaigns to drive the CS agenda, reputation in the U.S. and for the broader footprint of Bayer in the United States. This includes playing a key role in the editorial planning process for media engagement the US for Bayer;
• As needed, this leader and their team will create supplemental public relations programming, communications strategies, and tactics to support major product launches or initiatives;
• As budgets allow and needs dictate, this leader will also work with agencies and/or contractors in support of the team’s overall goals and objectives;
• Create and lead a team responsible for the media relations and product support of the CS business;
• Lead and manage a team in the design and execution of proactive campaigns and programming that advance the U.S. crop science business, and advancing the Bayer brand in agriculture overall in the U.S.;
• Establish, maintain, and strengthen relationships with agricultural and industry journalists;
• Establish a measurement program to set/track goals and adjust programming based on result Interact with agencies to help drive public relations programming and extend overall impact of communications programs;
• Other tasks and duties as assigned.

WHO YOU ARE

Your success will be driven by your demonstration of our LIFE values. More specifically related to this position, Bayer seeks an incumbent who possesses the following:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree;
• Demonstrated ability in the formation and leadership of teams to create strategic and proactive communications campaigns to support business objectives;
• Mastery of proactive media relations strategies and the ability to drive earned media coverage that benefits the business and reputational agenda;
• Ability to lead and work collaboratively across various organizational structures to achieve tangible results for the business;
• Understanding of digital and social media and potential opportunities and threats in creating proactive campaigns;

• Demonstrated ability in developing and managing budgets;
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite of tools;
• Experience in working with industry trade groups, outside public relations and advertising agencies, senior management, and employees at all levels of the organization;
• Must have sufficient experience and skill to provide expertise and direction to a wide range of activities with a variety of objectives;
• Ability to command the attention and respect of other members of senior management and, at the same time, understand the intricacies of dealing with people, particularly third-party individuals and organizations, the behavior of which can have a significant impact on the success or failure of the business both regionally and internationally;
• Proven ability to be diplomatic and articulate;
• Politically astute and able to influence people with disparate views and priorities to advance the best interests of Bayer and Crop Science;
• Demonstrated clear understanding of the business goals, objectives, plans and priorities of the company;
• High level of energy, initiative, and ownership; Self-starter and a passion for winning
• Demonstrated success in conceptual and problem-solving capabilities;
• High result orientation with proven track record of strong implementation skills;
• Strong interpersonal, partnering, and influencing skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 15 years of overall experience in public relations, communications, journalism or related field or experience preferred;
• Experience in U.S. agriculture and agribusiness or similar other highly regulated industry is preferred.

#LI-US