Senior Communications Program Manager

Careers that Change Lives

Together, we can change healthcare worldwide. At Medtronic, we push the limits of what technology can do to help alleviate pain, restore health and extend life. We challenge ourselves and each other to make tomorrow better than yesterday. It is what makes this an exciting and rewarding place to be.

In this role, you will be responsible for supporting and managing the creation, development, and effective execution of internal and external communications strategies in the Cardiac Rhythm Management Integrated Operating Unit (CRM), one of the largest Operating Units at Medtronic.

In this dynamic and varied role, your work will include communications strategy development, organizational change management communications, creating and implementing product launch communications, and issues management. Your work will focus primarily on supporting one or two CRM businesses, and will flex across CRM based on business need.

This role can be based Minneapolis or remotely.

This role will be hybrid – part time in the Mounds View office and part time remote.

It will report to the Vice President of Communications for CRM.

You can grow your career with us; we hope you’ll consider joining our team!

A Day in the Life

• Supports the development and implementation of the internal communications strategies, analyzes effectiveness of internal communications efforts, governs and improves existing processes, and researches new internal communication approaches
• Develops and executes change management communications that inform, align, and engage employees
• Uses expertise in internal relationship management to advise and influence leaders, and to provide counsel and coaching to ensure effective communication to employees
• Manages and executes communications activities around business announcements including communications approach, organizational structure, employee recognition, etc.
• Maintains strong relationships with relevant CRM leaders to support their communications, ensuring that key messages are delivered
• Shapes messages and leverages communications channels to effectively inform, align and engage diverse audiences, including a tech/innovation/engineering-focused workforce
• Creates and implements measurable integrated communication plans, effectively reaching external and internal audiences including the news media (traditional, social, digital)
• Manages communications, in consultation with vice president, around issues management including cybersecurity, regulatory actions, product launches, and other critical events
• Manages PR agencies / consultants for seamless integration and program implementation
• Collaborates with the CRM Communications team to tell a cohesive, consistent story to all applicable audiences
• Demonstrates strong skills in organizational communications to shape messages, create communication channels, develop strategic communication plans and provide insights and information at both the strategic and tactical level
• Acts as a spokesperson for the assigned business(es)

Must Haves

• Bachelor's Degree and 7+ years of progressive responsibility in the communications field, in either a business environment or agency OR Master's degree and 5+ years of experience

Nice to Have

• Experience with issues management, reputation management, and media relations
• Experience with creating and implementing employee communications plans, including change management
• Experience as a thought partner and communications advisor to business leaders
• Experience working with and managing PR agencies / consultants
• Experience effectively managing multiple, changing priorities
• Strong written and interpersonal communications skills essential
• Excellent stakeholder management and strategic, communications counseling skills
• Solid project and time management skills; must be able to manage multiple assignments simultaneously and shift focus adeptly
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with colleagues at all levels of the organization
• Interest or experience working on and leading communications to engage remote employees
• Problem-solving and negotiation
• Ability to engage, brief, and manage third-party vendors on specific projects
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, as well as knowledge of industry-standard file types, such as PDF, JPEG, BITMAP, TIFF, etc.
• Ability to travel up to 20%