Senior Manager External Communications

Posted 7 days ago

abbottChicago (IL)

Public Relations Managers Public Relations Agencies

SENIORITY

Manager

SALARY

$129,300.00 – $258,700.00

Apply

About the role

Job ID: 31162502

Posted: Posted Today

Start Date: 2026-10-01

Location: United States - Illinois - Chicago, United States of America

Time Type: Full time Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Working at AbbottAt Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You'll also have access to: Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of. Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year. An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor's degree. A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune. A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity: This position works out of our Abbott Park, IL location or Willis Tower, Chicago location. Primary Job Function TheSenior Manager, External Communications will play a pivotal role in helping formulate, execute and sustain an external communications strategy for Abbott that positions it as a leading global healthcare company. This position requires a strategic thinker and creative storyteller who has demonstrated the ability to work with top tier media globally and develop compelling storylines. This person must be an excellent writer with a deep understanding of the news business, media trends and navigating the evolving media landscape including the impact of AI. This person must also have a portfolio of media placements driven by him/her that support company reputation across a number of attributes, including quality of management, business strategy and strength, innovation and leading brand. The right candidate will also contribute to the strategy and execution of content generation for a number of the company's social channels and executive leaders.

Core Job Responsibilities:

Position the company as a leading company globally through proactive media relations, social and external communications.
Identify and create content across multiple channels to highlight Abbott's leadership and products.
Cultivate a deep understanding and strong relationship with media and influencers with a keen focus on consumer, trade and business media.
Maintain and develop relationships with consumer, business and financial news editors and reporters through thoughtful, strategic engagement – especially related to company strength, strategy, innovation and brand.
Enhance visibility of the company and protect company reputation.
Prep Abbott leadership before interviews including contributing to key message development and positioning.
On-site management of media interviews and events. A deep understanding and utilization of social media channels and engagement strategies.
Manage a team of media relations specialists and spearhead the PITCH team, an internal team of Abbott media relations experts
Must be a strong teammate who: Operates with principled leadership and sound business ethics, exercising the highest level of integrity.
Has an entrepreneurial mindset combined with an ability to navigate in a large, complex organization.
Takes a global view.
Treats others with respect – listens and cares.

Position Accountability / Scope:

Develops strategy and executes plans to write and produce content (multimedia – digital, social, video, etc.) about Corporate strategy and science/innovation to reach key stakeholders including consumers and business influencers via media relations.
Works extensively with national and international media, as a primary spokesperson in consumer and business media.
Interfaces with various division and corporate constituencies, including government affairs, investor relations, legal, finance, marketing, regulatory, medical, clinical and senior management.
Demonstrates strong understanding of corporate businesses and divisional therapeutic areas, industry, competitive environment and stakeholder landscape to provide effective counsel to division management.
Oversees development of messages, media materials and other communications tools.
Develops issues management plans and oversee execution of plans often acting as company spokesperson.
Develop strategic communications and competitive positioning for the company, with particular emphasis on competitive environment and marketplace.
Oversees PR agency management.
Minimum Experience / Training Required 8+ years of experience in content development (journalism or multimedia)
Excellent writer and communicator who can organize, summarize, clarify and communicate ideas simply, succinctly and accurately.
Experienced user and creator of social media to drive awareness and engagement.
Experience in media relations, with a deep understanding of how to use external communications to enhance reputation.
Skilled at building stakeholder trust to enhance business reputation.
Able to achieve results while dealing with ambiguity and a rapid pace of change.
Demonstrated ability to use communications to drive business results.
Experience in strategic thinking and ability to develop and implement communications plans.

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity. Connect with us at, on Facebook at and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobalThe base pay for this position is $129,300.00 – $258,700.00In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY: Public RelationsDIVISION:PA Public AffairsLOCATION:United States > Chicago : Willis Tower Building 233 S Wacker Dr. ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:United States > Abbott Park : AP06DWORK SHIFT:StandardTRAVEL:Yes, 25 % of the TimeMEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:Not ApplicableSIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day) Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans. EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdfEEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf

Before you apply

Applying takes about a minute. These four things decide how fast it moves after that.

Your profile is current

It's what we read first. Occupations, seniority and locations matter more than a long history.

Two examples you can talk through

Not a portfolio — just two pieces of work where you can explain the decisions and what you'd change.

A number in mind

What you're on now and what would make you move. We negotiate better when we know both.

Your notice period

Employers plan around it, and it's the question that stalls offers most often.

Once you apply, someone reads it and calls you before anything reaches the employer — usually within two working days.