Global Head of External Communications

Overview

As a key member of Alfasigma's Communications & Public Affairs Leadership Team, the Global Head of External Communications will be responsible for defining and leading the global external communications strategy to enhance, protect, and amplify the company's reputation on the world stage. This is a highly visible and strategically critical leadership role, working closely with the CEO and Executive Team to shape a reputation that reflects Alfasigma's purpose, advances enterprise priorities, and supports business growth. By building trust and credibility with external stakeholders, the role will position Alfasigma as a respected, innovative leader in healthcare, with reputation serving as a catalyst for competitive advantage and long-term value creation.

Your role

Corporate Reputation & Strategic Planning

• Define and deploy company-wide strategy to build, protect, and elevate Alfasigma's reputation at both global and market levels.
• Lead complex, cross-functional initiatives to ensure cohesive and seamless execution across geographies, business units, and stakeholder groups.

Strategic Communications, Media & Thought Leadership

• Cultivate and sustain robust relationships with key Italian and international media outlets to amplify Alfasigma's strategic narrative.
• Architect and implement integrated, multi-channel strategic communications plans (online and offline) that align with evolving business objectives and corporate priorities.
• Elevate the CEO and senior leadership's public profiles through targeted thought leadership programs, proactive media engagement, and participation in premier global forums (e.g., World Economic Forum, JPM Conference and relevant high-profile forums in Italy).
• Establish and lead a center of excellence to drive consistency, best practice sharing, and flawless execution of communications strategies across markets; build and scale a high-performing corporate press office.
• Own and lead external messaging and communications related to financial results, M&A activity, and capital markets engagement.

Crisis & Issues Management

• Design, implement, and continuously refine comprehensive crisis communications and issues management protocols, including escalation frameworks and response playbooks.
• Collaborate strategically with Public Affairs, Risk, and Legal teams to anticipate, mitigate, and manage reputational risks, ensuring organizational resilience and preparedness.
• Lead, mentor and grow a high-performing internal communications team and manage global agency partners, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.
• Facilitate strong cross-functional collaboration with Marketing, Medical, Corporate Affairs, and other key stakeholders to ensure unified messaging and reputation strategy alignment across all regions.
• Influence senior market leaders and key stakeholders to adopt and implement strategic communications plans, building their capabilities and commitment to Alfasigma's brand and business objectives.

Leadership & Global Collaboration

• Lead, mentor and grow a high-performing internal communications team and manage global agency partners, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.
• Facilitate strong cross-functional collaboration with Marketing, Medical, Corporate Affairs, and other key stakeholders to ensure unified messaging and reputation strategy alignment across all regions.
• Influence senior market leaders and key stakeholders to adopt and implement strategic communications plans, building their capabilities and commitment to Alfasigma's brand and business objectives.

Location & Compensation

Location: Milan

Salary range: 150.000€ - 190.000€

The compensation range indicated in this job posting represents an estimated average range for the position. The final remuneration will be determined based on the selected candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications, in accordance with applicable EU pay transparency and pay equity requirements.

Qualifications

Who are you?

• At least 15 years of experience in external communications within a dynamic, fast-paced environment, with a proven track record of developing and executing communications strategies that drive business success and reputation management.
• Background in content development and strong experience in media relations at global, regional, and local levels.
• Extensive expertise in crisis communications, managing high-profile corporate issues at a global level, with a demonstrated ability to lead crisis response and navigate complex issues while protecting the company's reputation.
• Strategic thinker and hands-on implementer,