Media Communications Director (All Star) -Washington D.C.

Media Communications Director (Business Litigation/Issues Manager I) – Washington, DC – 1182

Role Purpose
This position is primarily responsible for building and managing relationships with business media consistent with the Investor Relations strategy; responsible for providing strategic communications counsel and support for litigation matters and for managing business-related issues.
Accountabilities
• Responsible for building and managing relationships with business media 
• Responsible for working with legal team and Basel on litigation matters and implementing communication strategies.
• Develop media strategy based on the growth initiatives to advance the company’s reputation
• Participate, as needed lead, issues management initiative; support the crisis communications team.
• Serve as the clearinghouse for media relation/issue management teams’ written materials, and responsible for coordinating global approval of marketing teams’ news releases.
• Administer the corporate giving program to advance the company’s reputation.
• Responsible for corporate media relations coordination between NAFTA businesses and Basel media relations office, particularly press release process.

Knowledge, experience & capabilities -

Critical knowledge

Minimum BA degree in communications or related field. Knowledge of business media; knowledge of internal/external sources to accomplish communications goals; knowledge of the ag chem industry; responsible for corporate media relations coordination between NAFTA businesses and Basel media relations office, particularly press release process. corporate communications/media relations best practices and requirements; understand of how the public perceives Syngenta’s products and their potential to impact the environment.

Critical experience

Minimum 5 years corporate communications experience with financial communications familiarity; business media contacts; media relations and crisis communications experience. Experience in counseling management on critical/sensitive issues. Experience in managing projects, budgets and vendors. Agriculture industry experience preferred.

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities 
The candidate must have the following competencies:
• Superior written/oral communications skills
• Ability to communicate in a sometimes hostile environment and remain calm
• Organization skills – ability to remain focused and motivated while coordinating several projects at once and flexibility to deal with demanding deadlines and ability to shift priorities easily
• Managing diversity - ability to build rapport with a wide variety of internal and external audiences (media)
• Team and Results orientation -Attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task and deliver high performance in a matrixed environment. 
• Ability to identify, secure and manage high value consultants and vendors for optimal results. Able to influence without authority.
• Ability to handle sensitive/confidential information in a professional manner
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Sound judgment.

Additional Information 
• Integrity and Trust- Seen as direct, truthful individual. Can present the unvarnished truth in an appropriate and helpful manner. Able to keep confidences. Admits mistakes.
• Functional/Technical Skills- Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment
• Flexibility to deal with demanding media deadlines and needs of internal "customers"; high professionalism and good judgment skills; ability to build rapport with a wide variety of internal and external contacts.
• Successfully generate media coverage on the company’s strategy thought leadership position. Maintain well-established media relationships to the point where story ideas are routinely shared. Effectively manage litigation issues with internal teams.

Syngenta offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including market-based pay, health/dental insurance, a generous 401(k) program, paid time off, tuition reimbursement and relocation assistance.

Qualified candidates should apply today! Please submit your application online at HYPERLINK "http://www.syngentacareers.com" www.syngentacareers.com EOE.