Manager – Communications, CZ/SK

At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life-changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work, but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us.

Position Purpose

The Manager – Communications, CZ/SK is the day-to-day communications management for Lilly's business in Czechia and Slovakia, operating under the strategic direction of the Associate Director – Communications, Czech Cluster. This role executes the local communications strategy across internal and external channels, while actively identifying opportunities to strengthen employee engagement, leadership visibility and Lilly's reputation in Czechia and Slovakia. The role is a trusted local partner to the CZ/SK leadership team and business partners, ensuring the Cluster communications strategy is brought to life with market-specific relevance, and acts as the primary point of contact for local media, agencies, and internal stakeholders.

Communications Execution & Local Leadership Partnership

Execute the annual CZ/SK communications plan in line with the Cluster communications strategy set by the Associate Director, adapting content and timing to local market needs.

Act as a trusted communications partner to the CZ and SK Country Managers and local leadership teams, providing day-to-day counsel on messaging, channel selection, and stakeholder sensitivities.

Translate Cluster and enterprise narratives into locally relevant, culturally appropriate content for Czech and Slovak audiences.

Keep the Associate Director informed of local developments, risks, and opportunities that may affect Cluster-wide communications planning.

External Communications & Media Relations

Manage day-to-day media relations in Czechia and Slovakia, including responding to media inquiries, drafting statements, and maintaining relationships with local journalists and outlets.

Draft, localize, and coordinate approval of press releases, talking points, Q&As, and other external materials for CZ/SK, ensuring full compliance with Lilly procedures, disclosure requirements, and local regulations.

Support proactive media outreach for product launches, corporate milestones, and therapeutic area initiatives, in partnership with the Associate Director and relevant business functions.

Monitor local media coverage and sentiment, flagging emerging issues and supporting execution of crisis and issues-management plans as directed.

Coordinate with patient advocacy, PRA, medical, marketing, legal, and ethics & compliance colleagues on local external communications activity.

Internal Communications, Culture & Change

Own execution of the local internal communications calendar for CZ/SK, including newsletters, intranet content, email communications, and digital channels.

Plan and deliver country-level town halls and leadership forums, covering logistics, content drafting, leadership briefing materials, and post-event follow-up.

Support delivery of change and organizational communications for local restructures, new capabilities, and process or system changes, ensuring consistent, clear messaging.

Contribute to the visibility strategy for local leadership, helping identify and create opportunities for leaders to engage employees directly.

Partner with local HR contacts on people-related communications (e.g., organizational changes, employer branding, policies), providing communications and channel support.

Governance & Ways of Working

Operate within Lilly's matrixed communications model, ensuring local content and messaging align with Cluster and global standards while functional owners retain subject-matter ownership.

Support tracking of local communications effectiveness measures (e.g., readership, engagement, media coverage quality) and report results to the Associate Director.

Maintain and continuously improve local communications templates, processes, and channel usage for efficiency and consistency.

Manage relationships with local agencies and vendors supporting communications activities, within approved budget and guidelines.

Education, Qualifications & Experience

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree required; degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field preferred.

Minimum 5–7 years of experience in communications, with exposure to both external/media relations and internal communications.

Experience gained in a communications, public relations, public affairs, or integrated communications agency environment is considered a strong advantage.

Demonstrated ability to independently manage communications projects and priorities in a fast-paced, matrixed organization.

Pharmaceutical, healthcare, or other highly regulated industry experience preferred.

Experience supporting senior leaders and executing communications plans in a matrixed business environment.

Experience balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution and operational excellence.

Capabilities

Strong written and verbal communication skills in Czech or Slovak and English, with sound editorial judgment.

Ability to manage multiple deliverables, stakeholders, and deadlines with strong attention to detail.

Strategic, proactive, and solutions-oriented mindset, with the ability to identify communications opportunities and emerging risks.

Solid understanding of media relations practices and local media landscape in Czechia and Slovakia.

Experience with digital communications tools, intranet platforms, and content/editorial planning.

Understanding of corporate reputation management, executive visibility, and integrated communications approaches across earned, owned, and shared channels.

Collaborative and proactive, comfortable working with ambiguity and coordinating across functions without formal authority.

Sound judgment, resilience, and a high degree of ownership and accountability.

Demonstrates curiosity, learning agility, and a growth mindset, with a willingness to challenge the status quo and continuously improve how communications support business outcomes.

Language

Fluent Czech and/or Slovak required; fluent English required.

Travel

Occasional travel across Czechia and Slovakia; periodic travel to Cluster meetings as needed.

Success Measures

Quality, consistency, and timeliness of CZ/SK communications across internal and external channels.

Positive feedback from local leadership and employees on town halls and leadership communications.

Effective local media engagement and issue response, aligned with Cluster reputation goals.

Timely, accurate execution of change and people-related communications in support of local business priorities.

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form ( https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation ) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.

Lilly does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location.  The anticipated wage for this position is

Kč1 315 500 -  Kč1 929 400

Full-time equivalent employees may also be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a pension plan; vacation benefits; eligibility for healthcare benefits; flexible benefits (if applicable) life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities). Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.

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