Director, Strategic Communications, Varian Business Area
Siemens Healthineers
Summary
Siemens Healthineers is seeking a Director of Strategic Communications to join its cancer-care business, Varian. This leadership role sits at the intersection of business strategy, executive influence, and storytelling, shaping how we communicate with employees, customers, and the broader oncology community.
Job description
As part of Marketing & Communications, you will lead a team responsible for executive communications, internal and employee communications, change communications, and social media. You will play a central role in advancing Varian's cancer care narrative, translating business priorities into integrated communications strategies that align stakeholders, strengthen trust, and drive engagement.
Responsibilities
- Lead a high-performing communications team responsible for executive communications, internal and employee communications, change communications, public relations, and social media, ensuring an integrated approach that supports Varian's priorities.
- Partner with senior leadership to translate business priorities into compelling executive narratives, thought leadership, presentations, and strategic communications that drive clarity, alignment, and engagement.
- Lead external communications and reputation strategy, partnering with Siemens Healthineers Corporate Media Relations to amplify Varian's cancer care narrative while expanding executive visibility and thought leadership across media, social, and other strategic channels.
- Direct communications for key business initiatives and organizational transformation, helping employees understand strategy, navigate change, and connect their work to business priorities.
- Oversee Varian's social media strategy, ensuring Varian's business priorities and cancer care narrative are effectively represented across Siemens Healthineers social channels while strengthening executive visibility through strategic thought leadership.
- Develop and coach a high-performing team, fostering collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence while measuring communications effectiveness and business impact.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, or related field
- 10+ years of experience in communications, including public relations, media relations, and executive communications in a corporate or agency environment
- Experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing communications teams
- Experience in MedTech, healthcare, or a similarly regulated industry, with strong understanding of compliance considerations
- Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to adapt voice across executives and audiences
- Exceptional ability to develop executive-ready materials, including presentations that simplify complex topics and drive clarity, alignment, and action
- Strong executive presence and ability to advise senior stakeholders
- Experience working in fast-paced, high-pressure environments with competing priorities
- Demonstrated success navigating complex, matrixed organizations and building strong cross-functional relationships, and influencing without authority
- Experience using digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance communications, insights, and content development
Job Specific Requirements
- This is a hybrid role based in Palo Alto, requiring weekly in-office presence
- 10-20% travel (domestic and international)
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, or related field
- 10+ years of experience in communications, including public relations, media relations, and executive communications in a corporate or agency environment
- Experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing communications teams
- Experience in MedTech, healthcare, or a similarly regulated industry, with strong understanding of compliance considerations
- Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to adapt voice across executives and audiences
- Exceptional ability to develop executive-ready materials, including presentations that simplify complex topics and drive clarity, alignment, and action
- Strong executive presence and ability to advise senior stakeholders
- Experience working in fast-paced, high-pressure environments with competing priorities
- Demonstrated success navigating complex, matrixed organizations and building strong cross-functional relationships, and influencing without authority
- Experience using digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance communications, insights, and content development
Benefits
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Life Insurance
- Long-term Disability Insurance
- Short-term Disability Insurance
- Paid Parking
- Public Transportation
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Sick and Safe Time
Company overview
Siemens Healthineers is a German multinational medical technology company specializing in diagnostic and therapeutic imaging, laboratory diagnostics, and molecular medicine. Founded in 2017 as a spin-off from Siemens AG, the company has established itself as a global leader in healthcare technology with a comprehensive portfolio that addresses the complete care continuum for many of the world's most threatening diseases. With approximately 69,500 employees worldwide and operations in over 70 countries, Siemens Healthineers generates annual revenues exceeding €21 billion. The company's product offerings span across four main business segments: Imaging (including CT, MRI, ultrasound, and X-ray systems), Diagnostics (laboratory and point-of-care testing), Varian (cancer care and radiation therapy), and Advanced Therapies. Siemens Healthineers is particularly renowned for pioneering breakthroughs in medical imaging, having developed the world's first commercial PET/CT scanner and continuing to innovate in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital health solutions, and precision therapy. The company's commitment to research and development, with annual investments of approximately €1.5 billion, drives its mission to pioneer breakthroughs in healthcare for everyone, everywhere, sustainably.