Desired Job Title
Director of CommunicationsSenior Director, Strategy CommunicationsDirector- Corporate Communications and BrandWork Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
On-SiteRemoteLocation: Walnut Creek, CA, US
Open to relocation: Yes
Steve Kelly
Communications Professional
Walnut Creek,CA
Work Preference
Summary
Repeated success leading communications for Fortune 500 organizations. Public relations (PR) and communications expert with talent for measurably increasing positive company visibility and reputation in top-tier, local, regional and trade media. Accomplished in media relations, executive communications, brand development, crisis, social media, external and internal communications, and increasing employee engagement. Trusted advisor to senior management (up to and including C-Suite), able to align multiple stakeholders and build consensus across multiple organizational levels. Experience across several industries including healthcare, life sciences, government and technology, for both large and small companies.
Experienced leader with strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for collaborative approach and commitment to excellence.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Communications
Santen Pharmaceuticals
10.2020 - 04.2026
- Led North American communications efforts for Japan-based global pharmaceutical company.
- Responsible for all brand communications, internal, external, media, crisis and executive communications.
- Oversaw a team of three, responsible for all regional communications, web, social media, media relations, communications strategy, executive communications and company reputation.
- Built communications capabilities including FDA approvals, R&D and pipeline, clinical trials, agency management, media relations, brand management patient advocacy and work with advocacy organizations.
Head of Corporate Communications and Brand
VitalConnect Inc.
06.2020 - 03.2025
- Part-time employee for company in the healthcare space (remote patient monitoring) working on media relations, external and internal communications, social media, executive visibility, events, employee engagement and communications strategy.
- Raised media coverage by more than 300%
- Strategic Counsel to CEO
- Planned and organized all trade shows and events
- Organized and hosted regular Town Hall meeting and employee updates
Senior Director, Strategy Communications
Kaiser Permanente
07.2019 - 05.2020
- Led communications strategy, and execution, to support Kaiser Permanente’s national Growth & Affordability strategic business goals.
- Responsible for providing complex communications strategy, management, consultation, planning, implementation and recommended solutions for the Kaiser Permanente organization, functions, programs and projects across a broad variety of internal and external audiences (KP leaders, employees, influencers, media, members, consumers, etc.).
- Supported organizational business strategies and to promote and protect the KP brand.
- Provided oversight and/or leads communications strategies and tactics that support the growth and market strategies essential to KP’s strategic plans, revenue, membership and margin goals.
- Provided strategic thinking and leadership skills that enable teams to: identify and optimize business solutions through strategic communication leadership.
- Evaluated findings and made formal recommendations to a number of stakeholders including up to C-level KP executives; design communications strategies that optimize KP business strategies, programs and priorities.
- Brought forth technical/content expertise (competitive intelligence, business acumen, sophisticated communications strategies, tools and techniques).
- Mentored/reviewed/approved team member communications recommendations and work.
- Member of National Leadership team responsible for Communications Strategy
Director- Corporate Communications and Brand
Cardinal Health
05.2017 - 06.2019
- Led communications activities for Cordis North America, including media relations, brand communications, internal and executive communications, strategy and partnerships.
- Led all activities for outreach and communication to regional, trade and national media.
- Compose, edit and set strategy for all executive, internal and external communications.
- Head strategic communications for company initiatives requiring thought leadership, advocacy, cross-stakeholder coordination and engagement.
- Led communications in the Healthcare space for Cordis, a Cardinal Health Company.
Vice President, Patient Engagement Lead
Patient Health Perspectives
03.2016 - 10.2016
- Performed strategy development, budget management, new business and account management duties for pharmaceutical industry clients.
- Actively recruited patients for public relations, internal videos, advisory boards, testimonials and patient feedback needed for FDA compliance.
- Effectively administered budgets greater than $1,000,000. Advised clients on annual brand planning, strategy and resource alignment resulting in savings of more than 10 percent of annual budgets.
- Developed and managed use of technology and data-based tools to improve team effectiveness.
- Directed team of communication’s firm professionals working with pharmaceutical industry customers.
Director, Global Public Affairs
Abbott
09.2012 - 02.2016
- Directed all corporate communications and media relations for healthcare division while directing a team of seven and agency resources. Results included year-over-year increase in positive media coverage for the division and premier products in target media and increased sales.
- Primary media spokesperson responsible for increase of divisional communications and increases of story placement in trade and top-tier media by at least 15 percent year-over-year.
- Directed all activities of agency partners, vendors and consultants.
- Directed all internals communications for division, responsible for an increase in employee engagement each year. Wrote and distributed all executive communications and town hall meeting content.
- Led M&A communications on several highly visible division acquisitions.
- Managed global media outreach; acquiring positive stories in top outlets in strategic countries including: U.S., China, India, Brazil, Spain, Japan, UK, the Netherlands with an increase of stories year-over-year on targeted products and regions.
- Created cross-functional roadmap for corporate brand, events, congresses, milestones, announcements, publications, physician education and presentations, leading to sales increases of more than 20 percent annually.
- Member of, and trusted advisor to, division president’s senior staff. Created executive visibility and thought leadership platform and delivered coverage increases year-over-year.
- Collaborated with Investor Relations on financial messaging for CEO earnings reports.
- Collaborated with government affairs, IT, investor relations, marketing, legal, regulatory and other disciplines to manage multi-channel stakeholder engagement on topics critical to company sales and success leading to additional reimbursements and positive company reputation.
- Leader of global PR and communications for Vascular division.
Director, Global Public Relations and Corporate Communications
Philips Healthcare
01.2006 - 08.2012
- Managed global public relations activities for $11 billion division. Directed crisis communications, operations and PR agency management. Trained media spokespeople and guided messaging prior to and during press interviews.
- Consistently increased trade media coverage each year by at least 10 percent annually and tripled coverage in top-tier media in first two years.
- Improved corporate visibility by creating, implementing and managing integrated public relations and external communications plans.
- Developed and maintained successful relationships with NY Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, AP, Reuters, Bloomberg and other key business and trade reporters, leading to positive company messages and increased share of voice.
- Directed strategic planning and development of all communications announcements and system of measurement that aligned with company sales goals.
- Represented company on boards of industry associations (NEMA, AdvaMed) in order to consult on industry reputation and crisis communications.
- Wrote and edited all external communications including press release content, media messaging, web and social media content, trade show PR messages and crisis communications messaging.
- Served as strategic lead and primary media contact for all divisional communications.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Wisconsin
Madison, WISkills
- Global PR and Media Relations
- Strategic Business and PR Planning
- Corporate Branding
- Crisis Management
- Internal Communications and Engagement
- Alignment of Multiple Stakeholder Groups
- Executive Communications, Visibility and Thought Leadership
- Social Media and Media Measurement
- Social media strategy
- Crisis management
- Internal communications
- Multimedia storytelling
- Analytics tracking
- Media relations
- Press releases
- Influencer partnerships
- Campaign coordination
- Website maintenance
- Product positioning
- Business growth
- Brand messaging
- Brand management
- Communications strategy
- Media outreach
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Team leadership
- Public relations
- Public speaking
- Strategic planning
Timeline
Director of Communications
Santen Pharmaceuticals
10.2020 - 04.2026
Head of Corporate Communications and Brand
VitalConnect Inc.
06.2020 - 03.2025
Senior Director, Strategy Communications
Kaiser Permanente
07.2019 - 05.2020
Director- Corporate Communications and Brand
Cardinal Health
05.2017 - 06.2019
Vice President, Patient Engagement Lead
Patient Health Perspectives
03.2016 - 10.2016
Director, Global Public Affairs
Abbott
09.2012 - 02.2016
Director, Global Public Relations and Corporate Communications
Philips Healthcare
01.2006 - 08.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Wisconsin