Sr Media Relations & Public Affairs Manager

Company Description

At Intuitive, we are united behind our mission: we believe that minimally invasive care is life-enhancing care. Through ingenuity and intelligent technology, we expand the potential of physicians to heal without constraints.

As a pioneer and market leader in robotic-assisted surgery, we strive to foster an inclusive and diverse team, committed to making a difference. For more than 25 years, we have worked with hospitals and care teams around the world to help solve some of healthcare’s hardest challenges and advance what is possible.

Intuitive has been built by the efforts of great people from diverse backgrounds. We believe great ideas can come from anywhere—we strive to foster an inclusive culture built around diversity of thought and mutual respect. We lead with inclusion and empower our team members to do their best work as their most authentic selves.

Passionate people who want to make a difference drive our culture—our team members are grounded in integrity, have a strong capacity to learn, the energy to get things done, and bring diverse, real-world experiences to help us think in new ways. We actively invest in our team members to support their long-term growth so they can continue to advance our mission and achieve their highest potential. 

Join a team committed to taking big leaps forward for a global community of healthcare professionals and their patients. Together, let’s advance the world of minimally invasive care.

Job Description

Primary Function of Position:

Work with the Vice President of Global Public Affairs, the Vice President and General Manager of Italy and other cross-functional teams to develop and implement a proactive media relations and patient advocacy strategy for Italy. This strategy will support Intuitive’s business objectives, product clearances and launches, customer milestones, and patient‑focused storytelling, while remaining aligned with regional and global priorities.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Develop Intuitive’s Italian media relations function and strategy. This includes both the day-to-day tactical elements of media outreach and education (content development, media monitoring, measurement and reporting) and the near and longer-term comprehensive media strategy to help protect and promote Intuitive’s business, products and reputation in Italy.
• Oversee and set clear direction for the external media relations agency, establishing high standards and KPIs, and ensuring delivery of measurable results and ROI aligned with Intuitive’s objectives.
• Serve as primary Intuitive media contact in Italy, managing and responding to media inquiries, and coordinating with internal stakeholders to ensure timely, accurate, and strategic responses.
• Ensure consistency of corporate messaging in Italy, while tailoring responses to suit country-specific nuances.
• Prepare press materials including press releases, statements, messaging, pitches, fact sheets, talking points, op-eds, and editorial content.
• Build and maintain relationships with key journalists across health, business, and technology sectors.
• Proactively look for storytelling opportunities within Italian market and to pitch accordingly.
• Provide media relations support at meetings, conferences, and events, while identifying new storytelling opportunities.
• Collaborate cross-functionally across Italy teams and with global colleagues to ensure strategic alignment, consistent messaging, and maximum impact. Role is a key ecosystem partner with functions (clinical affairs, government affairs, market access, others) providing subject matter expertise to support strategic projects.
• Provide strategic counsel and recommendations on Italy‑specific media and reputational considerations to the Vice President of Global Public Affairs, the Italy Vice President and General Manager, and other local leaders, helping anticipate sensitivities, assess risk, and shape appropriate communications approaches.
• Build and maintain relationships with relevant patient organizations and advocacy groups to support patient education and insights that are aligned with Intuitive’s mission and areas of focus.

Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 8+ years of experience in media relations, including within global healthcare, pharma, MedTech sectors, or other regulated industries.
• Established press contacts and relationships, especially in the Italian and European or medical device, healthcare or technology space.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex topics into clear, engaging content.
• Exceptional organization skills, detail oriented and proven ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Must be fluent in English and Italian.
• Able to travel throughout Italy, to Europe-based meetings and Intuitive’s headquarters in Sunnyvale, U.S, as required.
• Proven track record of success in proactive media placements and issues management, with a strong news sense and instinct for identifying impactful stories.
• Proficient at triaging and prioritizing incoming requests from internal teams, media, and external partners, ensuring timely and strategic responses.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver proactive media results that align with strategic business objectives and elevate reputation.
• Skilled in project management and organizational execution, capable of driving multiple initiatives in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment.
• Confident communicator with experience collaborating across functions and engaging with senior leadership.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to quantify the impact of our work to the wider business.
• Experience managing relationships with external agencies.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to engage with multiple stakeholders across matrixed organizations and build trust and relationships needed to partner and accomplish objectives.

Additional Information

Intuitive is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer:  In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employees who are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government’s licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (“TCP”) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).  

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee’s start date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes. 

This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on
business need and/or on the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidate’s qualifications, consistent with applicable law.