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Senior Lead - Communications, Crisis & Issues Management

Location: Zurich

In short

As one of the fastest-growing sportswear brands, On is gaining new fans with ever-increasing momentum. We seek a Senior Lead for Communications Crisis & Issues Management, focusing on preparedness for and management of reactive communications issues. As part of the Communications organization at On that holistically manages the reputation of the company, this role will be instrumental in ensuring that we mitigate and manage risks to the perception of On in the public globally.

Your Mission

Crisis Preparedness: Develop, implement, and regularly update comprehensive crisis communication and scenario plans, protocols, and playbooks to ensure On is prepared for a wide range of potential issues and crises
Messaging & Content Development: Develop clear, concise, and empathetic reactive messaging, talking points, FAQs, press statements, and other communication materials in close collaboration with the content leads and regional comms leads - both rapidly under pressure and in a preparatory database
Issues Identification & Monitoring: Proactively identify, assess, and monitor emerging issues, trends, and potential risks from across the business, working closely with the BCM and ECM functions. Regularly conducting comprehensive reputational risk assessments
Reactive Communications Leadership: Help lead and coordinate the communications response during actual incidents and crises, acting as a central point of contact for all communications functions, involved teams and spokespeople and ensuring the distribution of timely, accurate, and consistent messaging to all relevant stakeholders (media, consumers, employees, partners, etc)
Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate closely with internal departments, including Legal, People & Culture, Operations, Product, Sustainability, and others, to develop clear crisis & issues management processes and protocols, gather information, align on response strategy, and ensure a unified voice during issues
Spokesperson Training & Crisis Simulations: Help prepare and train designated spokespeople for crisis situations, equipping them with the necessary information and skills to communicate effectively. Implement company-wide training programs regarding crisis and reputational risk management
Post-Crisis Analysis: Conduct thorough post-crisis reviews and analyses to identify lessons learned, refine processes and protocols, and strengthen future crisis preparedness

Your story

You have a minimum of 7-10 years of dedicated experience in crisis communications, issues management, corporate communications, or public relations, ideally at a communications consultancy or within a fast-paced, international corporate environment, or a specialized agency. Specialized certifications in crisis management are a plus
You have a proven track record of successfully managing complex and high-stakes reputational issues and crises, from initial assessment to resolution.
You have a detailed understanding of crisis communication best practices, including rapid response protocols, stakeholder mapping, and message development under pressure
You have a demonstrated ability to remain calm, composed, and decisive in high-pressure situations, providing clear guidance and leadership
You have strong analytical abilities, with the capacity to anticipate and research (potential) issues, assess risks, and develop effective mitigation strategies
You have exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex information into clear, actionable, and empathetic messages
You are fluent in English, knowledge of German is a significant plus
You are experienced in working collaboratively with cross-functional teams and advising senior executives on sensitive matters
You are highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities simultaneously in a dynamic and often unpredictable environment

two women sitting at a table talking with laptops

Happy women smiling and chatting in the office

What we offer

On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically – to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, so each person is led by purpose.

On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.

Build the better you

What to expect

We want to set everyone up for success, so here’s the lowdown on how we hire. Our process is a two-way street – bringing you into our culture, while helping us learn how you think.

Our full process can last about eight weeks from application to offer, because we care about getting it right. These steps explain how we usually do things.

Before you get started, feel free to consider if you want to work with us. Strange question? Well, we give people a lot of space to navigate their day-to-day and that style isn't for everyone. We want you to be passionate about what you do and be sure this is the right fit. Because when skills and passion combine – it creates that 'Wow' moment.