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

Just by the banks of the Limmat you’ll find our largest global hub in Zürich West – On Labs – where you can hike up 12 floors through our custom-built spiral trail

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
• 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

Ready to dig into the details?This second interview will be held with your future manager and will focus on the specifics of the job. Together you’ll delve into your unique skills and experiences and how they could be relevant at On. It's also a time to assess how you might feel working side-by-side. Bring any questions you have about the job, the team or anything else you might like to know – this is an open forum

Are we a good fit?We’ll get together internally to share our feedback and decide if we’re a match. We know that job searching is a big time investment, so it’s not a decision we take lightly. It’s also time for you to reflect on the experience – are we the right place for you?No matter the outcome, we’ll give you meaningful feedback

You'll start by submitting your application to a specific role