Media Relations Manager, U.S.

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

Intuitive, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, is a global leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic surgery. Our technologies include the da Vinci surgical system and the Ion endoluminal system. By uniting advanced systems, progressive learning, and value-enhancing services, we help physicians and their teams optimize care delivery to support the best outcomes possible.

While our da Vinci surgical systems have now been used in nearly 17 million procedures by surgeons in 72 countries, we’re entering a new, exciting phase of growth globally.

The Global Public Affairs (GPA) team is a multi-disciplinary group focused on enhancing the company’s corporate reputation, mitigating risk, and educating and engaging key audiences across policy, media, advocacy, and healthcare ecosystems. GPA functions involve government affairs, policy and patient advocacy, media relations, and issues management.

Role Overview:
Intuitive is looking for a dynamic, strategic and experienced media relations manager to join our U.S. media relations team. The media relations manager is responsible for developing and implementing media strategies to elevate Intuitive’s profile and protect our reputation.

The successful candidate has expertise in developing and supporting media relations and communications programs that will align with Intuitive’s mission, business priorities and patient-first focus. They have a proven ability to collaborate across business units and with cross-functional partners to surface compelling stories and support strategic priorities through media engagement. Strong relationships with key U.S. media outlets—particularly in healthcare and technology—are essential, along with exceptional communication skills and the ability to manage multiple initiatives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Primary Function of Position:
Work with the U.S. Media Relations Director to develop and implement proactive media relations strategies to support Intuitive’s U.S. business objectives, product clearance and launches, customer milestones and patient-focused stories.

This includes overseeing the day-to-day operations of Intuitive’s U.S. media relations function, including media-focused content development, media engagement, media monitoring, measurement and reporting.

Responsibilities:

• Manage incoming media inquiries, coordinating with internal stakeholders to ensure timely, accurate, and strategic responses.
• Track and report on media inquiries and coverage, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities to inform future strategy.
• Collaborate with PR agency partners to align on priorities, deliverables, and timelines; ensure accountability to KPIs and evaluate media strategy effectiveness.
• Coordinate weekly media coverage reports for Executives and Senior Leaders, working with global colleagues to ensure comprehensive reporting.
• Lead internal efforts in news gathering and story sourcing to support proactive media planning.
• Develop 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.
• Partner with the social media team to amplify earned media across digital channels, where appropriate.
• Manage team planning, processes, and reporting to support operational efficiency and goal achievement.
• Provide media relations support at meetings, conferences, and events, while identifying new storytelling opportunities.
• Collaborate cross-functionally across U.S. teams and with global colleagues to ensure strategic alignment, consistent messaging, and maximum impact.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in media relations, preferably within the healthcare, pharma or MedTech sectors.
• Established press contacts and relationships, especially in the 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.

Experience:

• Proven 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 earned 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.

Role is based in Sunnyvale, CA, or remote with requirement to travel to Sunnyvale, CA, and elsewhere necessary within the U.S up to 35% of the time.

Additional Information

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19.  Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal 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.

Mandatory Notices

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

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including experience, skills, and qualifications. The target base compensation ranges are listed.

Base Salary Range Region 1:$151,500 - $218,100
Base Salary Range Region 2: $128,800 - $185,400
Shift: Day
Workplace Type: Purposeful Onsite - This job requires being onsite for leader-defined events and activities which could be monthly/annually. Onsite frequency may increase based on business need.