Melanie Heßler - Crisis Communication Manager

Q: Where is Melanie based?

Melanie is based in Hamburg, Germany .

Q: What languages does Melanie speak?

Melanie speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced) .

Q: How many years of experience does Melanie have?

Melanie has at least 27 years of experience. During this time, Melanie has worked in at least 20 different roles and for 22 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 1 year and 3 months . Note that Melanie may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Melanie's latest experience?

Melanie's most recent position is Crisis Communication Manager at FMCG .

Q: What companies has Melanie worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Melanie has worked for FMCG , Westenergie AG , Maschinenfabrik Bernard Krone GmbH & Co. KG , Solvium Capital Group , and Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems .

Q: Which industries is Melanie most experienced in?

Melanie is most experienced in industries like Professional Services , Advertising , and Information Technology (IT) . Melanie also has some experience in Telecommunication , Energy , and Pharmaceutical .

Q: Which business areas is Melanie most experienced in?

Melanie is most experienced in business areas like Marketing , Project Management , and Finance . Melanie also has some experience in Human Resources (HR) , Research and Development (R&D) , and Strategy and Planning .

Q: Which industries has Melanie worked in recently?

Melanie has recently worked in industries like Professional Services , Pharmaceutical , and Energy .

Q: Which business areas has Melanie worked in recently?

Melanie has recently worked in business areas like Marketing , Project Management , and Human Resources (HR) .

Recommended expert

Hamburg, Germany

Experience

Jun 2024 - Jun 2024

1 month

Aachen, Germany

Crisis Communication Manager

FMCG

Accompanied ad-hoc internal and external communication after cyber attack during containment phase
Dialogued with employees, authorities (BSI), customers and suppliers
Created communication plan and cybersecurity plan

Jan 2024 - Present

2 years 2 months

Essen, Germany

Public Affairs & Event Manager

Westenergie AG

Managed 360° event management
Oversaw political stakeholder management
Conducted communication activities for energy and heating transition

Oct 2023 - Dec 2023

3 months

Spelle, Germany

Public Relation Manager

Maschinenfabrik Bernard Krone GmbH & Co. KG

Led public relations at Agritechnica 2023
Prepared press releases and media briefings
Developed communication strategy

Apr 2023 - Dec 2023

9 months

Hamburg, Germany

Investor Relationship Manager

Solvium Capital Group

Provided strategy consulting to private and professional investors in logistics sector
Produced newsletter and market updates
Managed telephone contacts with institutional investors

Jun 2022 - Dec 2022

7 months

Kiel, Germany

Internal Communication Manager, Operation Change

Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems

Communicated mobile work agreement and operational changes due to Industry 4.0 reorganization
Reported results of collective bargaining for fiscal year 2022/23
Conducted C-level interviews for strategic realignment on digitization
Facilitated cross-functional teams and workshops

Jul 2021 - Mar 2022

9 months

Hamburg, Germany

Occupational Safety and Health / Internal Relations with Coyo

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA)

Created eight one-minute videos summarizing key information on occupational health and safety topics (flood protection, water protection, fire protection, occupational medicine, hazardous goods, social services, incident management, waste management)
Adapted content for mobile intranet accessibility

May 2021 - Nov 2023

2 years 7 months

Kiel, Germany

Internal Communication and Change Communication

Ferring Pharmaceuticals

Managed internal communication for large remediation project
Delivered change communication for digitalization projects (Veeva QualityDocs, VelocityEHS)
Provided regular site updates (EHS, CEO, Townhalls)
Planned and executed family day for 1,500 participants on 50th anniversary (2023)
Wrote, coordinated and produced two employee magazines
Produced videos for in-house screens

Sep 2020 - Jan 2021

5 months

Mainz, Germany

PMO Campaign Manager

Universitätsmedizin Mainz

Implemented Covid-19 awareness campaign with full budget responsibility
Installed guidance system with walking directions, distance and behavioral instructions within six weeks
Steered agencies and creative team for posters, banners, construction fences, social media, video, comic and hygiene quiz
Won first place 'Patient Communication' KU Award for comic strip "Erna and Victor save the world"

Nov 2019 - Jan 2020

3 months

Aachen, Germany

Consultant

Sensor for Nursing/Healthcare Start-up

Sharpened business plan and developed pitch deck
Produced image video
Prepared marketing and VC documents from scratch

Jul 2019 - Sep 2019

3 months

Change Communication Manager

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

Managed launch and change communication strategy for two digital milestone projects
Provided project management, change communications and internal communications

May 2019 - Jul 2019

3 months

Marketing & Event Specialist

Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners

Planned and supported annual summit marketing and communications
Led press and public relations tactics, content marketing, and social media activities

Jan 2019 - May 2020

1 year 5 months

Interim Manager

Crypto and Blockchain Start-up

Developed pitch decks and presentations; advised PLC on German-speaking market specifications
Acquired sales partners and advanced test applications to signing readiness
Established social media channels and defined content; laid foundations for reputation marketing

Feb 2018 - Sep 2018

8 months

Hamburg, Germany

Communication Manager

Bredenoord GmbH

Managed national internal and external communication, including intranet/extranet and CMS for websites
Oversaw in-house information system (Netpresenter) and staff magazine
Led social media, public relations, fairs and events

Jan 2017 - Dec 2017

1 year

Change Communications Consultant

Focus First

Created onboarding guideline for new consultants
Described ONE Goal© methodology for digital change and internal communications, including health check and success measurement

Jan 2016 - Dec 2017

2 years

Interim CEO

Rheindigital

Led team of 25 content strategists and editors
Managed strategic planning, team development, cost management, new business and billing
Defined inter- and intranet content and social media strategy

Jan 2016 - Dec 2016

1 year

Change Communications Consultant

Reply Riverland / Lufthansa Cargo

Strategically planned change management and communication alongside software implementation
Focused on Industry 4.0 change communications

Jan 2015 - Present

11 years 2 months

Interim Manager Communication - Change and Reputation

Management Leaks

Owner of interim communications specializing in change and growth communications
Expert in change communication, corporate & crisis communication (internal & external), employer branding, content strategy & content marketing, brand image & reputation management, campaign management, public relations & affairs, investor relations and lobbying
Uses project management and agile leadership with OKR and SMART goals; tactics include awareness campaigns, 5-senses strategy & nudging, KISS (keep, improve, stop, start)
Analytical and tactical strength, empathy and creativity; motivator, leader and team builder committed to goals, timelines and budgets

Jan 2004 - Dec 2015

12 years

Hamburg, Germany

CEO

PR Marcom

Founded and led full-service PR, marketing and social media agency for B2B/B2C communication in high-tech, life science, logistics, insurance, sustainable food and beverages

Jan 2002 - Dec 2004

3 years

Munich, Germany

Senior PR Manager

Waggener Edstrom

Senior Account Executive at Microsoft Embedded & Appliance Group in Germany, France and the UK
Managed and coordinated teams across national and cultural borders
Handled analyst relations for Alcatel Annual Forum in Paris for technical analysts and business press

Jan 2001 - Dec 2002

2 years

Munich, Germany

Senior PR Manager

Lewis Communications

Media relations for high-tech companies across EMEA
Project and client management, strategic and tactical PR consulting and planning concepts
Budget responsibility

Jan 1999 - Dec 2001

3 years

Bonn, Germany

PR Assistant

Claudia Conrad Management Consultancy & PR

Assisted in PR and lobbying; wrote speeches and position papers on political situation and developments; conducted research

Jan 1999 - Dec 2001

3 years

Munich, Germany

PR Managing Director

Lucy Turpin Communications

Managed high-tech PR & MarCom agency, client management

Industries Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time. Longer bars indicate deeper hands-on experience, while shorter ones reflect targeted or project-based work.

Experienced in Professional Services (15 years), Advertising (14 years), Information Technology (7.5 years), Telecommunication (3 years), Energy (2.5 years), and Transportation (2.5 years).

Professional Services

Advertising

Information Technology

Telecommunication

Energy

Transportation

Business Areas Experience

The graph below provides a cumulative view of the freelancer's experience across multiple business areas, calculated from completed and active engagements. It highlights the areas where the freelancer has most frequently contributed to planning, execution, and delivery of business outcomes.

Experienced in Marketing (27 years), Project Management (13 years), Finance (4.5 years), Human Resources (3.5 years), Research and Development (3 years), and Strategy (2 years).

Marketing

Project Management

Finance

Human Resources

Research and Development

Strategy

Summary

Melanie Heßler is an expert for highly complex communication tasks, including Change communication, corporate & crisis communication (internal & external), communication offensives, employer branding, content strategy & content marketing (intranet), brand image & reputation management, campaign management, public relations & affairs, investor relations and lobbying.

Internal change communication is a central competence in her broad communication spectrum. Her creative tactics are aimed at planning and implementing change and creating awareness and broad acceptance for growth and change in organisations. She brings 20 years of communications experience to projects. She uses all touchpoints, existing channels and integrates modern dialogue systems where possible or necessary.

Analytical and tactical strength, empathy and creativity are her strengths. She is a motivator, leader and team builder with a strong commitment to goals, timelines and budgets.

Skills

Hands-on Mentality
Goal- And Results-orientated
Socially Competent
Diplomatic
Project Management
Agile Leadership With Okr And Smart Goals
Awareness Campaigns (5-senses Strategy & Nudging)
Kiss – Keep, Improve, Stop, Start
Integrity
Loyalty
Ambition

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Education

Oct 1992 - Jun 1997

Julius-Maximilians-University

Master of Arts · Political Science, Public Law and Sociology · Würzburg, Germany

Oct 1983 - Jun 1992

Private School - St. Angela of the Ursulines

Düren, Germany

Certifications & licenses

Euroforum Seminars - Successful IPO & Investor Relations

Values - Senior Management Training

Waggener Edstrom Academy

Profile

Created

June 2025

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is Melanie based?

Melanie is based in Hamburg, Germany.

What languages does Melanie speak?

Melanie speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced).

How many years of experience does Melanie have?

Melanie has at least 27 years of experience. During this time, Melanie has worked in at least 20 different roles and for 22 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 1 year and 3 months. Note that Melanie may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Melanie be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Melanie would be well-suited for roles such as: Crisis Communication Manager, Public Affairs & Event Manager, Public Relation Manager.

What is Melanie's latest experience?

Melanie's most recent position is Crisis Communication Manager at FMCG.

What companies has Melanie worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Melanie has worked for FMCG, Westenergie AG, Maschinenfabrik Bernard Krone GmbH & Co. KG, Solvium Capital Group, and Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.

Which industries is Melanie most experienced in?

Melanie is most experienced in industries like Professional Services, Advertising, and Information Technology (IT). Melanie also has some experience in Telecommunication, Energy, and Pharmaceutical.

Which business areas is Melanie most experienced in?

Melanie is most experienced in business areas like Marketing, Project Management, and Finance. Melanie also has some experience in Human Resources (HR), Research and Development (R&D), and Strategy and Planning.

Which industries has Melanie worked in recently?

Melanie has recently worked in industries like Professional Services, Pharmaceutical, and Energy.

Which business areas has Melanie worked in recently?

Melanie has recently worked in business areas like Marketing, Project Management, and Human Resources (HR).

What is Melanie's education?

Melanie holds a Master in Political Science, Public Law and Sociology from Julius-Maximilians-University.

Does Melanie have any certificates?

Melanie has 3 certificates. These include: Euroforum Seminars - Successful IPO & Investor Relations, Values - Senior Management Training, and Waggener Edstrom Academy.

What is the availability of Melanie?

Melanie is immediately available for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Melanie?

Melanie's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.