Melanie Heßler - Crisis Communication Manager

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 1 month

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 1 month

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

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.