Birgit Held

Birgit Held is the Global Head of Communications and Business/Market Services for the Life Science business of Merck. In this role, she is responsible for internal communication for its 28,000 Life Science employees, as well as for external communication, brand strategy, and creative services.

Prior to joining the company, Birgit spent eight years at the family-owned BENTELER Group, a global automotive and steel tube company with around 25,000 employees. As Vice President of Communications & Marketing Birgit managed a global team across 26 countries focused on successfully implementing strategies for change management, digital marketing, sustainability and financial communications, while developing, protecting and promoting the corporate and product brands through engaging content and campaigns.

Birgit brings more than 20 years of experience in corporate and digital marketing, change management and journalism. She has a proven track record in relation management with employees, work councils, media stakeholders, customers, consumers, shareholders, and online audiences. She also has a strong professional background in B2C and B2B marketing, brand management, digital communication as well as employer branding.

Prior to BENTELER Group, Birgit worked for 15 years at the global consumer goods company Essity. There, she held various positions in communications and consumer goods marketing at the local, regional, and global level.

Birgit holds a master’s degree in Communications, Marketing and Advertising, Psychology and Media Law from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany. Birgit is based in Darmstadt, Germany.