Dr. Nina Schwab-Hautzinger

Dr. Nina Schwab-Hautzinger

Current job:
Head of Corporate Communications & Government Relations at BASF SE

Studies in Mannheim:
Media and Communication Studies

Highest degree:
Doctorate

Career

I studied German Literature, Media and Communication Studies, and Sociology in Mannheim. I liked the combination of research, teaching, and practical orientation at the university right from the start. During my semester abroad in Waterloo, Canada, I gained international experience and intercultural competencies. I was able to sharpen these skills as a communication and strategy consultant at Hill+Knowlton Strategies in Singapore.

After obtaining a doctorate from the Department of Communication and Media Research at the University of Zurich, I worked in the communications department at Roche in both Switzerland and Germany for more than ten years. I occupied various positions including Global Head of Corporate Brand & Communications at the headquarters in Basel.

Since November 2020, I have been heading the Corporate Communications & Government Relations unit at BASF Group and, together with my team, I have been responsible for all areas of communications: external strategic positioning, media relations, brand strategy, crisis communications, employee communications, and advocacy. I am particularly delighted with BASF’s focus on sustainability and climate protection, its strong corporate culture, and the team spirit among colleagues. I also enjoy the challenge of translating complex research and innovation topics into compelling stories. As a company, we are undergoing constant change, developing new technologies for our customers, and facing changing demands from politics and society. We are therefore constantly challenged, and my job never gets boring.

Tips for starting your career

Throughout my career, I always chose jobs according to my passion for the tasks and the purpose of the company. At BASF, it was their vision of sustainability that convinced me, for example. It is also what drives me every day to achieve excellent results with my team. That is why I would encourage you to be passionate about professional challenges that inspire you, to gain experience, and acquire specialized knowledge. Be confident and deliberately leave your own comfort zone every now and then. My second tip: exchange your views with peers, mentors, or network members. In this way you can benefit from the experiences of others, learn about different approaches in life, and find out what suits you best. In the past few years, this was extremely helpful for me to find fresh inspiration and expand my horizons. And finally: walk through life with an open and positive attitude. Remain flexible to be able to adjust to new demands quickly, and be willing to continuously develop both personally and professionally.

Relevance of the studied program

I decided to study at the University of Mannheim because of its then new program in Media and Communication Studies and its close ties to businesses. The university provided the ideal conditions for me to find out what my interests are and which career I would want to set foot in. I also enjoy looking back on my time with Artes Liberales, an association that supports students of the humanities and social sciences. With the association, we had many discussions with professionals and made excursions to media companies in the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region. In this way I was able to combine both theory and practice throughout my studies. Practicing academic writing and research during the program taught me to understand complex topics quickly and present them in a coherent way—an experience I still benefit from each day.

 Last updated: February 2023

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