From Cars to COVID to Canada: How Seizing Opportunities Built a Global Career

For Julien Guyomard, a career in communications has taken him from the production lines of French car factories to the global stage of the Paris 2024 Olympics and finally to leading communications for Sanofi Canada.

His 17-year journey with Sanofi demonstrates how embracing diverse opportunities within one organization can create a rich, multi-dimensional career path spanning countries, crises, and extraordinary projects.

Since joining Sanofi in 2007 after six years in the automotive industry, Guyomard has progressed through seven distinct roles – mostly in Lyon – moving from internal editorial management to product communications, crisis leadership during COVID-19, Olympic torch relay coordination, and now country-level leadership in Canada.

His story illustrates how Sanofi enables employees to build meaningful careers by following their passions, taking on stretch assignments, and embracing international mobility – all while developing professionally and personally.

The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Your career journey started in a completely different industry. What prompted your move from automotive to pharmaceuticals?

I was quite happy in the car manufacturing industry, always working in communications – that's where I was born professionally. But when the opportunity to move to pharma emerged, the positive impact Sanofi makes to peoples’ lives appealed. I was particularly attracted by the company’s vaccine work.

How did your communications experience transfer between such different industries?

The core communications principles remained the same – understanding and sharing stories that build pride and belonging. I started as an editorial manager at Sanofi, creating print magazines and video content. What changed dramatically was the scale. When I joined Sanofi I immediately started working with colleagues across the United States, Canada, India, and China. I was impressed by the international dimension and the opportunity to create connections across borders.

Your career took an unexpected turn during the pandemic. How did that experience shape your professional development?

When COVID hit, I became the lead for our COVID program communication, which was extraordinary. I was used to short and intense crisis communication – a few days or weeks. We were in crisis mode for almost two years. To give you a sense of the magnitude, we issued 25 global press releases during that period. I'd probably had 10 or 12 total in the rest of my career within the vaccines space. The pandemic put vaccines in the headlines worldwide day after day for months.  

It was exhausting but provided an unprecedented boost in learning and experience. Crisis situations compress years of professional experience into months – you're making critical decisions quickly, coordinating globally, and communicating under heightened scrutiny. These are skills that continue to serve me in my career at Sanofi. 

You had a unique opportunity to work on the Olympic torch relay. How did that come about? 

That was another example of raising my hand for an opportunity at Sanofi. I'd always been passionate about sports – I played handball for 25 years and was raised in Caen, Normandy on Rue (street) Pierre de Coubertin [named after the father of the modern Olympic Games]. My sister even works in the French Olympic Committee. When I learned Sanofi was partnering with the Olympics, I knew I couldn't miss this chance. 

I coordinated the Olympic and Paralympic torch relay, managing 10 events in four months across various French cities and Sanofi sites. What I enjoyed most was the momentum within Sanofians – everyone was excited to contribute to this historic moment. We brought colleagues from all over the world to participate, either as volunteers, torch bearers or internal ambassadors – so-called ‘Igniters.’ It truly embodied the Sanofi family coming together for something extraordinary. 

How did your three-month assignment in Canada ultimately lead to your current role? 

For years, I'd wanted an experience abroad but hadn't found the right opportunity. Then Sanofi offered me a three-month Gig (short-term assignments designed to help Sanofians gain new skills, expand their networks, and explore opportunities) in Canada to support their local communication team during a restructuring. I worked as a communication advisor, helping build up the team, strengthen processes, and provide coaching. 

After returning to France, I received a call because the Head of Communications in Canada had moved to a different project. The initial discussions happened in Athens, where I was coordinating the Olympic flame ceremony. I asked them to let me finish the torch relay first, which they respected. Three days after the Paralympic torch relay stopped in Lyon – where I could finally show my kids what I'd been working on – we were on a flight to Toronto to start my role in Canada. 

What differences have you noticed working in different countries within Sanofi? 

There are certainly cultural differences and different levels of organizational maturity, but what remains consistent is the Sanofi spirit. In both France and Canada, I've found the same openness, cross-functional dialogue, and strong sense of purpose. It's a smaller organization in Canada, which brings different dynamics, but the core values translate remarkably well. 

I appreciate how Sanofi recognizes that bringing diverse perspectives together – whether from different countries, functions, or industries – ultimately strengthens the organization. My background in automotive, experience in crisis communications, and work on special projects like the Olympics all inform how I approach my current role. 

What advice would you give to others considering joining Sanofi or exploring new opportunities within the company? 

I encourage everybody to take any opportunity for development, even if it seems tangential to your career path. My short-term assignment in Canada materialized into a permanent role months later. The COVID crisis was terrible globally, but professionally it was an incredible learning opportunity. 

Be transparent about your aspirations. I openly shared with management, colleagues, and HR partners that I wanted an experience abroad and aimed to be a head of communications. You drive your own career, certainly, but capturing opportunities comes from talking, engaging, and building your network. 

Sanofi is a vast company internally, with countless connections you can make. Keep exploring and building relationships across functions and geographies. That's how doors open. The culture here truly supports those who are curious and willing to take on new challenges. 

Finally, what makes Sanofi a special place to build a career?

I feel very blessed to have had so many opportunities. And that comes not just from the company itself, but from the people making the company. The openness and culture we have creates opportunities and a very favorable context for your own development and for feeling valued in your role. 

After 17 years, I am energized by the combination of meaningful work – ultimately helping patients – and the chance to grow and try new things continuously. Whether you're looking to specialize deeply in one area or explore different functions and countries as I have, Sanofi provides the support and opportunities to build a career that's truly yours.