Associate Director, R&D Communications -Cardiometabolic Health

Lilly • Indianapolis, IN

4d • $132,000 - $193,600

About The Position

The Associate Director, R&D Cardiometabolic Health Communications is the dedicated communications lead for Lilly’s cardiometabolic health pipeline and is accountable for data congress strategy and milestone data communications. Embedded with R&D counterparts in cardiometabolic health, the role also maintains a dotted-line relationship with the Cardiometabolic Health therapeutic-area communications lead. It leads communications across the scientific lifecycle of cardiometabolic health assets, from preclinical development through first regulatory approval, ensuring data milestones are planned strategically, connected to Lilly’s broader science narrative, and executed to a high standard. The position is a trusted advisor to senior R&D and therapeutic-area leaders and reports to the Senior Director, Global Data Storytelling Communications.

The role develops communications strategy and positioning for early-, mid-, and late-stage pipeline assets; plans congress and publication communications; supports executive visibility and counsel; and leads proactive and reactive media relations. It works across therapeutic areas and enterprise communications teams to integrate narratives and congress activity, and prepares communications frameworks and rapid-response plans for competitive and reputational issues. The position also collaborates across communications and manages agency partners and external resources.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, science, public relations, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of communications experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare environments.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States; Lilly does not anticipate sponsoring employment visa status for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Strong understanding of the cardiometabolic landscape, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular outcomes, MASH, and the competitive dynamics of the field.
• Demonstrated communications experience in cardiometabolic health or a closely related therapeutic area.
• Proven experience with clinical data communications, congress strategy, and media relations.
• Experience providing strategic communications counsel to senior executives.
• Ability to translate complex scientific and clinical data into compelling narratives for media, investors, policymakers, patients, and other audiences.
• Ability to develop proactive narratives around data milestones rather than responding reactively.
• Strong media relations skills, including experience engaging top-tier science, health, and business journalists.
• Experience with publication planning and collaboration with medical affairs.
• Sound judgment in high-pressure situations with significant reputational implications.
• Proactive, anticipatory mindset and discipline in preparing for emerging issues and competitive dynamics.
• Track record of communications work that drove measurable business outcomes.
• Strong executive presence and credibility with senior stakeholders across R&D, commercial, and corporate functions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own early-, mid-, and late-stage communications strategy and positioning for the cardiometabolic health pipeline.
• Build narratives ahead of data milestones and connect data readouts to Lilly’s broader enterprise science story.
• Develop congress strategy for cardiometabolic health data.
• Partner with medical affairs and R&D to align publication strategy with communications objectives and support peer-reviewed disclosures with proactive media and stakeholder engagement.
• Advise senior cardiometabolic health R&D and therapeutic-area leaders; prepare executives for media interviews, scientific congresses, and other high-stakes engagements.
• Develop executive visibility strategies and supporting materials.
• Develop and execute proactive media strategies for pipeline milestones, maintain relationships with relevant journalists, and manage reactive inquiries with the broader media relations team.
• Coordinate with therapeutic-area leads, Emerging and Portfolio Science, Global Consumer Science Communications, and Scientific Storytelling Communications to integrate narratives and congress presence.
• Contribute to the enterprise data release playbook and unified congress presence.
• Develop messaging frameworks, scenario plans, and rapid-response protocols for therapeutic-area competitive and reputational issues.
• Partner across communications to execute plans and manage agency partners and external resources.

Benefits

• Company bonus, depending in part on company and individual performance.
• Eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k).
• Pension.
• Vacation benefits.
• Eligibility for medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits.
• Flexible benefits, including healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts.
• Life insurance and death benefits.
• Certain time-off and leave-of-absence benefits.
• Well-being benefits, including an employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior