Associate Director, Strategy & Media Relations

Bristol Myers Squibb • Princeton, NJ

6d

About The Position

The Associate Director, Media Relations, reports to the Senior Director, Global Media Relations and executes a global media relations strategy to advance Bristol Myers Squibb’s reputation among key audiences. The role requires strong media judgment and storytelling, the ability to navigate a fast-paced news environment, and effective management of scope, timelines, and resources.

The position advances the company narrative through proactive and opportunistic engagement with print, broadcast, and digital media; develops and pitches storylines; manages announcement cadence; and builds relationships with top-tier media. It also creates media materials, prepares and trains spokespeople, maintains media resources, monitors external trends, supports issues management and rapid response, communicates announcements internally, and manages agency partners. The role champions thoughtful use of AI and emerging tools to improve media insights, content, efficiency, and impact.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher; a minimum education of a bachelor’s degree is required.
• At least seven years of media relations experience.
• Excellent writing and research skills, knowledge of AP style, and keen attention to detail.
• Existing relationships with top business, consumer, and financial media.
• Strong business acumen and demonstrated ability to understand and translate business strategy.
• Strong writing and storytelling capabilities, including the ability to translate complex scientific, business, policy, or societal issues into clear, compelling messaging.
• Ability to effectively counsel senior leaders.
• Ability to interact effectively with colleagues at many levels across a complex, highly collaborative organization.
• Superior written, verbal, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• High proficiency with digital communications and effective use of online platforms.

Nice To Haves

• Communications, journalism, or a related field of study.
• Pharmaceutical industry experience.
• Issues management experience.

Responsibilities

• Execute a global, top-tier media strategy aligned with corporate positioning to advance the company narrative and enhance reputation through proactive and opportunistic engagement across print, broadcast, and digital media.
• Drive a continual cadence of news flow by managing the sequence and strategy of announcements.
• Identify, develop, and pitch unique storylines and content opportunities that advance the company’s strategic positioning.
• Build and maintain relationships with top-tier media, manage incoming media requests, and conduct proactive and opportunistic outreach.
• Develop media materials, including pitches and interview talking points.
• Prepare background and briefing materials, plan logistics, and train spokespeople for critical media and public speaking opportunities.
• Apply strong judgment and media acumen when engaging with reporters.
• Oversee development and maintenance of best-in-class media resources, promoting consistency, usability, and operational excellence across teams.
• Champion thoughtful use of AI and emerging tools to improve insights, content, and the efficiency and impact of media engagement.
• Monitor external trends and insights to advise where and how BMS should have a voice and inform media strategy development.
• Share external announcements with internal audiences to advance workforce knowledge of BMS people, medicines, positions, and performance.
• Support issues management and rapid response.
• Manage agency partners, including scope, timelines, and utilization, to support effective delivery within budget.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefit plans, including wellbeing support, retirement and financial protection benefits, and medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance offerings, subject to applicable plan terms and eligibility.
• U.S.-based exempt employees are eligible for Flexible Time Off without a set accrual limit, subject to manager approval, and 11 paid company holidays each year.
• Non-exempt employees, RayzeBio employees, and employees located in Puerto Rico receive 160 hours of paid vacation annually for new hires, subject to manager approval, 11 paid company holidays, and 3 optional holidays.
• Depending on eligibility, additional time-off benefits may include paid sick leave, up to two paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, and leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, or military needs.
• Eligible employees may receive an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
• Eligible employees may be offered discretionary incentive cash and stock opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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