Associate Director, Thought Leadership & Issues Communications

Bristol Myers Squibb • Princeton, NJ

26d

About The Position

The Associate Director, Enterprise Thought Leadership & Issues Communications reports to the Director, Enterprise Thought Leadership & Crisis & Issues Communications. The role executes Bristol Myers Squibb’s global enterprise thought leadership strategy and supports the company’s preparedness for and response to emerging issues and crises. It identifies, plans, and executes opportunities that help BMS leaders deliver a cohesive enterprise narrative, partnering with leader communicators and corporate communications teams on coordination, logistics, briefing and messaging materials, and leader preparation.

The position also supports issues and crisis communications by monitoring emerging issues, developing messaging on complex and sensitive topics, and maintaining and improving crisis communications scenario planning. It works with cross-functional and regional teams on communications strategies for key sites and operations worldwide, providing counsel on matters including cybersecurity incidents, reputational risks, and enterprise-wide events. The role calls for strong judgment, execution and presentation skills, and collaboration in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment.

Requirements

• 8–10 years of experience in corporate communications, thought leadership, media relations, issues management, or related disciplines.
• Proven experience developing and executing earned media pitches that secure thought leadership opportunities with top-tier national, business, healthcare, and trade media outlets.
• Experience supporting and staffing senior leaders or executives in high-visibility external engagements, including speaking opportunities, media interactions, and thought leadership platforms.
• Excellent writing and storytelling skills, including the ability to translate complex scientific, business, policy, or societal issues into clear, compelling messaging.
• Significant experience in media relations, including proactive and reactive engagement with high-profile national and industry media.
• Experience in crisis and issues management, including developing crisis communications frameworks, playbooks, and response protocols.
• Project management skills and proven success managing major projects and deadlines and coordinating within highly matrixed environments.
• Superior verbal and interpersonal communications skills.
• Exceptional problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, Journalism, Political Science, or another relevant field.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in healthcare, life sciences, or another highly regulated industry.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute thought leadership opportunities that elevate the BMS leadership team’s voice in telling the company’s story.
• Identify, evaluate, and recommend strategic thought leadership opportunities for Leadership Team members in alignment with business priorities.
• Develop earned media pitches to secure thought leadership opportunities with top-tier national, business, healthcare, and trade media outlets.
• Lead execution of strategic sponsorship opportunities aligned with business objectives, reputation priorities, and executive thought leadership goals.
• Develop strategic messaging, executive positioning, and communications materials for Leadership Team members and key enterprise initiatives.
• Monitor and analyze the impact and reach of enterprise thought leadership efforts, including engagement metrics, media coverage, and industry recognition; conduct peer benchmarking research to identify white space.
• Partner with the Director, Thought Leadership and Crisis and Issues Communications to develop enterprise crisis communications scenario planning focused on readiness, agile response, continuous improvement, innovation, and consistency with organizational protocols.
• Partner with cross-functional and regional teams to develop and execute crisis and issues communications strategies for key sites and operations worldwide.
• Provide strategic communications counsel during emerging issues and crises, including cybersecurity incidents, reputational risks, and enterprise-wide events.
• Develop crisis response plans addressing immediate and long-term challenges, aligning stakeholders, and coordinating with interdisciplinary teams.
• Coordinate logistics, briefing and messaging materials, and leader preparation for high-quality external engagements.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits, including wellbeing support, retirement and financial protection benefits, and medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance offerings, subject to plan terms and eligibility.
• Flexible Time Off (FTO) without a set accrual limit for eligible U.S.-based exempt employees, subject to manager approval.
• Paid vacation for eligible non-exempt employees, RayzeBio employees, and employees located in Puerto Rico.
• 11 paid company holidays annually; eligible employees in specified categories also receive 3 optional holidays.
• Depending on eligibility, 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.
• Potential eligibility for additional discretionary cash incentives and stock opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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