Director, AI Communications Strategy

MSD • Rahway, NJ

1d • $173,200 - $272,600 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, AI Communications Strategy leads the development and stewardship of the company’s enterprise AI narrative, connecting AI and agentic initiatives across Research & Development, Commercial, Manufacturing, IT, Talent and other areas. The role shapes a cohesive, multi-channel approach to communicating the company’s AI ambitions, investments, capabilities and impact to internal and external audiences, ensuring individual initiatives reinforce the company’s strategy, purpose and reputation.

The Director advises senior leaders on credible and consistent AI communications and works across Global Communications and with Strategy, IT, Research & Development, Commercial, Manufacturing, Talent, Change Management, Learning & Development and other enterprise partners. The position is part of the Global Employee and Executive Communications team and reports to the Executive Director, IT Strategic Communications.

The role leads enterprise messaging and communications strategy, external storytelling and executive thought leadership, internal communications and change engagement, and integrated content and channel strategy. It also establishes measurable communications objectives, evaluates effectiveness and reputation impact, provides counsel on emerging AI issues, and manages agency partners, resources and budgets as appropriate.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, business or a related field.
• 8–10 years of progressive communications experience spanning corporate, executive, external and/or employee communications, including demonstrated experience leading enterprise-level communications strategies.
• 3–5 years of supervisory experience and/or significant experience leading complex, cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing and leading enterprise narratives that connect multiple businesses, functions or strategic priorities into a cohesive story.
• Proven ability to advise senior executives strategically on communications and influence decision-making in complex organizations.
• Experience translating complex topics such as AI, technology, data, science or digital transformation into clear, credible and compelling narratives.
• Strong fluency with GenAI and demonstrated experience applying AI and/or agentic technologies to communications activities, workflows or processes.
• Exceptional storytelling, writing and editing skills across formats, including executive communications, speeches, media materials, digital content, video scripts and social content.
• Proven success leading major communications programs and enterprise-wide initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Strong business acumen and ability to connect communications strategy to organizational priorities and reputation.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, anticipate emerging issues and identify opportunities in a rapidly evolving environment.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, including ability to build alignment across functions and levels.
• Ability to bring outside-in perspectives, emerging communications practices and external trends into enterprise strategy.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, resources and partners in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing enterprise or corporate narratives across complex, global organizations.
• Experience in employee communications, executive communications, change communications, public relations and corporate reputation.
• Experience communicating AI, emerging technology, digital transformation, data or other complex technical or scientific topics.
• Experience within healthcare, life sciences or another highly regulated industry, particularly within a large global or Fortune 500 organization.
• Experience supporting executive thought leadership and external reputation-building programs.
• Agency experience or experience managing external communications agencies.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead the overarching enterprise AI narrative, connecting AI priorities and initiatives across business areas.
• Develop and drive integrated enterprise AI communications strategies for internal and external audiences, aligned with company priorities, purpose and reputation.
• Establish enterprise messaging frameworks that communicate the company’s AI ambition, approach, progress and impact while allowing appropriate audience adaptation.
• Advise executives and enterprise leaders on AI positioning, messaging, reputation and stakeholder engagement.
• Bring communications leaders and cross-functional partners together to identify enterprise stories, align priorities and coordinate AI communications.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen differentiation and reinforce company leadership and reputation through AI communications.
• Use external insights, stakeholder perspectives and emerging AI trends to strengthen the enterprise narrative and communications strategy.
• Establish measurable communications objectives and evaluate effectiveness, engagement and reputation impact.
• Provide strategic communications counsel on emerging AI issues, opportunities and reputational considerations.
• Manage agency partners, resources and budgets as appropriate.
• Develop an integrated external storytelling and thought-leadership strategy positioning the company’s AI approach within healthcare, technology and science.
• Identify and develop distinctive enterprise stories demonstrating how AI supports innovation and advances the company’s purpose.
• Lead communications strategies for external opportunities, including media engagement, executive speaking opportunities and industry forums.
• Counsel and prepare senior leaders for external engagements, including messaging, briefing materials, executive positioning and media preparation.
• Partner across Global Communications to align external AI storytelling with broader corporate reputation strategy.
• Translate the enterprise AI narrative into internal communications that explain the company’s direction, why it matters and employees’ role in the transformation.
• Create storytelling strategies connecting individual AI initiatives to the broader enterprise journey and demonstrating business impact.
• Partner with Talent, Change Management, Learning & Development and AI learning teams to support AI adoption, capability building and cultural change.
• Equip communicators and leaders with messaging, narratives, toolkits and resources for consistent organizational communication.
• Identify opportunities to build employee understanding, confidence and pride in the company’s AI journey.
• Provide strategic direction for enterprise AI content and storytelling across internal and external channels.
• Partner with content, digital, media and social teams to coordinate timely AI stories connected to the enterprise narrative.
• Ensure communications reach appropriate audiences through suitable channels while maintaining consistent positioning and messaging.
• Guide development of high-impact written, digital, video, visual and executive communications.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits for employees and family
• Retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• Paid holidays
• Vacation
• Compassionate and sick days
• Annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable

What This Job Offers

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