Director, Communications

Altimmune•Gaithersburg, MD

About The Position

The Director, Communications will develop and execute the company's corporate communications strategy, with a strong focus on external and internal communications and support investor communications, as necessary. This position will be responsible for developing and delivering key messages across various channels and media, working closely with the communications agency. This individual will engage with multiple departments across the organization to ensure alignment and consistency in messaging as Altimmune transitions to a late-stage biotech company. The role will play a pivotal part in maintaining the company's public image, ensuring the company's website is up to date, and proactively managing corporate messaging for internal and external stakeholders. This role will report directly to the Chief Commercial Officer, while engaging closely with the VP of HR on internal communications and with other Senior leaders as business needs dictate.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a relevant scientific field. An advanced degree or professional certification in communications is preferred but not required.
Minimum of 8+ years of work experience in corporate communications within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or healthcare industries
Strong knowledge of pharmaceutical industry trends, clinical development processes, and investor relations practices
Proven ability to develop and implement strategic communication plans, including writing, editing, and creating content for a variety of formats
Experience working with communications agencies as a day-to-day point of content
Experience in managing corporate websites and digital content, with a focus on maintaining up-to-date, engaging content
Familiarity with regulatory and compliance guidelines related to corporate and investor communications in the pharmaceutical industry
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a talent for crafting clear, concise, and persuasive messages
Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
Ability to collaborate effectively across functions and manage complex stakeholder relationships.
Experience working with executives and preparing presentations and materials for external and internal audiences
High degree of professionalism and confidentiality, with an ability to handle sensitive information responsibly
Ability to think strategically and proactively manage communications needs across the organization.

Responsibilities

Corporate Communications Strategy : Develop and implement a comprehensive corporate communications strategy that aligns with the company's vision, values, and business priorities.
Manage both internal and external communications, ensuring consistency and clarity across all channels.
Work with medical and clinical teams to ensure timely creation and posting of clinical data releases and medical conference activities.
Website Management and Content Development : Oversee the company's website, ensuring it is up to date with the latest company developments, research updates, clinical trials, and other corporate information.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create fresh, engaging content that represents the company's innovations and achievements.
Content Creation : Write and produce high-quality content for various corporate materials, including press releases, blog posts, newsletters, annual reports, and executive communications.
Ensure messaging aligns with the company's corporate narrative and business objectives.
Cross-functional Collaboration : Serve as a liaison between the Corporate Communications, Research, Clinical Development, and Investor Relations teams.
Coordinate the creation of a unified communication calendar to align efforts, key dates, and messages across departments.
Internal Communications : Develop and implement effective internal communications strategies to keep employees informed and engaged with company developments, milestones, and leadership updates.
Foster a positive internal culture through transparent and consistent communication.
Investor Relations Communications : Support as needed. The Senior VP of Investor Relations will lead investor relations functions, with core responsibilities for investor decks, press releases, and other investor-facing communications, and will ensure that key messages are communicated effectively to shareholders, analysts, and other stakeholders.
Crisis Communication and Reputation Management : Support the development of crisis communication plans and manage media inquiries in the event of any negative publicity.
Monitor and manage the company's reputation in both traditional and social media.
Media Relations : Cultivate relationships with key media outlets, journalists, and industry influencers to secure media coverage and promote the company's achievements.
Respond to media inquiries and ensure timely and accurate responses.
Leadership Support : Work closely with the Executive Leadership Team to develop executive speeches, presentations, and other communications materials to effectively represent the company in meetings, conferences, and public engagements.