Executive Director, Corporate Communications

The Executive Director, Corporate Communications is a senior leadership role responsible for architecting and driving the company's global corporate communications strategy. Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer, this individual will be a key member of the communications leadership team and serve as a trusted strategic counsel to the C-suite and other senior executives. This role requires a visionary leader who will translate enterprise-level priorities into powerful, consistent narratives that safeguard and enhance the company's reputation across all key stakeholders, including employees, patients, and the broader biopharma ecosystem. This is a high-visibility, high-impact role for a seasoned communications leader who thrives in a fast-paced, science-driven environment and has a distinguished track record of building and leading high-performing teams.

Essential Job Functions:

Strategic Leadership

• In partnership with the Chief Communications Officer, design and drive an integrated corporate communications strategy that directly supports long-term business objectives and enterprise goals.

• Serve as a primary strategic communications advisor and counsel to the C-suite and senior executives, providing expert guidance on complex messaging, issues management, and reputational opportunities and risks.

• Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of all executive visibility and thought leadership programs, including town halls, leadership meetings, and external-facing engagements.

Employee Communications

• Architect and lead a comprehensive internal and employee communications strategy that fosters a culture of engagement, transparency, and alignment with the company's mission and vision.

• Build, scale, and optimize the employee communications function, implementing innovative channels and establishing a clear cadence of communication that measurably builds employee trust and confidence.

• Direct enterprise-wide change management communications for critical initiatives (e.g., M&A, restructuring, digital transformation), ensuring employee adoption and sustaining morale through periods of ambiguity and transition.

Brand & Corporate Reputation

• Own the evolution and stewardship of the company's corporate brand, narrative, and voice to ensure a consistent and compelling identity across all global touchpoints.

• Serve as the central hub for messaging consistency, aligning with Investor Relations, Legal, Human Resources, and Corporate Development for all corporate news, financial communications, and public disclosures.

• Drive the corporate-level employer brand strategy in partnership with Talent Acquisition and HR to position the company as a premier destination for talent in the biopharma industry.

• Translate highly complex scientific and R&D milestones into clear, impactful narratives for diverse stakeholder audiences.

Media Relations

• Proven track record of securing coverage in top-tier and trade media outlets, with established relationships with key reporters.

• Skilled at pitching stories, managing press inquiries and positioning company narratives with major and industry-specific media outlets.

Digital Communications

• Partner with the company's global digital and social media lead to ensure cohesive pull through of our digital strategy with our internal and external stakeholders

• Collaborate with our digital Lead to contribute to their data-driven content strategy across all digital platforms, ensuring alignment with the corporate brand and narrative.

• Understand digital communication trends and emerging channels in order to continuously contribute to evolving the company's digital footprint.

Team & Agency Management

• Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing corporate communications team, fostering a culture of excellence and strategic partnership.

• Direct relationships with external communications, PR, and creative agencies to ensure exceptional quality, ROI, and efficient use of budget.

• Establish and oversee a robust measurement framework to report on the business impact and effectiveness of all communications programs.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• 15+ years of progressive communications experience, with significant leadership tenure in the biopharmaceutical or life sciences industry required.

• Demonstrated expertise in building and leading integrated communications programs encompassing employee communications, corporate brand, and digital strategy.

• Proven track record as a trusted advisor to C-suite executives, with the ability to influence and build consensus at the most senior levels.

• Deep experience leading communications through significant organizational change, including M&A, crisis, and business transformation within a public company.

• Exceptional executive presence with outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Experience building and managing high-performing teams and a network of external agency partners.

• Ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy and sound judgment in a fast-paced, matrixed, and highly regulated environment.

What Success Looks Like:

• A cohesive and resonant corporate narrative that is consistently applied across all internal and external channels, driving measurable brand value.

• A highly engaged and informed employee base that demonstrates strong trust in leadership, as reflected in internal metrics.

• An elevated corporate brand and digital presence that measurably enhances talent attraction and stakeholder confidence.

• A high-performing, agile communications function that is viewed as an indispensable strategic partner to the business.

Required/Preferred Education And Licenses:

• Bachelor's degree required in Communications, English, or a related field.

• Advanced degree (MBA, MA in Communications, or related field) strongly preferred.