Associate Director, Product Communications

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.; San Rafael (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. is seeking an Associate Director, Product Communications to lead the communications strategy for their Skeletal Conditions business unit. This role involves driving proactive media engagement and crafting compelling narratives around new medicines, particularly for achondroplasia.

Candidates should have 8–12 years of public relations experience in the biopharmaceuticals sector, coupled with strong writing skills. The position offers a hybrid work model with onsite expectations at their San Rafael office.

Qualifications

• 8–12 years of experience in public relations, preferably in the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Excellent writing and storytelling abilities.
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively.
• Experience with media relations strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated communications and PR strategies.
• Drive media engagement and thought leadership.
• Identify compelling patient and community stories.
• Oversee press materials and external communications.

Skills

Public Relations

Strategic Communications

Media Engagement

Storytelling

Biopharmaceutical Knowledge

Education

BS/BA in science, communications, liberal arts

Job description

Associate Director, Product Communications

Location: San Rafael, United States

Workstyle: Hybrid (2 times onsite each week)

Who We Are

BioMarin is a leading rare disease biotechnology company focused on genetically defined conditions.

Guided by our purpose to develop medicines that make a profound impact on people’s lives, our global teams have delivered a portfolio of therapies since our founding in 1997. Our revolutionary treatments for conditions like achondroplasia (the most common form of dwarfism), PKU (phenylketonuria), CLN2, a form of Batten disease, and a number of forms of MPS (mucopolysaccharidosis) offer new possibilities for patients and families who previously had few, if any, available options. More recently, with the close of the Amicus acquisition, our portfolio has expanded to include therapies for Fabry disease and Pompe disease, expanding our ability to reach more people living with rare genetic conditions.

Our success comes from our unwavering commitment to excellence, our deep understanding of patient needs, our scientific expertise, and our world‑class manufacturing capabilities. At the heart of BioMarin is a dedicated team of the brightest minds in the industry working together to deliver innovative therapies to patients and families around the world.

About Corporate Groups

It takes a village, and at BioMarin, our general and admin teams are the village behind our success. From the IT experts who manage our technology to the human resources professionals who hire the people who make it all possible, these teams support our organization and span all areas of operations.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and strategic communications leader to drive product communications and public relations for our Skeletal Conditions business unit, with a focus on achondroplasia and the potential launch of a new medicine in hypochondroplasia. As part of the Corporate Affairs team, this individual will lead integrated, external‑facing communications strategies that highlight the scientific innovation and real‑world impact of BioMarin’s medicines in skeletal conditions, shaping the company’s narrative across media, digital, and key stakeholder channels. The Associate Director will drive proactive media engagement, thought leadership, and disease awareness initiatives, bringing compelling stories to life for diverse audiences. This role will play a critical part in strengthening BioMarin’s reputation and visibility during a pivotal period of growth and potential launch, working cross‑functionally with Patient Advocacy, Commercial, Medical Affairs, Investor Relations, and Government Affairs. This position reports to the Executive Director, Product Communications and Media.

Why This Role Matters

This role is central to how BioMarin communicates the impact of its innovation and elevates the voices of the skeletal conditions community. The Associate Director, Product Communications will help shape understanding of achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia by bringing compelling patient stories, scientific milestones, and disease awareness initiatives to life across media and stakeholder channels. In doing so, this role will strengthen BioMarin’s reputation, support key business priorities, and help ensure patients and families remain at the center of the company’s communications efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead integrated communications and PR strategies that position BioMarin as a leader in skeletal conditions, highlighting the innovation and value of its medicines
• Drive proactive and reactive media engagement and thought leadership to shape external perception and elevate visibility among key stakeholders
• Identify and amplify compelling patient and community stories that bring the impact of BioMarin’s work to life and drive meaningful media coverage
• Serve as Corporate Affairs lead on cross‑functional teams, providing strategic counsel and supporting key milestones, including clinical data readouts and medical congresses
• Lead insight‑driven campaigns and content development with agency partners, delivering impactful storytelling across earned, owned, and digital channels
• Oversee press materials and external communications, including press releases, media briefings, and issues management, ensuring alignment and compliance
• Review media coverage reports, elevating relevant product, competitor, and industry news to key internal stakeholders
• Partner with Corporate and Digital Communications to amplify messaging across channels, including executive communications, social media, and corporate initiatives

Qualifications

• 8–12 years of experience in public relations, with experience leading product communications in the biopharmaceutical industry, preferably in‑house
• Excellent writer and storyteller with strong verbal communication skills
• Ability to build consensus and influence across the organization and collaborate effectively within a growing team
• Experience developing and executing media relations strategies
• Experience supporting drug product approvals and strong familiarity with the BLA/NDA and sBLA/sNDA process
• Experience identifying potential issues and leading day‑to‑day issues management
• Demonstrated knowledge of regulations governing communications for a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company and solid understanding of the healthcare policy environment
• BS/BA in science, communications, liberal arts; advanced degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or business preferred

Location

• Role is based at BioMarin’s San Rafael, CA HQ. Employees are expected to work onsite at least 2 days per week. Additional travel dependent on business need.

Note

• This description is not intended to be all‑inclusive, or a limitation of the duties of the position. It is intended to describe the general nature of the job that may include other duties as assumed or assigned.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

• An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.