Associate Director, R&D Integrated Communications

AbbVie

North Chicago (IL)

Hybrid

USD 140,000 - 190,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Job summary

AbbVie seeks an Associate Director of R&D Integrated Communications to lead cross-functional messaging, storytelling, and measurement across internal and external audiences. You will align R&D narratives with corporate priorities and ensure consistency across channels.

You will translate complex science into clear communications, manage a podcast program, and drive content calendars with key partners. A track record of advising executives and managing cross-functional teams is essential.

Qualifications

Minimum of 10+ years of integrated communications experience, including at least 5 years in a communications or marketing environment.
Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in communications, marketing, business, public relations, journalism or life sciences field is preferred.
Master’s Degree or other postgraduate work preferred.
Strong project management and execution skills, with a record of delivering clear, high-quality communications work, and measurable outcomes.
Experience advising senior executives and a variety of internal/external stakeholders across varied communications scenarios.
A growth mindset, self-motivated, and ability to see bigger picture beyond the immediate task.

Responsibilities

Develops and manages AbbVie R&D messaging that clearly articulates R&D strategy, priorities, pipeline progress, milestones, innovation and impact.
Ensures consistent message pull-through across internal and external channels, including abbvie.com, external speaking opportunities, campaigns and corporate materials.
Identifies and develops R&D storytelling opportunities that support the positioning of AbbVie R&D in partnership with subject matter experts, spanning written, video, web, social and other content formats.
Serves as lead producer for AbbVie’s The Persistence Lab podcast, including story mining, speaker management, writing, review and promotion.
Co-develops and manages implementation of a content calendar with key partners, including the R&D Integrated Planning & Activation team, for internal and external audiences.
Collaborates across R&D Communications, Corporate Marketing (web, content, social), affiliates and Corporate Affairs to create and amplify content through a coordinated, omnichannel approach.
Defines KPIs, measures impact of external R&D communications; synthesizes insights to strengthen R&D storytelling and channel strategy.
Oversees tactical program execution to ensure deliverables are completed on time and on budget.
Manages agency partners and related program budgets.

Education

Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in communications, marketing, business, public relations, journalism or life sciences field is preferred

Master’s Degree or other postgraduate work preferred

Expertise in strategic messaging, narrative development, omnichannel content strategy and communications measurement

Leadership to provide strategic communications counsel to executives

Tools

AbbVie internal comms tools

Job description

About AbbVie AbbVie’s mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people’s lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com.
Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Company Description

Job Description

Purpose

The Associate Director, R&D Integrated Communications leads the development, management and measurement of cross-R&D strategic messaging and storytelling that strengthen AbbVie’s reputation as a science-forward company, enhance culture and support pipeline advancement. This role develops and maintains an aligned R&D narrative, translates complex science and pipeline progress into clear communications and stories for internal and external audiences, and ensures consistent message pull-through across plans, channels and teams. Working across therapeutic areas, R&D sub-functions and Corporate Affairs, this role is instrumental in aligning and integrating communication efforts that advance AbbVie’s scientific reputation among key stakeholders. This role reports to the Director of R&D Executive Communications and Strategic Initiatives.

Responsibilities

Develops and manages AbbVie R&D messaging that clearly articulates R&D strategy, priorities, pipeline progress, milestones, innovation and impact.
Ensures consistent message pull-through across internal and external channels, including abbvie.com, external speaking opportunities, campaigns and corporate materials.
Identifies and develops R&D storytelling opportunities that support the positioning of AbbVie R&D in partnership with subject matter experts, spanning written, video, web, social and other content formats.
Serves as lead producer for AbbVie’s The Persistence Lab podcast, including story mining, speaker management, writing, review and promotion.
Co-creates and manages implementation of a content calendar with key partners, including the R&D Integrated Planning & Activation team, for internal and external audiences.
Collaborates across R&D Communications, Corporate Marketing (web, content, social), affiliates and Corporate Affairs to create and amplify content through a coordinated, omnichannel approach.
Defines KPIs, measures impact of external R&D communications; synthesizes insights to strengthen R&D storytelling and channel strategy.
Oversees tactical program execution to ensure deliverables are completed on time and on budget.
Manages agency partners and related program budgets.

Core Skills

Expertise in strategic messaging, narrative development, omnichannel content strategy and communications measurement.
Business acumen to frame the “why” and align communications to business priorities.
High professional competency to provide strategic communications counsel to executives and senior level stakeholders.
Strong understanding of communications trends, digital channels, audience insights and impactful storytelling formats.
Ability to define meaningful KPIs and use reach, engagement, comprehension and feedback data to improve communications.
Ability to break down silos to nurture strong cross-functional partnership.
Leadership style that fosters collaboration, creativity and collegiality.
Ability to translate complex concepts for target audiences and channels, with curiosity to continuously build knowledge.
Ability to evaluate and apply emerging AI technologies to improve storytelling, content creation, ideation and communications effectiveness.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Minimum of 10+ years of integrated communications experience, including at least 5 years in a communications or marketing environment.
Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in communications, marketing, business, public relations, journalism or life sciences field is preferred.
Master’s Degree or other postgraduate work preferred
Strong project management and execution skills, with a record of delivering clear, high-quality communications work, and measurable outcomes.
Experience advising senior executives and a variety of internal/external stakeholders across varied communications scenarios.
A growth mindset, self-motivated, and ability to see bigger picture beyond the immediate task.
Demonstrates initiative, creativity, analytical and leadership capabilities.
Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team and navigate a matrixed organization.

Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:

The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html

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