Associate Director, R&D Integrated Communications

Allergan; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

AbbVie in the United States seeks an Associate Director, R&D Integrated Communications to lead cross-R&D messaging, translate complex science into clear narratives, and align plans across therapeutic areas and Corporate Affairs. You will oversee KPI-driven storytelling, manage budgets and agency partners, and coach executives on communications strategy for internal and external audiences.

This role requires 10+ years of integrated communications, strong cross-functional leadership, and a

Qualifications

• 10+ years integrated communications experience, including 5 years in a communications or marketing environment.
• Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in communications, marketing, business, public relations, journalism or life sciences preferred.
• Master’s Degree or other postgraduate work preferred
• Strong project management and execution skills with measurable outcomes.
• Experience advising senior executives and a variety of internal/external stakeholders.
• Growth mindset, self-motivated and able to see the bigger picture.

Responsibilities

• Develops and manages AbbVie R&D messaging that articulates strategy, priorities, pipeline progress and impact.
• Ensures consistent message pull-through across channels and materials.
• Identifies R&D storytelling opportunities across written, video, web and social formats.
• Serves as lead producer for The Persistence Lab podcast, including speaker management and promotion.
• Co-creates and manages a content calendar with key partners for internal and external audiences.
• Collaborates across R&D Communications, Corporate Marketing and Corporate Affairs to amplify content.
• Defines KPIs and measures impact to strengthen storytelling and channel strategy.
• Oversees program budgets and agency partners.

Skills

Strategic messaging

Narrative development

Omnichannel content strategy

Communications measurement

Business acumen

Executive counsel

Cross-functional partnership

Leadership

AI for storytelling

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/marketing/PR/life sciences

Master's degree or postgraduate work

Job description

Company 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,XandYouTube.

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 orlocal law:

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Companybelieves ingood faith it will pay for this role at the timeof this posting based on the job grade for this position.Individualcompensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, andwemayultimatelypaymore or less than the posted range. This range may bemodifiedin thefuture.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick),medical/dental/visioninsurance and 401(k) to eligibleemployees.
• This job is eligible toparticipatein our long-term incentiveprograms.

Note: No amount of payis considered to bewages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, anddeterminable.The amount and availability of any bonus,commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form ofcompensation and benefitsthat are allocable to a particular employeeremainsin the Company's sole andabsolutediscretion unless and until paid andmay bemodifiedat the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent withapplicable 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