Associate Director, Strategy & Media Relations

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co; Princeton (NJ); On-site; USD 157,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Time Off (FTO)

11 paid company holidays

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Bristol Myers Squibb is seeking an Associate Director, Media Relations, to lead a global media strategy and elevate the company narrative across print, broadcast, and digital media.

You will build relationships with top-tier media, develop pitches and interview talking points, and guide spokespeople. This role requires seven years of experience, strong writing, and the ability to counsel senior leaders in a fast-moving environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; communications, journalism or related field preferred.
• 7+ years of media relations experience required; pharmaceutical industry preferred.
• Excellent writing and research skills, with knowledge of AP style and attention to detail.
• Existing relationships with top business, consumer and financial media.
• Strong business acumen with ability to translate strategy.
• Strong writing and storytelling capabilities for complex topics.
• Ability to counsel senior leaders.
• Issues management experience preferred.
• Ability to interact across a complex organization.
• Superior written, verbal, facilitation and interpersonal skills.
• High proficiency with digital communications and online platforms.

Responsibilities

• Execute a global, top-tier media strategy aligned with corporate positioning to advance the company narrative.
• Drive cadence of news flow and manage announcements.
• Identify, develop and pitch unique storylines and content opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with top-tier media and manage media requests.
• Develop media materials including pitches, talking points for interviews.
• Prepare background and briefing materials, plan logistics, and train spokespeople.
• Demonstrate strong judgement and media acumen when engaging with reporters.
• Oversee development of best-in-class media resources and tool use.
• Champion thoughtful use of AI and emerging tools to drive insights and impact.
• Monitor external trends to advise where BMS should have a voice and inform strategy.
• Socialize external announcements to internal audiences.
• Support issues management and rapid response.
• Manage agency partners, scope, timelines and budget.

Skills

Media relations

Storytelling

Executive counsel

Digital communications

AP style

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

At Bristol Myers Squibb, our employees often ask, “Who are you working for?”—a question that fuels collaboration, accountability, and urgency in our work. Our purpose-driven culture inspires us to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines to prevail over serious diseases. We offer uniquely interesting and meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and a supportive environment that values inclusion, wellbeing, flexibility, and comprehensive benefits. This is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Global Media Relations, the Associate Director, Media Relations, is responsible for executing a global media relations strategy designed to advance Bristol Myers Squibb’s reputation among key audiences. The ideal candidate will bring sharp media judgment and strong storytelling ability, with the proven ability to navigate a fast-paced news environment and deliver impactful media outcomes while effectively managing scope, timelines and resources.

Major Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Execute a global, top-tier media strategy aligned with corporate positioning to advance the company narrative and enhance reputation through proactive and opportunistic engagement across print, broadcast, and digital media.
• Drive continual cadence of news flow, managing sequence and strategy of announcements.
• Identify, develop and pitch unique storylines and content opportunities that advance the company’s strategic positioning.
• Build and maintain relationships with top-tier media, manage incoming media requests, and execute proactive and opportunistic media outreach.
• Develop media materials including pitches, talking points for interviews, etc.
• Prepare background and briefing materials, plan logistics, and train spokespeople for critical media and public speaking opportunities.
• Demonstrate strong judgment and superior media acumen when engaging with reporters.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of best-in-class media resources, driving consistency, usability and operational excellence across teams.
• Champion the thoughtful use of AI and emerging tools to drive smarter insights, elevate content and improve the efficiency and impact of media engagement.
• Closely monitor external trends and insights to advise on where and how BMS should have a voice and to continually inform media strategy development.
• Socialize external announcements to internal audiences to advance workforce knowledge of BMS people, medicines, positions and performance.
• Support response to issues management and rapid response.
• Manage agency partners, including scope, timelines and utilization to support effective delivery within budget.

Qualifications Minimum Requirements

• Minimum education of a bachelor’s degree is required.
• Field of study in communications, journalism or related field is preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of media relations experience is required.
• Pharmaceutical industry is preferred.
• Excellent writing and research skills, with knowledge of AP style and a keen attention to detail.
• Existing relationships with top business, consumer and financial media.
• Strong business acumen, with a demonstrated ability to understand and translate business strategy.
• Strong writing and storytelling capabilities, with the ability to translate complex scientific, business, policy, or societal issues into clear, compelling messaging.
• Ability to effectively counsel senior leaders.
• Issues management experience preferred.
• Ability to interact effectively with many levels of colleagues across a complex, highly collaborative organization.
• Superior written, verbal, facilitation and interpersonal communications skills.
• High proficiency with digital communications and effective use of online platforms.

Compensation Overview

Princeton - NJ - US: $156,660 - $189,829 The starting pay range(s) listed above is for full-time employees (FTE). You may also be eligible for additional discretionary incentive cash and stock opportunities. We determine starting pay thoughtfully – carefully considering the nature of the role, required skills, work location, schedule and the knowledge and experience you bring. Final compensation is guided by pay equity principles and applicable employment laws. Compensation programs are reviewed on an ongoing basis and may be adjusted over time to reflect evolving market factors, and individual, team or Company performance.

Benefits

• Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect, you may be eligible to participate in our comprehensive benefit plans – including wellbeing support, retirement and financial protection benefits, and insurance offerings (medical, dental, vision, life and disability).
• U.S.-based exempt employees are eligible for Flexible Time Off (FTO), which provides paid time off without a set accrual limit, subject to manager approval, along with 11 paid company holidays each year.
• Non-exempt employees, RayzeBio employees, and employees located in Puerto Rico receive 160 hours of paid vacation annually for new hires (subject to manager approval), 11 paid company holidays, and 3 optional holidays.
• Depending on eligibility, employees may also have access to additional time-off benefits, including paid sick leave, up to two paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, and leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, or military needs.
• Eligible employees also enjoy an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
• U.S.-based job seekers can explore full benefit offerings at https://careers.bms.com/benefits

How We Work

Where you work matters – because collaboration, innovation and patient impact happen in many settings. Our roles are structured across four work models: site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design. The model assigned to this role is based on its core responsibilities. Learn more at https://careers.bms.com/ways-of-working.

Supporting People with Disabilities

BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to [e-mail]. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

Candidate Rights

BMS will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area. For roles based in Los Angeles County only: If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/

Data Protection

We will never request payments, financial information, or social security numbers during our application or recruitment process. Learn more about protecting yourself at https://careers.bms.com/fraud-protection. Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations. If this posting is missing required information required by local law or incorrect, contact BMS at [e-mail] the Job Title and Requisition number. Do not send application-related inquiries to this email.

R1607567 : Associate Director, Strategy & Media Relations Data Privacy Link We’re creating innovative medicines for patients fighting serious diseases. We’re also nurturing our own diverse team with inspiring work and challenging career options. No matter the role, each one of us makes a contribution. And that makes all the difference.