BioCrossroads - Sr. Director, Communications

CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

401(k) match

Life & disability insurance

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

BioCrossroads, the life sciences initiative of Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), seeks a Senior Director of Communications to design and lead an integrated strategy advancing BioCrossroads’ mission and boosting visibility for Indiana’s life sciences sector.

You will partner with the CEO and senior leaders, guide internal/external comms, PR, and stakeholder engagement, and drive brand reputation across statewide and national levels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of communications/marketing/public affairs, incl. 3+ years in leadership.
• Life sciences/healthcare experience preferred.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage external agencies.
• Strategic counsel to executives; translate complex ideas to broad audiences.
• Experience in integrated comms: media, digital, thought leadership, stakeholder engagement.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication; strong executive presence.
• Ability to lead through influence; build trust with senior stakeholders.
• Strong business and political acumen; navigate complex environments.
• Lead complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives from concept to implementation.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of a multi-year strategic communications plan across platforms.
• Provide leadership to staff, consultants, and agencies for brand storytelling and audience engagement.
• Oversee major initiatives (BioCrossroads Summit, FrameWORX) and align with priorities.
• Develop and manage sponsorship/partnership strategies to expand reach.
• Create signature assets (annual report, thought leadership, research publications).
• Oversee performance of agency partners to ensure quality and alignment.
• Serve as senior brand steward across channels.
• Manage and forecast annual comms/marketing budget; report KPIs.
• Collaborate with CICP leadership and initiative teams for alignment.
• Coordinate with corporate communications for integrated messaging.
• Provide executive communications support to the initiative president/CEO.

Skills

Strategic communications

Executive communications

Stakeholder engagement

Media relations

Brand storytelling

Cross-functional leadership

Budget management

Strategic planning

Thought leadership

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing/Journalism/Communications/Public Relations

Job description

BioCrossroads, the life sciences initiative of Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), ignites the continued growth of Indiana’s robust life sciences industry by activating the sector through strategic research and market knowledge, strengthening the substrate of the Indiana ecosystem with a focus on talent, companies and capital and cultivating the community by connecting and convening academic, corporate and philanthropic partners.

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Senior Director, Communications will partner closely with the initiative’s CEO and President and other senior leaders to design, lead, and implement an integrated communications strategy that advances BioCrossroads’ mission and strengthens visibility and influence for Indiana’s life sciences sector. This position provides strategic oversight across internal and external communications, public relations, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and the broader CICP strategy.
BioCrossroads’ initiatives are highly complex and deeply impactful for the state, requiring collaboration with senior leaders and stakeholders across the public, private, philanthropic, non-profit, and academic sectors. The Senior Director will provide thought leadership and counsel on communications strategy, proactively identifying opportunities to enhance the organization’s brand reputation and amplify its statewide and national impact.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the development and execution of a multi-year strategic communications and public education plan that supports BioCrossroads’ mission, ensuring cohesive messaging across all platforms, including digital, media, events, and stakeholder communications.
• Provide leadership and direction to communications staff, consultants, and agency partners to ensure excellence in brand storytelling, creative execution, and audience engagement.
• Oversee the strategic planning and execution of major initiatives, including the BioCrossroads Life Sciences Summit and FrameWORX events, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and visibility objectives.
• Develop and manage sponsorship and partnership strategies to expand reach and engagement among key audiences.
• Direct the creation of signature communications assets such as the BioCrossroads Annual Report, thought leadership content, and research publications that position the organization as a leading voice for the life sciences industry.
• Oversee and evaluate the performance of agency partners and consultants, ensuring deliverables meet strategic and brand standards.
• Serve as the senior brand steward for BioCrossroads and related initiatives, ensuring consistent and impactful brand representation across all channels.
• Develop, manage, and forecast the annual communications and marketing budget, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and efficient use of resources.
• Establish and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) and analytics to measure the effectiveness of communications initiatives and inform future strategy.
• Collaborate with CICP leadership and initiative communications teams to strengthen alignment, maximize reach, and share best practices across the partnership network.
• Act as the primary liaison to CICP’s corporate communications function to coordinate messaging and ensure integration across initiatives.
• Provide executive communications support to the initiative president and CEO, including message development, talking points, presentations, and media engagement.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of BioCrossroads’ mission and strategic goals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible communications, marketing, or public affairs experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership or management role.
• Experience in life sciences, healthcare, or related sectors strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams and managing external agencies to deliver high-impact communications initiatives.
• Proven ability to provide strategic counsel to executives and translate complex ideas into compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
• Experience developing integrated communications strategies that include media relations, digital marketing, thought leadership, and stakeholder engagement.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with a strong executive presence and ability to represent the organization externally.
• Ability to lead through influence and build trust with senior stakeholders and partners.
• Strong business and political acumen; ability to navigate complex environments with diplomacy and discretion.
• Exceptional project and people management skills, with demonstrated success in leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives from concept through implementation.
• Ability to lead both independently and collaboratively within a matrixed environment.
• Experience managing and optimizing relationships with creative, marketing, and PR agencies.
• Ability to foster collaboration and inclusive dialogue among a wide range of partners and stakeholders.
• High degree of initiative, strategic thinking, and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.

COMPETITIVE BENEFITS:

• 100% of healthcare and dental premiums paid for individual and family.
• Pre-tax & Roth 401(k) Retirement Plan with generous match: 5% contributed by the employer regardless of employee contribution and up to an additional 5% employee voluntary contribution eligible to be matched by the employer.
• Company-paid group life benefits as well as company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) including 18 holidays.
• Office location at 16 Tech Innovation District with hybrid remote flexibility.

EEO Statement:

CICP grants equal opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, age, national origin, military service obligations, veteran status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law. CICP provides equal opportunity in wages, promotions, benefits, and all other privileges, terms, and conditions of employment.