Executive Director, Corporate Communications

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.; Bedford (MA); On-site; USD 320,000 - 345,000; Full time

Job summary

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. is seeking an Executive Director of Corporate Communications to lead the company’s global communications strategy, protect and elevate reputation, and align external and internal messaging with business goals.

The role partners with the CEO and senior leaders across Marketing, Investor Relations, Legal, HR, and Operations to drive strategic storytelling, media relations, thought leadership, and issues management in a fast-paced biotech environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, PR, marketing, business, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in corporate communications or related discipline.
• Extensive experience advising C-suite executives and senior leadership.
• Proven enterprise-level biotech or pharmaceutical communications experience, including product launches.
• Experience leading high-performing teams in complex organizations.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, storytelling, and presentation skills.
• Ability to translate complex issues into clear communications and measure impact.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead integrated corporate communications strategy.
• Advise executive leadership on business developments and reputational matters.
• Evolve the company narrative, messaging, and key proof points.
• Lead media relations and engage with external audiences.
• Oversee crisis management and issues communications.
• Develop executive communications: speeches, briefings, town halls.
• Lead internal communications and align employees with priorities.
• Manage budgets and external agencies.

Skills

Corporate communications

Executive communications

Public relations

Storytelling

People leadership

Strategic thinking

Interpersonal communication

C-suite advisory

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. (NASDAQ:OCUL) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the formulation, development, and commercialization of innovative therapies for diseases and conditions of the eye using its proprietary bioresorbable hydrogel-based formulation technology, ELUTYX™. Ocular Therapeutix has built a robust product pipeline of drug delivery solutions developed to reduce the complexity and burden of the current standard of care and position itself to become a leader in the ophthalmic space. Outside of the ophthalmic realm and behind the doors of our headquarters in Bedford, MA, we strive to build a strong culture where employees can flourish and achieve their career goals. We encourage out of the box thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and creativity.

Position Summary

The Executive Director of Corporate Communications is a senior communications leader responsible for shaping, elevating, and protecting the organization’s reputation, strengthening its corporate narrative, and ensuring clear, consistent, and compelling communication with internal and external audiences.

This leader will shape, evolve, and execute an integrated corporate communications strategy aligned with the organization’s business priorities, culture, and long-term objectives. The role serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and partners closely with executives, business leaders, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing, Investor Relations, and other key stakeholders. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, exceptional storyteller, experienced people leader, and calm, credible advisor who can operate effectively in a complex, fast-moving environment.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, exceptional storyteller, experienced people leader, and calm, credible advisor who can operate effectively in a complex, fast-moving environment.

Principal Duties And Responsibilities Include The Following

• Develop and lead Ocular’s corporate communications strategy, incorporating components of corporate reputation, executive communications, media relations, thought leadership, and issues management.
• Serve as a trusted communications advisor to the executive leadership team, providing counsel on business developments, organizational changes, sensitive issues, and reputational matters.
• Consistently reinforce and evolve the company’s corporate narrative, positioning, messaging, and key proof points through key milestones and events.
• Lead proactive media (earned, paid, and social) relations and strategic engagement opportunities and projects in partnership with agency partners, journalists, industry publications, and other influential and external audiences.
• Oversee crisis management and issues communications, including preparation of response strategies, messaging, executive briefings, and communications plans.
• Develop high-impact executive communications, including speeches, presentations, talking points, town halls, internal announcements, and external thought leadership.
• Lead internal communications strategies that inform, engage, and align employees around business priorities, culture, and organizational change.
• Partner with Marketing, Investor Relations, Government Affairs, Legal, HR, and other functions to ensure consistent and coordinated communications.
• Build and maintain relationships with key media, industry influencers, strategic partners, and other external stakeholders.
• Establish communications measurement and reporting frameworks to evaluate impact, reach, engagement, and reputation.
• Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing communications team while effectively managing external agencies and other strategic partners.
• Manage communications budgets and resources to maximize business impact.
• Stay current on evolving media, digital, social, employee engagement, and communications trends and incorporate innovative approaches into the organization’s strategy.

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Business, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in corporate communications, public relations, executive communications, or related discipline.
• Extensive experience advising C-suite executives and senior leadership teams.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing enterprise-level communications strategies for a biotech or pharmaceutical organization. Preferred experience with product launches.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams in complex organizations.
• Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and storytelling skills.
• Outstanding judgment, discretion, and ability to navigate sensitive or confidential matters.
• Ability to translate complex business, financial, technical, or organizational issues into clear and compelling communications.
• Strong strategic thinking and business acumen, with the ability to connect communications priorities to measurable business outcomes.
• Proven ability to operate effectively under pressure, manage competing priorities, and make sound decisions in rapidly changing environments.
• Capability to collaborate with key stakeholders and function in a change-oriented environment
• Requires up to 30% travel.

Salary Range: $320,000 USD - $345,000 USD

Ocular Therapeutix is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding nondiscrimination. Ocular Therapeutix provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or status as a veteran. For information on how Ocular Therapeutix collects, stores, and utilizes candidate information please see our privacy policy found at https://www.ocutx.com/privacy-policy/. For the Privacy Notice for California Job Applicants, please see CCPA Applicant Notice.