Executive Director, PDS Communications

Bristol Myers Squibb; Princeton (NJ); On-site; USD 257,000 - 311,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol Myers Squibb is seeking an Executive Director of PDS Communications to lead the development and execution of an integrated communications strategy across Product Development & Supply. You will translate business strategy into impactful internal, external, and executive communications, safeguard enterprise reputation, and mentor a team of communications professionals.

The role requires navigating development, quality, supply, and manufacturing operations, coupled with strong writing and

Qualifications

• Approximately 15 years of communications experience in pharma, life sciences, or related industries.
• Bachelor's or master's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, or a related field.
• Proven experience crafting strategic communications plans and providing strategic counsel to senior executives across a complex, matrixed organization.
• Exceptional writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated experience executing integrated internal and external communications and issues management across owned, earned, social, and paid media.
• Strong business and industry acumen, including an understanding of development, quality, supply, and manufacturing operations.
• Understanding of ethical generative AI use in writing and content development.
• Demonstrated people-management and talent-development abilities, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and delegate effectively across matrixed organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and evolve the integrated PDS communications strategy, aligning to business priorities and delivering measurable impact across internal and external stakeholders.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the PDS organization's executive leadership, anticipating communications needs and providing proactive counsel on opportunities and risks.
• Develop and oversee distinct communications plans for core PDS business priorities – spanning Product Development, Global Supply Chain, Global Quality, MS&T, the Global Business Unit, CTDO, and Global Technical Services – integrated with broader PDS and BMS enterprise objectives.
• Maintain relationships and visibility with PDS operating-unit and function leadership teams to support cohesion across all PDS Communications workstreams.
• Partner with the BMS corporate communications and Leadership Communications teams to ensure PDS communications are aligned with enterprise strategy.
• Oversee development and execution of organizational communications that promote employee engagement and understanding of PDS business strategy through town halls, leadership messages, internal videos, and other channels across distinct working environments.
• Set and oversee PDS external communications strategies to support BMS enterprise reputation through proactive media relations, digital and social content, industry associations, awards and rankings, events, speaking engagements, and other strategically aligned initiatives.
• Manage issues and special situations that may disrupt PDS operations and pose risk to enterprise reputation and stakeholder relationships.
• Manage agency partners and corresponding budgets effectively, ensuring disciplined stewardship against strategic priorities.
• Lead, manage, and develop a high-performing team, promoting a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic communications

Executive leadership

Writing & editing

Stakeholder management

Integrated comms

People management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in journalism, communications, public relations

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.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice President, Research & PDS Communications, the Executive Director, PDS Communications, leads the development and execution of an integrated communications strategy for Bristol Myers Squibb's Product Development & Supply (PDS) organization. This role serves as a strategic advisor to PDS leadership, translating business strategy into impactful internal, external, and executive communications, managing enterprise reputation and issues,and positioning BMS's commitment to quality, reliability, and innovation across development, supply, manufacturing, and technical services. Leading a team of communications professionals, the Executive Director participates in the relevant PDS and Corporate Affairs leadership forums and is accountable for delivering measurable communications outcomes across the PDS portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and evolve the integrated PDS communications strategy, aligning to business priorities and delivering measurable impact across internal and external stakeholders.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the PDS organization's executive leadership, anticipating communications needs and providing proactive counsel on opportunities and risks.
• Develop and oversee distinct communications plans for core PDS business priorities – spanning Product Development, Global Supply Chain, Global Quality, MS&T, the Global Business Unit, CTDO, and Global Technical Services – integrated with broader PDS and BMS enterprise objectives.
• Maintain relationships and visibility with PDS operating-unit and function leadership teams to support cohesion across all PDS Communications workstreams.
• Partner with the BMS corporate communications and Leadership Communications teams to ensure PDS communications are aligned with enterprise strategy.
• Oversee development and execution of organizational communications that promote employee engagement and understanding of PDS business strategy through town halls, leadership messages, internal videos, and other channels across distinct working environments.
• Set and oversee PDS external communications strategies to support BMS enterprise reputation through proactive media relations, digital and social content, industry associations, awards and rankings, events, speaking engagements, and other strategically aligned initiatives.
• Manage issues and special situations that may disrupt PDS operations and pose risk to enterprise reputation and stakeholder relationships.
• Manage agency partners and corresponding budgets effectively, ensuring disciplined stewardship against strategic priorities.
• Lead, manage, and develop a high-performing team, promoting a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Experience

• Approximately 15 years of communications experience in the pharmaceutical, life sciences, or related industries is preferred, or a combination of professional experience that provides an equivalent career foundation in a large organization or agency setting.
• Bachelor's or master's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, or a related field.
• Proven experience crafting strategic communications plans and providing strategic counsel to senior executives across a complex, matrixed organization.
• Exceptional writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated experience executing integrated internal and external communications and issues management across owned, earned, social, and paid media.
• Strong business and industry acumen, including an understanding of development, quality, supply, and manufacturing operations.
• Understanding of ethical generative AI use in writing and content development.
• Demonstrated people-management and talent-development abilities, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and delegate effectively across matrixed organizations.

Compensation Overview

$256,790 - $311,163

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

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If this posting is missing required information required by local law or incorrect, contact BMS at [e-mail] with the Job Title and Requisition number. Do not send application-related inquiries to this email. To check your application status, please login to your Candidate Home Account.