Senior Director, Global Data Storytelling Communications

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 154,500 - 226,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

401(k)

Medical benefits

Life insurance

Job summary

Initial Therapeutics, Inc. is seeking a Senior Director, Global Data Storytelling Communications in Indianapolis, Indiana. The ideal candidate will oversee strategic narrative for the R&D pipeline, ensure data communications align with enterprise objectives, and lead a talented communications team.

The role includes developing and executing media strategies, owning the data narrative, and engaging with executive leadership. A Bachelor’s degree and over 12 years of communications experience in the relevant fields are required. The position offers a hybrid schedule with travel expectations.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of communications experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare environments.
• Experience leading large communications teams across multiple therapeutic areas.
• Proven record of developing communications strategies around clinical data and regulatory milestones.

Responsibilities

• Own the overarching data narrative across Lilly’s R&D pipeline.
• Build and execute the enterprise congress strategy.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a communications team.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Media relations skills

Team leadership

Communications strategies

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field

Job description

Senior Director, Global Data Storytelling Communications – oversees strategic narrative for Lilly’s R&D pipeline across all therapeutic areas, ensuring data communications are consistent, high impact and aligned with enterprise objectives.

Key Objectives / Deliverables

• STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND NARRATIVE ARCHITECTURE: Own the overarching data narrative across Lilly’s R&D pipeline, ensuring each data readout, congress disclosure, and publication reinforces the enterprise science story and maintains a consistent playbook.
• EXECUTIVE PARTNERSHIP AND INFLUENCE: Serve as a trusted partner to executive leadership, providing counsel on how Lilly’s science is framed for investors, media, policymakers, and the scientific community, and prepare senior leaders for high‑stakes engagements.
• DATA, CONGRESS AND PUBLICATIONS STRATEGY: Build and execute the enterprise congress strategy, coordinate science presence at major medical meetings, and support TA publication strategies to support the broader corporate narrative.
• TEAM LEADERSHIP AND TALENT DEVELOPMENT: Lead, mentor, and grow a communications team, set operating standards, cultural tone, and performance expectations, and recruit and retain talent with scientific and strategic expertise.
• CROSS‑PILLAR AND ENTERPRISE INTEGRATION: Partner with the Global Consumer Science Communications and Emerging + Portfolio Scientific Communications pillars to integrate data narratives into consumer‑facing storytelling, executive presentations, and reputation strategy; align messaging with Issues Management, Investor Relations, Business Development Communications, and Public Affairs.
• MEDIA STRATEGY AND STORYTELLING: Build and execute proactive media strategy around pipeline milestones, cultivate relationships with science and health journalists, and drive narrative penetration, scientific voice, and positive sentiment.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, science, public relations, or related field.
• 12+ years of communications experience with significant depth in pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare environments.
• Authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis (no visa sponsorship).

Additional Skills / Preferences

• Experience leading large, matrixed communications teams across multiple therapeutic areas or business functions.
• Track record of strategic counsel to C‑suite or senior executive audiences.
• Experience developing and executing communications strategies around clinical data, regulatory milestones, and scientific congresses; robust scientific expertise required.
• Deep understanding of the drug development lifecycle and the communications implications at each stage.
• Ability to synthesize cross‑TA narratives into enterprise‑level stories.
• Exceptional media relations skills with experience engaging top‑tier business, science, and health journalists.
• Proven record of building and scaling high‑performing teams, including recruiting for niche roles that combine science and communications.
• Strong judgment in high‑pressure, ambiguous situations with incomplete information.
• Proactive, anticipatory mindset that shapes narratives before competitors.
• Experience with congress strategy, publications planning, and investor communications.
• Ability to operate at the intersection of science, business, and reputation across audiences.

Location & Travel

Indianapolis, Indiana. Hybrid work schedule for Indianapolis‑based candidates with domestic and international travel expected (20‑30%).

Compensation & Benefits

Annual salary range: $154,500 – $226,600. Full‑time employees are eligible for company bonus, 401(k), pension, vacation, medical, dental, vision, prescription drug, flexible benefits, life insurance, leave of absence, and well‑being programs.

Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.