Associate Director, Strategy & Media Relations
Bristol Myers Squibb
Summary
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.
Job description
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.
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.
Benefits
- Wellbeing support
- Retirement benefits
- Financial protection benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Life & Disability Insurance
- Flexible Time Off
- Paid company holidays
- Paid sick leave
- Volunteer days
- Summer hours flexibility
- Leaves of absence
- Annual Global Shutdown
Company overview
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing, and delivering innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. Founded in 1887 and headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, the company operates with a unique BioPharma strategy that combines the reach and resources of a major pharmaceutical company with the entrepreneurial spirit and agility of a biotech firm. BMS focuses on transformative therapies in key therapeutic areas including oncology, hematology, immunology, cardiovascular disease, and fibrosis. The company has built a sustainable pipeline of potential therapies and leverages translational medicine and data analytics to deliver the right medicine to the right patient at the right time. With over 10,000 employees worldwide, Bristol Myers Squibb maintains a strong commitment to scientific excellence, patient-centric innovation, and global health equity through its foundation. The company's portfolio includes groundbreaking treatments such as Opdivo (nivolumab) for cancer, Eliquis (apixaban) for cardiovascular conditions, and Orencia (abatacept) for autoimmune diseases, among others.