Senior Director, CEO Communications

Position Summary

Working in close partnership with the VP, Corporate Communications, the Senior Director, CEO Communications serves as a strategic partner on shaping and executing an integrated CEO communications approach. This role helps translate enterprise priorities into clear, compelling messaging and ensures the CEO's voice is consistently reflected across key internal and external engagements. While the VP sets overall direction and positioning, this role plays a critical part in advancing that strategy, bringing forward ideas, pressure-testing messaging and leading execution of high-impact communications initiatives. The Senior Director operates at the center of the enterprise, collaborating closely with the CEO, Chief of Staff and Leadership Team. This role focuses on CEO communications for prepared remarks and engagements; media strategy and interview messaging remain within Media Relations.

Key Responsibilities

CEO Communications Strategy & Execution

• Partner with the VP to shape CEO communications strategy, bringing forward insights, recommendations and draft approaches aligned to enterprise priorities.
• As the lead writer for the CEO, responsible for translating strategic direction into clear, actionable communications plans and ensure consistent execution across CEO engagements.
• Lead end-to-end planning and delivery of CEO communications across internal and external platforms, ensuring alignment, quality and impact.
• Independently drive select CEO communications initiatives (e.g., thought leadership platforms, internal engagement moments) from concept through execution.

Content & Narrative Leadership

• Develop and/or oversee high-impact CEO content, including speeches, town halls, and prepared remarks for external engagements (e.g., conference, panels, leadership forums), stepping in directly for critical moments as needed.
• Shape and refine messaging to ensure clarity, consistency and alignment with enterprise narrative and priorities.
• Ensure all CEO communications reflect a cohesive voice, tone and positioning across channels and audiences.

Executive Engagement & Media Alignment

• Support preparation for CEO external engagement, including development of speeches and talking points for non-media settings.
• Partner closely with Media Relations to ensure alignment between CEO prepared remarks and broader external communications strategy.
• Media interview preparation, media strategy and reactive messaging are led by Media Relations; this role contributes input as needed to ensure consistency.

Executive Alignment & Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner closely with the Chief of Staff and senior leaders to align CEO communications with business priorities and leadership agendas.
• Act as a central connector across Corporate Affairs and key functions to ensure integrated, enterprise-wide messaging.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders to inform messaging and support effective storytelling.

Qualifications

Required

• Significant experience supporting and advising senior executives; experience working with C-suite leaders required.
• Proven ability to operate as a strategic partner, bringing forward ideas, shaping messaging and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Strong executive presence and judgement, with the ability to navigate complex, high-visibility environments.
• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills with experience developing executive-level communications for high-impact moments.
• Bachelor's degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, English, or a related field
• 15+ years of progressive experience in corporate communications, executive communications, or a related discipline, with significant experience in a large, complex, matrixed organization
• At least 4+ years of senior leadership experience, including direct advisory responsibilities at the executive or C-suite level.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing CEO or C-suite communications strategies across internal and external audiences.
• Proven experience crafting high-impact executive content including speeches, talking points, town halls, and written leadership communications.
• Strong track record of managing sensitive and high-stakes communications with sound judgment and discretion.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills, with the ability to capture and reflect executive voice authentically and consistently.
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally with Media Relations, Legal, Government Affairs, and other key enterprise partners.

Preferred

• Advanced degree (MBA, master's in communications, or a related field).
• Experience in the biopharmaceutical, life sciences, or healthcare industry.
• Familiarity with global communications environments and a range of stakeholder audiences.
• Experience supporting CEO or enterprise-level thought leadership and external positioning strategies.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Vision: Ability to develop a clear, forward-thinking CEO communications strategy that serves both immediate needs and long-term enterprise goals
• Executive Presence & Influence: Trusted, credible, and composed at the most senior levels of the organization; capable of earning and maintaining the confidence of the CEO and Leadership Team
• Exceptional Writing & Storytelling: Masters the art of executive voice — creating content that is compelling, clear, and authentically reflective of the CEO's perspective and the BMS enterprise narrative
• Sound Judgment & Discretion: Demonstrates the highest level of confidentiality, professionalism, and integrity in all aspects of the role
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Builds strong, productive relationships across the enterprise and operates effectively in a highly matrixed environment
• Operational Excellence: Detail-oriented, organized, and disciplined in planning, execution, and quality management across all communications deliverables
• Agility & Resilience: Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapts quickly to shifting priorities, emerging issues, and evolving leadership needs