Associate Director, R&D Communications

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

The Associate Director is responsible for supporting the development and execution of strategic communications programs for the R&D organization that build AbbVie’s reputation, enhance culture and propel our pipeline. The primary role will be to support the execution of programs that elevate our leadership in science and innovation and amplify the voices of our leaders. In addition, this role will be responsible for the tactical execution of communications strategies that support strategic initiatives important to the R&D organization. This role reports to the Director of R&D Executive Communications and Strategic Initiatives.

Seeking the following core skills:

• Scientific acumen to understand complex concepts and translate for target audiences and channels
• Business acumen to appropriately frame the why and contextualize communications priorities that strategically align to business priorities
• High professional competency to provide strategic counsel to executives on communication approaches and personal styles
• Expert understanding of content and channel strategies, employee engagement, and change management
• Understands how to operate with an enterprise mindset
• Strong understanding of new and emerging communications trends
• Proactively seeks out opportunities to maximize impact of communications
• Ability to breakdown silos to nurture strong cross-functional partnership
• Models leadership ways of working that foster collaboration, creativity and collegiality
• Strong sense of accountability of direct and indirect team members, and associated communications programming of the team

Basic requirements needed:

• Minimum of 5+ years of integrated communications experience required, with 5 years in a high-level business or communications and or marketing environment
• A bachelor’s degree with emphasis in communications, marketing, business, public relations, journalism or life sciences field is preferred
• Demonstrates strong tactical execution, with high-quality outcomes and metrics
• Experience working with senior executives, demonstrates high-quality executive presence
• Ability to provide strategic counsel for a variety of communications scenarios and to a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrates growth mindset, self-motivated, and ability to see bigger picture beyond the immediate task
• Demonstrates initiative, creativity, analytical and leadership capabilities
• Demonstrates ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team and navigate a matrixed organization

Core responsibilities in this role:

• Supports the identification and leads the tactical execution of programming that drives engagement of priority internal and external audiences to support the positioning of AbbVie R&D
• Produces consistent and impactful communications in support of AbbVie’s pipeline and science narrative through cross-functional and affiliate engagement, material development, and amplification; inclusive of written, video, web, social and other types of story-telling content
• Supports enhancements and updates to AbbVie’s science and innovation messaging, including how R&D is reflected on abbvie.com and in corporate materials, and ensures pull-through among functions and affiliates
• Supports the tactical execution of thought leadership platforms for AbbVie R&D executives, including identifying topics, writing and distribution strategy
• Leads the tactical execution and measurement of R&D-wide internal communications; inclusive of channel management (e.g. emails, MyAbbVie), townhalls, leader communications, editorial calendar, etc.
• Supports media and speaking engagement opportunities for R&D leaders, including vetting opportunities, developing key messages and training leaders
• Supports the coordination and management of community of practice with R&D Functional Communicators to ensure alignment and connectivity across the R&D organization
• Oversees implementation of tactical program elements and ensure deliverables are on time and on budget
• Supports program co-development and co-execution working closely with the Corporate Marketing team and across Corporate Communications
• Supports day-to-day management of agencies and associated program budgets

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​

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• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.​

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​

• This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs. ​

• This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs​

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Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law. ​

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives, serving our community and embracing diversity and inclusion.  It is AbbVie’s policy to employ qualified persons of the greatest ability without discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected group status.

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html 

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html