Position SummaryWorking in close partnership with the VP, Corporate Communications, the Senior Director, CEO Communications serves as a strategic parter 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 ResponsibilitiesCEO 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 diverse 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
Compensation Overview:Princeton - NJ - US: $213,690 - $258,942
The starting compensation range(s) for this role are listed above for a full-time employee (FTE) basis. Additional incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility) may be available. The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills, where the job is performed, the employee's work schedule, job-related knowledge, and experience. Final, individual compensation will be decided based on demonstrated experience.
Eligibility for specific benefits listed on our careers site may vary based on the job and location. For more on benefits, please visit https://careers.bms.com/life-at-bms/.
Benefit offerings are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans in effect at the time and may require enrollment. Our benefits include:
- Health Coverage: Medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision care.
- Wellbeing Support: Programs such as BMS Well-Being Account, BMS Living Life Better, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
- Financial Well-being and Protection: 401(k) plan, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, accident insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection, personal liability protection, identity theft benefit, legal support, and survivor support.
Work-life benefits include:Paid Time Off
- US Exempt Employees: flexible time off (unlimited, with manager approval, 11 paid national holidays (not applicable to employees in Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico or Rayzebio employees)
- Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico and Rayzebio Exempt, Non-Exempt, Hourly Employees: 160 hours annual paid vacation for new hires with manager approval, 11 national holidays, and 3 optional holidays
Based on eligibility*, additional time off for employees may include unlimited paid sick time, up to 2 paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military needs and an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas and New Years Day.
All global employees full and part-time who are actively employed at and paid directly by BMS at the end of the calendar year are eligible to take advantage of the Global Shutdown.
*Eligibility Disclosure: The summer hours program is for United States (U.S.) office-based employees due to the unique nature of their work. Summer hours are generally not available for field sales and manufacturing operations and may also be limited for the capability centers. Employees in remote-by-design or lab-based roles may be eligible for summer hours, depending on the nature of their work, and should discuss eligibility with their manager. Employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement should consult that document to determine if they are eligible. Contractors, leased workers and other service providers are not eligible to participate in the program.
On-site ProtocolBMS has an occupancy structure that determines where an employee is required to conduct their work. This structure includes site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design jobs. The occupancy type that you are assigned is determined by the nature and responsibilities of your role:
Site-essential roles require 100% of shifts onsite at your assigned facility. Site-by-design roles may be eligible for a hybrid work model with at least 50% onsite at your assigned facility. For these roles, onsite presence is considered an essential job function and is critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, and a positive Company culture. For field-based and remote-by-design roles the ability to physically travel to visit customers, patients or business partners and to attend meetings on behalf of BMS as directed is an essential job function.
