Eli Lilly

Senior Director - Neuroscience Communications

Eli Lilly$154K — $226K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, or a related field
  • 6+ years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare communications
  • Expertise in external communications for clinical data and regulatory submissions
  • Proven experience managing communications teams or functions
  • Demonstrated strength in multi-channel communications strategies with measurable outcomes

Responsibilities

  • Build and maintain an overarching neuroscience communications narrative across various audiences
  • Shape the external narrative ahead of clinical and regulatory milestones
  • Develop integrated global communications strategies for neuroscience portfolio
  • Advise senior leadership on communications for high-stakes situations
  • Anticipate and prepare for potential issues affecting the neuroscience portfolio

Benefits

  • Hybrid work schedule based in Indianapolis
  • Opportunities for professional development within a leading healthcare company
  • Collaborative and agile team environment driven by a commitment to patient needs
  • Access to a network of senior leadership and industry experts
  • Engagement in meaningful work that shapes brain health solutions
Full Job Description
About the Function

Lilly's Global Corporate Communications function exists to amplify what matters, shape global perception, and protect Lilly's reputation. Every role in our function contributes to four core responsibilities: Establish Our Story & Thought Leadership, Amplify Business Impact, Brand Protection, and Workforce Engagement.

About Lilly Neuroscience

Neuroscience is one of the most ambitious and fastest-growing businesses in our portfolio, pursuing major therapeutic areas across Alzheimer's disease, psychiatry, sleep-wake medicine, and pain - and building a pipeline that will define the next era of brain health. Our communications needs are evolving alongside the business, requiring modern, innovative, and agile approaches that match the scale and pace of what we are building.

Role Summary

The Sr. Director, Neuroscience Communications is accountable for building and delivering integrated communications strategies across the neuroscience portfolio and pipeline - with the US as the primary market and meaningful global reach. This person works at the intersection of science, business, and storytelling, moving fluidly between setting the long-range narrative architecture and producing polished, deadline-driven work as the business requires.

Working closely with the AVP, this role serves as the day-to-day Center of Excellence (COE) partner for the Neuroscience team - briefing, aligning, and holding COE functions accountable to the global strategy. Key relationships span the broader Global Communications function, Medical, Marketing, Corporate Affairs, and IBU affiliate teams.

Responsibilities

Establish Story & Thought Leadership
  • Build and maintain the overarching neuroscience communications narrative, connecting Lilly's therapeutic focus areas into a coherent, credible platform story across media, patients, HCPs, and the public
  • Ensure brand narrative credibility for Lilly's approved Alzheimer's treatment and future pipeline assets, keeping the story grounded in science and consistent across audiences
  • Work alongside the Scientific Communications & Innovation team to shape the scientific narrative architecture underpinning all external neuroscience communications
  • Shape the external environment ahead of clinical data releases and regulatory events, building stakeholder understanding before the moment arrives
  • Support the visibility and thought leadership of senior Neuroscience leaders, building Lilly's standing as a credible and trusted voice in brain health and neurological disease.


Amplify Business Impact
  • Build and deliver integrated global communications strategies for the neuroscience portfolio and pipeline, with the US as the primary market
  • Support brand and treatment communications in close coordination with marketing and cross-functional teams, ensuring programs are coherent and well-amplified
  • Bring deep expertise in clinical data releases and regulatory communications, working alongside Medical, Scientific Communications, and COE functions to shape rigorous external narratives
  • Translate neuroscience communications strategy into clear briefs for COE functions - Earned Media, Content, Digital, and Consumer - ensuring integration and accountability across channels
  • Serve as a trusted communications adviser to senior NBU leadership, supporting their visibility, credibility, and effectiveness in high-stakes situations


Brand Protection
  • Anticipate and prepare for issues that could affect Lilly's neuroscience portfolio and reputation, spanning competitive dynamics, policy, access, and safety challenges
  • Develop issues frameworks, holding statements, and rapid-response playbooks well in advance; coordinate across Legal, Regulatory, Government Affairs, and COE functions when issues arise
  • Build proactive preparedness into all major programs, clinical data releases, and campaigns - getting ahead of risk before it arrives


Workforce Engagement
  • Work closely with the AVP and the broader Neuroscience Communications team to ensure strategic alignment, coherent execution, and a unified direction across all programs
  • Coordinate with the Sr. Director, International Neurology & AD Communications to ensure global strategy pulls through consistently across markets
  • Provide day-to-day direction and performance oversight for PR agencies of record
  • Cultivate a team environment built on agility, collaboration, and shared commitment to the people this work serves


Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, or a related field
  • 6 or more years of professional experience in pharmaceutical, biotech or healthcare communications in a corporate, agency, or journalism setting
  • Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role, including but not limited to F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, or L-1


Additional Skills & Preferences
  • Demonstrated experience supporting external communications around clinical data releases, regulatory submissions, or product approvals
  • Experience directly handling or leading a communications team or function
  • Proven track record building and delivering multi-channel, multi-audience communications plans with measurable outcomes
  • Depth working alongside medical, scientific, and regulatory teams to develop rigorous external narratives around clinical data releases and regulatory events
  • Demonstrated ability to advise senior leaders, produce executive content, and operate with credibility in high-stakes situations including data releases, regulatory events, and executive forums
  • Experience building proactive frameworks and coordinating active crisis response across Legal, Regulatory, and Government Affairs
  • Experience shaping communications strategy across multiple markets with a genuine understanding of how US and international execution interconnect
  • Exceptional writing and storytelling ability across press materials, executive messaging, briefing documents, speeches, digital content, and narrative frameworks - producing polished, publication-ready work on deadline; this is a non-negotiable for the role
  • Comfortable navigating ambiguity and shifting priorities without losing quality or coherence; able to change course quickly without needing a fully defined plan to move forward
  • Demonstrated ability to work across both long-range narrative development and hands-on execution - often at the same time - without sacrificing quality in either.


This is an Indy based role with a hybrid work schedule.

About Eli Lilly

ICOS Corporation is a biotechnology company that engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of therapeutic products. It is engaged in the commercialization of treatments for unmet medical conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension, cancer, and inflammatory diseases. It is the developer of a treatment known as Cialis (tadalafil), a product for the treatment of erectile dysfunction through its joint venture with Eli Lilly and Company in North America and Europe. It is also engaged in contract manufacturing services for third parties. It is in a strategic alliance with Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ICOS Corporation was established in 1989, based in Bothell, Washington. It is currently operated by Eli Lilly and Company.

Eli Lilly Careers

Joining Eli Lilly offers an unparalleled opportunity to become part of a leading global team dedicated to creating a healthier future. As a company revered for its commitment to innovation and leadership in the pharmaceutical industry, Eli Lilly is where your professional journey can flourish. Work You’ll Do At Eli Lilly, we are passionate about transforming patient care and advancing medical innovation. Our team at Eli Lilly is at the forefront of developing groundbreaking solutions in healthcare. By joining us, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, using cutting-edge technology to make real-world impacts. Lead with Innovation and Leadership Eli Lilly stands out in the marketplace by integrating deep industry expertise with robust research and development efforts. We are looking for professionals who are eager to drive change and lead the way in developing therapeutic breakthroughs. Explore Job Opportunities and Growth Eli Lilly offers a variety of career paths, including full-time positions and internships, across multiple functions such as research, marketing, IT, and sales. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, Eli Lilly provides an environment that promotes career growth and learning opportunities. Our commitment to diversity and leadership training ensures that every employee can achieve their potential. Be Part of Our Team Our team at Eli Lilly is committed to excellence and driven by a mission to improve lives. Employees enjoy a supportive culture that values collaboration, creativity, and diversity. We believe that a diverse workforce fosters innovation and helps us better connect with the communities we serve. Benefits and Culture Eli Lilly is dedicated to supporting our employees, offering competitive benefits, wellness programs, and comprehensive health care. Our culture is built on a foundation of respect, integrity, and quality, making Eli Lilly not just a great place to work, but a community to grow with. Networking and Professional Development Eli Lilly encourages continuous professional development and networking. With access to various training programs and mentorship opportunities, employees can enhance their skills and advance their careers. Our leadership is committed to nurturing talent through effective training and development strategies. Join Our Team Discover the exciting job opportunities at Eli Lilly by exploring open positions that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring and looking for individuals who are passionate, innovative, and ready to contribute to our mission of making life better for people around the globe. Stay Connected Keep up to date with the latest at Eli Lilly by following our careers blog. Gain insights from industry leaders and get tips on everything from crafting the perfect resume to preparing for your interview. Eli Lilly is not just a company—it's a place where you can make a difference. Explore the positions available and find out how your talents can help change the world. SEARCH ELI LILLY JOBS Stay ahead in your career with Eli Lilly, where innovation, leadership, and a commitment to diversity and growth lead the way to future advancements.
Learn more about Eli Lilly
Size
35,000 employees
Market Cap
$344.2 billion
Industry
Net Income
$6.1 billion
Founded
1876
5 Year Trend
+5.9%
Revenue
$24.5 billion
NASDAQ

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