Working with Us
Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren’t words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams. Take your career farther than you thought possible.
Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. Read more: careers.bms.com/working-with-us.
Position Summary
The Executive Director (ED), Public Affairs will be an integral part of the USPGA leadership team and is charged with driving the development and execution of comprehensive policy messaging strategy in the U.S. The role is responsible for integrated policy messaging and communications plans that elevate our policy voice, build visibility for our positions, and support the company’s broader public policy goals.
The successful ED will translate the company’s public policy positions into strategic and thought leading messaging and communication tools for maximum impact with targeted external audiences, including identifying opportunities to shape public policies and activate the BMS story as aligned with business priorities. External audiences may include policymakers, third party partners, shareholders/investors, and the media, among others.
The role requires broad and deep knowledge of the U.S. healthcare system and the integration of political, policy and government affairs expertise to develop and execute effective messaging strategies about U.S. public policy issues. The role reports into the Senior Vice President for USPGA and has two direct reports. Close collaboration with the Executive Director, Global Policy Impact, will be critical to ensure enterprise-wide alignment on messaging.
Key Responsibilities
Develop, implement and execute comprehensive policy messaging strategy by translating the company’s public policy positions into strategic and thought leading messaging and communication tools for maximum impact
Identify relevant/appropriate KOLs and create creative and targeted messaging
Leverage BMS story (long history and U.S. roots) to help expand BMS’s external reach and voice
In collaboration with the ED for Global Policy Impact, develop large-scale external messaging and communications tools for the USPGA team; oversee development of materials, programing, campaigns, educational resources, and engagement plans with aligned messaging
Identify and develop thought leadership opportunities that advance the company’s positions and public policy objectives
Create and refine standards and principles of engagement with external stakeholders.
Ensure alignment of USPGA messaging with broader GPGA policy messaging, as well as corporate/business priorities
Advise USPGA and GPGA senior leadership on messaging strategy and reputation opportunities/risk
Manage team budget including outside consultants and other spend as appropriate
Lead team with a patient first mentality and strict adherence to the BMS corporate values
Serve as a member of the USPGA leadership team contributing to high-impact organization goals
Qualifications & Experience
15+ years policy communications experience in biopharmaceutical or similar highly regulated U.S. industry
Strong executive presence and experience managing high-exposure opportunities
Solid business and political acumen, with a demonstrated ability to understand and translate business strategy, while understanding the external landscape and politics
Bachelor’s degree in related fields such as public affairs, health care policy, political science, public administration, public policy, economics, or related field required
Superior written, verbal, editing and interpersonal communications skills and exceptional problem-solving and decision-making skills
Proven ability to translate complex technical topics into understandable messages for internal and external audiences
Proven ability to work collaboratively, foster teamwork and drive performance; must demonstrate excellent networking and relationship-building skills and the ability to interact with confidence with various levels and functions
Candidate must possess excellent presentation, written, oral, communication skills and interpersonal skills, as well as proven management and leadership experience
Excellence in leading people with strong emotional intelligence and a focus on people development are preferred; flexible team member with positive attitude, energy and ability to prioritize projects
Proven ability to manage complex budgets and balance strategic thinking with operational excellence
Ability to maintain good working relationships, internally and externally
Domestic travel may be required (up to 20%)
Role is based in Washington, DC
#LI-Hybrid
If you come across a role that intrigues you but doesn’t perfectly line up with your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be one step away from work that will transform your life and career.
Compensation Overview:
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 then in effect and may include the following: Medical, pharmacy, dental and vision care. Wellbeing support such as the BMS Living Life Better program and employee assistance programs (EAP). Financial well-being resources and a 401(K). Financial protection benefits such as short- and long-term disability, life insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection and survivor support. Work-life programs include paid national holidays and optional holidays, Global Shutdown Days between Christmas and New Year’s holiday, up to 120 hours of paid vacation, up to two (2) paid days to volunteer, sick time off, and summer hours flexibility. Parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military leave. Family care services such as adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, fertility/infertility benefits, support for traveling mothers, and child, elder and pet care resources. Other perks like tuition reimbursement and a recognition program.
Uniquely Interesting Work, Life-changing Careers
With a single vision as inspiring as “Transforming patients’ lives through science™ ”, every BMS employee plays an integral role in work that goes far beyond ordinary. Each of us is empowered to apply our individual talents and unique perspectives in a supportive culture, promoting global participation in clinical trials, while our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.
On-site Protocol
BMS 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.
Supporting People with Disabilities
BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to adastaffingsupport@bms.com. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.
Candidate Rights
BMS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.
If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/
Data Protection
We will never request payments, financial information, or social security numbers during our application or recruitment process. Learn more about protecting yourself at https://careers.bms.com/fraud-protection.
Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.