At Bristol Myers Squibb, our employees often ask, “Who are you working for?”—a question that fuels collaboration, accountability, and urgency in our work. Our purpose-driven culture inspires us to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines to prevail over serious diseases. We offer uniquely interesting and meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and a supportive environment that values inclusion, wellbeing, flexibility, and comprehensive benefits. This is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Senior Director, Global Media Relations, the Associate Director, Media Relations, is responsible for executing a global media relations strategy designed to advance Bristol Myers Squibb’s reputation among key audiences.
The ideal candidate will bring sharp media judgment and strong storytelling ability, with the proven ability to navigate a fast-paced news environment and deliver impactful media outcomes while effectively managing scope, timelines and resources.
Key Responsibilities
Execute a global, top-tier media strategy aligned with corporate positioning to advance the company narrative and enhance reputation through proactive and opportunistic engagement across print, broadcast, and digital media.
Drive continual cadence of news flow, managing sequence and strategy of announcements.
Identify, develop and pitch unique storylines and content opportunities that advance the company’s strategic positioning.
Build and maintain relationships with top-tier media, manage incoming media requests, and execute proactive and opportunistic media outreach.
Develop media materials including pitches, talking points for interviews, etc.
Prepare background and briefing materials, plan logistics, and train spokespeople for critical media and public speaking opportunities.
Demonstrate strong judgment and superior media acumen when engaging with reporters.
Oversee the development and maintenance of best-in-class media resources, driving consistency, usability and operational excellence across teams.
Champion the thoughtful use of AI and emerging tools to drive smarter insights, elevate content and improve the efficiency and impact of media engagement.
Closely monitor external trends and insights to advise on where and how BMS should have a voice and to continually inform media strategy development.
Socialize external announcements to internal audiences to advance workforce knowledge of BMS people, medicines, positions and performance.
Support response to issues management and rapid response.
Manage agency partners, including scope, timelines and utilization to support effective delivery within budget.
Qualifications & Experience
8 years of media relations experience, preferably in pharmaceutical or similar industry.
Existing relationships with top business, consumer and financial media.
Excellent writing and research skills, with knowledge of AP style and a keen attention to detail.
Issues management experience preferred.
Strong business acumen, with a demonstrated ability to understand and translate business strategy.
Ability to interact effectively with many levels of colleagues across a complex, highly collaborative organization.
Strong writing and storytelling capabilities, with the ability to translate complex scientific, business, policy, or societal issues into clear, compelling messaging.
Ability to effectively counsel senior leaders.
Superior written, verbal, facilitation and interpersonal communications skills.
Excels in fast-paced, challenging environment.
High proficiency with digital communications and effective use of online platforms.
Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in communications, journalism or related field.
#LI-Hybrid
We hire for skills and capabilities, not just credentials – if this role excites you, but doesn’t perfectly match your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway.
Compensation Overview:
The starting pay range(s) listed above is for full-time employees (FTE). You may also be eligible for additional discretionary incentive cash and stock opportunities. We determine starting pay thoughtfully – carefully considering the nature of the role, required skills, work location, schedule and the knowledge and experience you bring. Final compensation is guided by pay equity principles and applicable employment laws. Compensation programs are reviewed on an ongoing basis and may be adjusted over time to reflect evolving market factors, and individual, team or Company performance.
Benefits:
Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect, you may be eligible to participate in our comprehensive benefit plans – including wellbeing support, retirement and financial protection benefits, and insurance offerings (medical, dental, vision, life and disability).
U.S.-based exempt employees are eligible for Flexible Time Off (FTO), which provides paid time off without a set accrual limit, subject to manager approval, along with 11 paid company holidays each year.
Non-exempt employees, RayzeBio employees, and employees located in Puerto Rico receive 160 hours of paid vacation annually for new hires (subject to manager approval), 11 paid company holidays, and 3 optional holidays.
Depending on eligibility, employees may also have access to additional time-off benefits, including paid sick leave, up to two paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, and leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, or military needs. Eligible employees also enjoy an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
U.S.-based job seekers can explore full benefit offerings at https://careers.bms.com/benefits
How We Work
Where you work matters – because collaboration, innovation and patient impact happen in many settings. Our roles are structured across four work models: site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design. The model assigned to this role is based on its core responsibilities. Learn more at https://careers.bms.com/ways-of-working.
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 [email protected]. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.
Candidate Rights
BMS will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.
For roles based in Los Angeles County only: 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.
If this posting is missing required information required by local law or incorrect, contact BMS at [email protected]with the Job Title and Requisition number. Do not send application-related inquiries to this email. To check your application status, please login to your Candidate Home Account.
R1603372 : Associate Director, Strategy & Media Relations
Skills Required
- 8 years of media relations experience
- Experience in pharmaceutical or similar industry
- Existing relationships with top business, consumer and financial media
- Excellent writing and research skills
- Knowledge of AP style
- Issues management experience
- Strong business acumen
- Ability to interact effectively with many levels of colleagues across a complex organization
- Strong writing and storytelling capabilities, including translating complex scientific, business, policy, or societal issues into clear messaging
- Ability to effectively counsel senior leaders
- Superior written, verbal, facilitation and interpersonal communications skills
- High proficiency with digital communications and effective use of online platforms
- Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism or related field
Bristol Myers Squibb Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Bristol Myers Squibb and has not been reviewed or approved by Bristol Myers Squibb.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered fair and competitive for the pharmaceutical sector, with many describing compensation as good or better than expected. Feedback suggests base pay combined with incentives contributes to overall satisfaction.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is broad, combining medical, dental, vision, disability, and wellness programs, along with access to on‑site fitness. Feedback suggests employer contributions to health accounts and wellbeing incentives further strengthen perceived value.
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Retirement Support — Retirement savings are reinforced by a strong 401(k) match and additional plan options. This structure is commonly cited as a standout component of total rewards.
Bristol Myers Squibb Insights
What We Do
At Bristol Myers Squibb, we work every day to transform patients’ lives through science. That work inspires some of the most interesting, meaningful, and life-changing careers you’ll experience. Join us and pursue innovative ideas alongside some of the brightest minds in biopharma, collaborating with a team rich in diversity of experiences, and perspectives. We have built a sustainable pipeline of potential therapies and are leveraging translational medicine and data analytics to understand how we can deliver the right medicine to the right patient, at the right time, to achieve the best outcome. Whether in a scientific, business or supporting function, a career at BMS means you’ll be inspired every day to grow and thrive through opportunities that are uncommon in scale and scope. Here, you’ll be on the cutting edge of powerful innovation in oncology, hematology, immunology, cardiovascular disease, and fibrosis, with colleagues united in the mission to help patients. Through the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, we also promote health equity and seek to improve health outcomes of populations disproportionately affected by serious diseases and conditions. Our mission is to give new hope to help patients prevail over serious disease – it drives everything we do.
