Purpose

The Associate Director, R&D Integrated Communications leads the development, management and measurement of cross-R&D strategic messaging and storytelling that strengthen AbbVie’s reputation as a science-forward company, enhance culture and support pipeline advancement. This role develops and maintains an aligned R&D narrative, translates complex science and pipeline progress into clear communications and stories for internal and external audiences, and ensures consistent message pull-through across plans, channels and teams. Working across therapeutic areas, R&D sub-functions and Corporate Affairs, this role is instrumental in aligning and integrating communication efforts that advance AbbVie’s scientific reputation among key stakeholders. This role reports to the Director of R&D Executive Communications and Strategic Initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develops and manages AbbVie R&D messaging that clearly articulates R&D strategy, priorities, pipeline progress, milestones, innovation and impact.
• Ensures consistent message pull-through across internal and external channels, including abbvie.com, external speaking opportunities, campaigns and corporate materials.
• Identifies and develops R&D storytelling opportunities that support the positioning of AbbVie R&D in partnership with subject matter experts, spanning written, video, web, social and other content formats.
• Serves as lead producer for AbbVie’s The Persistence Lab podcast, including story mining, speaker management, writing, review and promotion.
• Co-creates and manages implementation of a content calendar with key partners, including the R&D Integrated Planning & Activation team, for internal and external audiences.
• Collaborates across R&D Communications, Corporate Marketing (web, content, social), affiliates and Corporate Affairs to create and amplify content through a coordinated, omnichannel approach.
• Defines KPIs, measures impact of external R&D communications; synthesizes insights to strengthen R&D storytelling and channel strategy.
• Oversees tactical program execution to ensure deliverables are completed on time and on budget.
• Manages agency partners and related program budgets.

Core Skills:

• Expertise in strategic messaging, narrative development, omnichannel content strategy and communications measurement.
• Business acumen to frame the “why” and align communications to business priorities.
• High professional competency to provide strategic communications counsel to executives and senior level stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of communications trends, digital channels, audience insights and impactful storytelling formats.
• Ability to define meaningful KPIs and use reach, engagement, comprehension and feedback data to improve communications.
• Ability to break down silos to nurture strong cross-functional partnership.
• Leadership style that fosters collaboration, creativity and collegiality.
• Ability to translate complex concepts for target audiences and channels, with curiosity to continuously build knowledge.
• Ability to evaluate and apply emerging AI technologies to improve storytelling, content creation, ideation and communications effectiveness.