Associate Director, Business Unit Communications and Public Affairs - Gastroenterology

The Associate Director, Business Unit Communications and Public Affairs - Gastroenterology is an opportunity for an entrepreneurial-minded, media savvy, passionate communicator to lead the strategy and execution of all external communications programs that advance AbbVie’s award-winning gastroenterology portfolio.
The Associate Director must be a strategic thinker and execute flawlessly while managing a broad range of internal and external stakeholders across mid-to-high levels of management.
The Associate Director reports to the Director, Business Unit Communications and Public Affairs, Immunology.
This role collaborates with functions across the organization, including Commercial Leadership, Medical Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, Corporate Communications, Research and Development Communications, and International Public Affairs colleagues to identify and maximize opportunities.
RESPONSIBILITIES Develops strategic, high-impact public affairs programs to advance business objectives with emphasis on competitive differentiation, analytics, and the external environment.
Secures timely buy-in and input from functional and franchise leaders on Public Affairs programs, including securing budget to effectively execute programs.
Oversees and implements tactical program elements, ensuring deliverables are met on time and on budget across paid, earned, shared, and owned channels.
Serves as communications advisor to franchise, ensuring programs are creatively developed and executed with the external environment in mind.
Represents Business Unit Communications and Public Affairs on Integrated Brand Teams and proactively contributes to decision making settings with cross-functional business partners.
Develops and maintains relationships on behalf of AbbVie with patient advocates and advocacy organizations.
Demonstrates strong understanding of U.
S.
media environment and has media relations experience and skills to ensure effective engagement with reporters.
Manages issues that affect the business overall by proactively anticipating and mitigating reputational risk to AbbVie and immunology brands.
Drives agency partner performance and ensures effective use of AbbVie resources.
Ensures compliance by managing review process for external communications materials (press releases, statements, response documents, fact sheets, etc.
).
Keep various parties apprised of status, timelines, and directional shifts to ensure smooth review process and to meet corporate deadlines.
Consistently shares best practices and offers new ideas and thoughts to raise the bar for the Business Unit Communications team.
QUALIFICATIONS Required: Experience in the healthcare and / or pharmaceutical industry.
Strong business acumen with the ability to anticipate company and team needs, including strong understanding of U.
S.
healthcare system functioning and intricacies.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills along with knowledge of emerging communications trends and technologies.
Demonstrated media relations experience.
Learns fast, grasps the 'essence' and can change course quickly where indicated; raises the bar and is never satisfied with the status quo; creates a learning environment, open to suggestions and experimentation for improvement.
Detail-oriented, proactive, efficient, creative, enthusiastic, able to make decisions with less-than-perfect information, results-oriented, enjoys complex challenges, flexible and prioritizes what matters most.
Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, journalism or equivalent.
7-10 years of relevant experience and proven track record of success in developing and executing integrated communications plans.
Preferred Corporate, in-house communications experience.
AbbVie is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives, serving our community, and embracing diversity and inclusion.
It is AbbVie’s policy to employ qualified persons of the greatest ability without discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected group status.