Director, Crisis and Issues Communications

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 rich in diversity. Take your career farther than you thought possible.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director, Global Media Relations and Financial Communications, the Director, Crisis and Issues Communications, is responsible for leading and executing advanced communication strategies focused specifically on responding to crises and critical situations. This role requires a candidate with extensive experience in crisis communications, media relations, digital and social media, internal, and international communications.

The ideal candidate will be a proactive leader and an exceptional strategist with strong writing skills, thriving in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. You will be at the forefront of preparing and responding to emergent situations with a nuanced approach. This includes managing sensitive situations, handling challenging media inquiries, and serving as a key advisor to critical partners and leaders across the enterprise. Your responsibilities also involve developing and maintaining the enterprise's crisis communications playbook and ensuring its integration with pertinent organizational protocols. The successful candidate will have a strong track record of leading cross-functional teams, influencing outcomes, and being committed to positively impacting the communities and stakeholders we serve.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive crisis communication strategies and provide strategic communication advice to senior leadership during critical situations.

Design and implement crisis response plans that address immediate and long-term challenges, align with stakeholders, and strategize with interdisciplinary teams for effective crisis resolution.

Collaborate closely with other members of the Global Media Relations and Financial Communications Team, and other key internal partners to advise company spokespersons, support crisis media training, and create compelling strategic content for various communication needs during crises.

Foster a deep understanding of diverse cultures and practices, ensuring global perspectives are integrated into crisis communication strategies and responses, enhancing the organization's ability to navigate complex, multinational scenarios effectively.

Maintain the organization’s enterprise crisis communications playbook with a focus on scenario-based readiness and emergent agile response, as well as continuous improvement, innovation, and consistency with relevant organizational protocols.

Participate in and occasionally lead the planning and execution of crisis communication trainings and simulations, helping to ensure designated personnel are prepared and well-versed in the organization's protocols and response strategies for various crisis scenarios.

Share best practices and maintain the crisis communications ‘center of excellence’ to drive consistency across issues and crises that arise across the enterprise.

Establish and report on KPIs for crisis communication strategies and ensure strategic execution and alignment with organizational goals.

Stay up to date on trends, corporate issues, and news; Shares learnings and insights with the broader Corporate Affairs team, particularly those across the life sciences and other highly regulated industries.

Uphold the company's commitment to integrity and obligations to our stakeholders in the course of managing reputation risk and crisis situations.

Key Qualifications

10+ years of experience in public relations, crisis communications, corporate communications, or a related area within the biopharmaceutical or similar industry.

Demonstrated expertise in crisis communications, including proactive and reactive situation management, coupled with excellent communication, writing and message development skills, and the ability to provide strategic counsel to leadership.

Proven leadership skills with the ability to build consensus under pressure, manage teams and projects effectively, and understand diverse global cultures and practices.

Strong project management skills with proven success managing major projects and deadlines.

Excellent writing and research skills, with knowledge of AP style and a keen attention to detail.

Extensive experience in media relations, training executives, and familiarity with digital channels and social media strategies.

Exceptional problem-solving, analytical and decision-making skills.

High personal and professional integrity with a keen ability for innovative and analytical thinking, and experience in crisis communication planning and response.

Excels in fast-paced, challenging environment.

Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or other relevant field.

Location
 

Princeton - NJ – US

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 an inclusive culture, promoting diversity 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 a diverse 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.

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 . Visit to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

BMS cares about your well-being and the well-being of our staff, customers, patients, and communities. As a result, the Company strongly recommends that all employees be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and keep up to date with Covid-19 boosters.

BMS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.

Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.