The AVP of Communications, Lilly Neuroscience, will lead global communications support for key product areas in Lilly's Neuroscience business. This role is accountable for globally setting the communications strategy for the therapeutic area and ensuring strong execution in key markets including the U.S. and IBU (International Business Unit). The AVP will work closely with teams across markets to drive consistent, impactful communications across geographies. 
 

Oversight will include traditional and non-traditional communications supporting Lilly's broad and growing portfolio and pipeline of Neuroscience medicines. The position includes communications management of product launches, key data releases, critical consumer programs as well as partnering with Crisis and Issues team on key policy issues such as affordability and access. 
 

The AVP will serve as a trusted member of the Therapeutic Area Business Leader's extended leadership team, providing strategic counsel and communications expertise to guide business decisions. This role requires executive presence, the ability to remain calm under pressure, and strong collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across all organizational levels. The successful candidate will be open to new ways of thinking and will introduce innovative approaches. 

The position will report to Chief Communications Officer and lead a team of individuals. The leader will be accountable for leading an agile team of communications colleagues to effectively execute a global communications strategy that cuts across early stages to commercialization. The leader must approach the work with a "Team Lilly" mindset – i.e., supporting the Neuroscience business while keeping other interests and stakeholders in mind. 

 
The job has four primary areas of focus: 1) delivering strategic communications for the neuroscience pipeline and portfolio – including scientific data, and regulatory milestones; 2) integrated communications strategies across environment shaping activities; 3) proactive executive visibility strategy for NBU leadership, and 4) protecting our brand and products through agile issues management. 
 

The position will report to the Chief Communications Officer and will be part of the Lilly Neuroscience Business Unit Extended Leadership team. 

Specific Global oversight responsibilities include: 

• Owns global external and internal communications for a therapeutic area, setting strategy and driving execution across U.S. and International markets. 

• Set the global communications execution plan for the Neuroscience therapeutic area and ensure strong execution across all markets. 

• Provide governance and oversight communications colleagues in US and IBU affiliates to ensure alignment, measurement, and execution excellence 

• Lead Communications around key data and regulatory milestones for new pipeline assets as well as new indications and line extensions for best-in-class products 

• Lead environment shaping communications efforts around scientific data, regulatory milestones, launches, and line extensions to help support strong launches of our new molecules integrated with the relevant Global Customer Office key capabilities. 

• Develop and implement innovative, consumer-centric communications approaches that resonate with patients, healthcare providers, and stakeholders  

• Establish relationship with top tier media, emerging media, and identify and engage non-traditional outlets, including digital creators, podcasters, and niche media, to effectively reach target audiences 

• Lead communications for Therapeutic Area Business Lead 

• Media training, communications counsel and coaching to internal business partners 

• Manage day-to-day work with PR agencies that support our work 

• Anticipate, prioritize, and prepare to manage possible negative issues in the media 

• Conduct and/or facilitate interviews with local, national and international media outlets 

Team Leadership 

• As a member of the Global Communications Leadership Team (GCLT), accountable for ensuring integration within Global Communications and continuous improvement across the function 

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, healthcare or science 

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a professional communications position (journalist or corporate communicator)

• Experience with communications and/or related work experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech or other healthcare

• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization and/or visas for this role 

Additional Skills/Preferences 

• Demonstrated experience in the development and execution of strategic and creative communications plans, including digital and social media 

• Experience setting global communications strategies and driving execution across multiple markets 

• Experience successfully working with cross-functional teams, including collaboration and consensus building 

• Demonstrated influence with business partners 

• Executive presence with the ability to remain calm and effective under pressure 

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively across organizational levels  

• Openness to innovation and new approaches, particularly in consumer-centric communications 

• Ability to understand business and use communication to meet business objectives 

• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, including interactions with senior leaders 

• Experience developing integrated media strategies that leverage both established outlets and innovative content platforms to connect with key audiences 

• PR agency management experience 

• Experience in executive communications 

• Ability to manage issues/crises; ability to handle stress 

• Creative communications skills – written and verbal, as well as interpersonal