Principal Manager, Internal Communications [AQ-13289]

Aquent is proud to partner with a pioneering organization at the forefront of healthcare and biotechnology, dedicated to advancing scientific discovery and improving human health. This client is renowned for its innovative spirit and commitment to groundbreaking research, making a tangible impact on global well-being. Join us in supporting their mission to translate scientific insights into life-changing solutions, where your contributions will directly influence how critical scientific milestones and strategic priorities are understood and embraced.

About the role

This is an exceptional opportunity to step into a strategic role where your expertise will be instrumental in establishing the foundational communication infrastructure for a dynamic and innovative scientific environment. You will be at the heart of fostering clarity, consistency, and profound impact across all internal communications. In this pivotal position, you will collaborate closely with senior leadership within the scientific and innovation function to architect scalable communication frameworks, robust governance models, and essential tools from the ground up. Your work will directly empower leaders and teams to communicate with unprecedented effectiveness, driving engagement and alignment, ensuring every message resonates and inspires.

Responsibilities

• Build Foundational Infrastructure: Design and establish internal communications frameworks, planning processes, governance, templates, and best practices to enable leaders and teams across departments to communicate effectively.
• Executive & Strategic Communications: Partner with senior leaders to craft compelling narratives, leadership messaging, and strategic communication plans that clarify complex business priorities and scientific milestones.
• Event & Program Leadership: Lead high-impact employee experiences and events, including wide-ranging meetings, leadership forums, town halls, and internal engagement initiatives.
• Standardize Operating Models: Develop repeatable communications approaches that improve consistency across the broader organization while maintaining flexibility for departmental needs.
• Change & Transformation Support: Design communications supporting organizational evolution, helping leaders navigate change with transparency, empathy, and confidence.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner across broader enterprise teams to align communications with overarching organizational priorities.
• Insights & Continuous Improvement: Gather employee feedback and engagement metrics, translating data into actionable recommendations to modernize and improve communication effectiveness.

Requirements

• 10+ years of internal communications experience within complex, matrixed environments.
• Significant experience supporting scientific or technical organizations within biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or related life sciences industries.
• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) required; an advanced degree or background in life sciences is preferred.
• Proven track record in executive communications, employee engagement, and designing foundational communications frameworks or operating models.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly build trust, establish credibility, and advise senior executives in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple strategic initiatives simultaneously, balancing high-level strategy with hands-on execution.

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience supporting organizational change/transformation.
• Consulting background.
• Experience across both internal and external communications.
• A history of managing large-scale internal conferences.

Benefits

Eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like:

• Subsidized health, vision, and dental plans.
• Paid sick leave.
• Retirement plans with a match.
• Free online training through Aquent Gymnasium.