Principal Manager, Internal Communications – Research

About the role

You will join the Research Communications team on a 12-month contract to help establish the foundational internal communications infrastructure that enables our Research organization to communicate with greater consistency, clarity, and impact.

Responsibilities

• Design and establish foundational internal communications infrastructure for Research departments, including communication frameworks, planning processes, governance, templates, and best practices that enable leaders and teams to communicate more effectively.
• Partner with senior leaders to develop communication strategies that bring clarity to complex business priorities and strengthen employee understanding and engagement.
• Create repeatable communications approaches that improve consistency across the Research organization while allowing flexibility for departmental needs.
• Lead executive communications, including leadership messaging, narratives, town halls, and communications for high-impact organizational moments.
• Step in to lead and deliver strategic employee-focused programs and experiences, including Research-wide meetings, leadership forums, engagement initiatives, and other high-visibility events.
• Design communication plans that support organizational priorities, scientific milestones, and employee engagement initiatives from strategy through execution.
• Gather and interpret employee feedback and engagement insights, translating them into actionable recommendations for leaders.
• Collaborate across R&D and the entire organization to ensure communications are aligned with broader enterprise priorities.
• Support communications related to organizational evolution and change initiatives, helping leaders communicate with transparency, empathy, and confidence.
• Introduce modern communications practices and continuously improve effectiveness through measurement, feedback, and data-driven insights.

Requirements

• BA/BS required.
• 10+ years of experience in internal communications within complex, matrixed organizations.
• Significant experience supporting Research, scientific, or technical organizations within biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or related industries.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic communications, executive communications, and employee engagement.
• Experience designing communications frameworks, operating models, or foundational communications capabilities that enable organizations to communicate more effectively.
• Proven ability to quickly establish credibility and influence senior leaders.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to lead multiple strategic initiatives simultaneously.
• Comfortable operating at both strategic and execution levels in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree or background in life sciences or a related field preferred.
• Experience across both internal and external communications preferred.
• Consulting or advisory experience supporting senior executives preferred.
• Experience designing large-scale employee engagement programs, leadership events, or internal conferences preferred.