Senior Director, Emerging + Portfolio Scientific Communications

Key Objectives / Deliverables

• PLATFORM NARRATIVE STRATEGY: Help to develop the overarching communications strategy for Lilly's emerging science portfolio. Build platform-level narratives (e.g., 'genetic medicines,' platform/new modalities,' infectious disease,’ etc.) that establish Lilly's scientific leadership independent of any single asset.
• EXECUTIVE STORYTELLING AND PRESENTATIONS: Support the development of executive speeches, presentations, and storytelling modules for the Chief Scientific Officer, BU Leaders, and LRL Leadership Team. Partner with the Global Comms Strategy, Innovation and Operations team for design and creative production.
• ENTERPRISE SCIENTIFIC NARRATIVE: Develop reusable storytelling modules that travel across the enterprise, equipping leaders and communicators across Global Communications with the building blocks to tell Lilly's science story consistently and compellingly. Support storytelling for LRL and R&D achievements, building narrative modules that can be adapted for media, scientific, and other external audiences.
• SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY AND CONGRESS ENGAGEMENT: Drive communications strategy for emerging science at key scientific forums. Develop early-stage narrative to build awareness and credibility.
• COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE AND PROACTIVE POSITIONING: Monitor the competitive landscape across new areas of our scientific interest and focus. Develop proactive positioning and messaging frameworks that define the category on Lilly's terms.
• MEDIA RELATIONS: Develop media strategy for emerging science landmarks and platform stories. Build relationships with journalists covering genetic medicines, biotech innovation, and the future of drug development.
• CROSS-PILLAR PARTNERSHIP: Work closely with the Global Data Storytelling Communications and Global Consumer Science Communications pillars to ensure emerging science narratives and executive storytelling are grounded in the latest data and aligned with consumer-facing narrative strategy.
• TEAM LEADERSHIP: Lead and develop the Associate Director, Emerging + Portfolio Science, the cross-pillar Scientific Innovations Manager (P1-P3) and Associate Director, LRL Internal Communications. Manage agency partners and external resources. Supply to the talent pipeline for the broader Scientific Innovation Communications team.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, science, public relations, or related field
• 10+ years of communications experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare environments

Additional Skills / Preferences

• Demonstrated expertise in emerging science, genetic medicines, new modalities, and other related communications
• Experience developing executive presentations, speeches, and narrative frameworks for senior R&D or C-suite leaders
• Proven experience navigating high-stakes communications in emerging or novel therapeutic spaces
• Experience providing strategic counsel to senior R&D executives
• Deep understanding of the scientific landscape
• Exceptional ability to translate highly complex scientific concepts into compelling narratives for diverse audiences
• Proven record of building platform-level or category-creation narratives, not just asset-specific messaging
• Strong editorial judgment and the ability to shape how science is presented at the executive level, from narrative arc to final content
• Experience developing reusable storytelling frameworks and modules for enterprise-wide use
• Familiarity with the evolving regulatory, investor, and payer perspectives on genetic and regenerative medicines, infectious diseases, oncology and other interesting scientific topics
• Strong media relations skills, particularly with science and biotech journalists
• Proactive, anticipatory attitude capable of building narratives years ahead of late-stage readouts
• Content with ambiguity and the rigor to communicate emerging science responsibly without overcommitting on timelines
• Strong executive presence and credibility across R&D, commercial, and corporate collaborator audiences