Associate Director, Public Affairs, Specialty

Job Description Purpose The Associate Director, Public Affairs, Specialty is an opportunity to apply communications and engagement strategy skills for the benefit of patients across the world. This unique role serves as the Public Affairs lead for our U.S. Specialty organization, while also driving communications and advocacy engagement strategies for AbbVie’s anti-infectives and eye care brands internationally and creating market‑shaping programming for emerging areas of focus including obesity. Within the U.S., this role will provide issues‑based counsel for our entire Specialty brand portfolio, as well as proactive efforts for select brands. Internationally, the Associate Director will collaborate with and lead AbbVie’s in‑country communicators in applying an understanding of the company’s brand and enterprise strategies to generate communication platforms that are carried out around the world to drive patient engagement, enhance visibility for AbbVie’s therapeutic area leadership, and protect AbbVie’s reputation. Reporting to the Senior Director, Commercial Communications & Public Affairs (CCPA) with a dotted line to the Head of International Public Affairs, this dynamic contributor will also support strategic and executive communications as part of the broader CCPA team. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to build relationships, engage with geographically diverse teams, think globally and set priorities among competing objectives, while working in a fast‑paced, but highly rewarding patient‑centered environment. Responsibilities Develop and apply strong understanding of enterprise businesses and therapeutic area, industry, and external landscape to provide communications strategic counsel to headquarters‑based and in‑country communicators as well as functional and franchise management teams. Foster strong relationships with and provide strategic communications counsel to senior leaders of AbbVie’s Specialty business. Collaborate with U.S. and global brand teams and cross‑functional partners to set and achieve brand goals, and communicate progress, changes, and milestones. Deliver a cohesive public affairs and advocacy engagement plan to support AbbVie’s global Specialty brand objectives and uphold AbbVie’s reputation by engaging with multiple cross‑functional partners to understand diverse functional perspectives, mitigate issues and elevate reputation. Obtain internal stakeholder alignment, management approval, and secure resources to execute future plans. Oversee public relations and creative agency teams in the execution of 2024 tactical program elements and ensure deliverables are on time/on budget. Partner with R&D Communications on scientific data disclosures for on‑market brands and shape the environment for AbbVie’s emerging pipeline in Obesity among external public stakeholders. Lead issues management communications for AbbVie’s U.S. Specialty business and international brands and serve as a strategic advisor for in‑country communications teams managing local issues. Serve as spokesperson for designated brands and the public affairs lead in related international brand teams. Oversee the identification, development, and skill maintenance of internal and third‑party spokespeople. Engage and interact with media, thought leaders and key opinion leaders, and advise in‑country communications teams as needed on local media engagements. Hybrid work model - 3 days in office (Mettawa)/2 days remotely #J-18808-Ljbffr