External Communications Associate Director

External Comms Associate Director

Location: Gaithersburg, MD

Onsite Flexibility: Hybrid - 3 days per week onsite

Contract Details
Position Type: Contract
Contract Duration: 6 months (covering maternity leave)
Start: July 27, 2026 (preferred); August 10, 2026 (alternate)
Pay Rate: $80.00-$90.00 / Hour (USD)
Shift / Schedule: Normal business hours
Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Job Summary

The R&D Communications Director will support Global Corporate Affairs to help tell the R&D story externally, uncovering, developing, and delivering opportunities to showcase the great science and outstanding people across teams. This will help position the client as the best science-led organisation in the industry and the partner and employer of choice.

The role will involve working closely with R&D scientists - from discovery to development, as well as Global Corporate Affairs colleagues - developing multi-layered campaigns across digital, social and traditional media to bring the science of drug discovery and development to life. The content and stories you develop will need to resonate with a wide range of primarily external audience groups, including collaborators, recruits, and media.

Key Responsibilities Development and delivery of an integrated external communications plan to strengthen the client's reputation as a scientific leader in science and technology platforms, across external stakeholders & channels
Provide communications support and coaching to Expert Function Leaders, like Discovery Sciences and Clinical Operations, about communicating scientific messages and external communications generally, e.g., social
Serves as a counsellor and support for executive communications/external engagements for R&D leaders. Includes supporting key activities such as media interviews and speaking engagements.
Showcase and amplify scientific publications relating to R&D science and tech, and highlight and support scientists across our digital platforms
Ability to identify proactive comms opportunities and devise tactics that showcase R&D and are aligned with the overall strategy
Support PR execution for partnering activities related to R&D science and tech, including development of press releases, statements, and Q&As
Prepare for potential issues
Closely partner with the client's Global Media and digital communications teams on relevant communications activities and identify opportunities for engagement and collaboration
Support the markets to effectively communicate about the client's scientific programmes and What Science Can Do
Establish measures of success and implement relevant evaluation tools for all communications activities
Required Skills Established track record of delivering impactful, content-rich communications programmes across multiple channels and stakeholders with demonstrable measures of success
Understanding and experience of creating scientific/technical content, ideally in a biopharmaceutical context
Experience of working with the media
Experience of working with regional and market communicators to support excellent local delivery
Exemplary native English-level written and verbal communication skills
Team worker with a high level of personal accountability
Preferred Skills Entrepreneurial approach and desire to challenge the status quo
Confidence around senior leaders and comfortable delivering alternative viewpoints
Strong channel management, digital skills, and knowledge of technology options
Able to develop and maintain networks across business and cultural boundaries
Ability to undertake global travel will be required, primarily between other Strategic Science Centres
Benefits Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance Plans
401k Retirement Fund
Important Notes Interview process: 2 virtual interviews - (1) 30-minute interview with the hiring manager; (2) 45-minute to 1-hour panel interview

About GTT

GTT is a minority-owned staffing firm and a subsidiary of Chenega Corporation, a Native American-owned company in Alaska. We highly value diverse and inclusive workplaces and support Fortune 500 organizations across banking, financial services, technology, life sciences, biotech, utilities, and retail sectors throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Job Number: 26-06975

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