Executive Director, R&D Communications, Corporate Affairs

Career Category

Public Relations

Job Description

At Amgen, if you feel like you are a part of something bigger, it’s because you are. Our shared mission—to serve patients living with serious illnesses—drives all that we do.Since 1980, we’ve helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the world’s toughest diseases. With our focus on four therapeutic areas –Oncology, Inflammation, General Medicine, and Rare Disease– we reach millions of patients each year. As a member of the Amgen team, you’ll help make a lasting impact on the lives of patients as we research, manufacture, and deliver innovative medicines to help people live longer, fuller happier lives. Our award-winning culture is collaborative, innovative, and science based. If you have a passion for challenges and the opportunities that lay within them, you’ll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.

What you will do

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. In this vital role as Executive Director, R&D Communications, you will lead Amgen’s global scientific and R&D communications strategy, shaping how we tell our science story across discovery, clinical development, and research innovation. This role will report directly to head of Corporate Affairs with dotted line reporting to the Executive Vice President of Research & Development. This role will sit on both Corporate Affairs and R&D Leadership teams. This role will be responsible for developing and executing a cohesive communications strategy that elevates Amgen’s scientific reputation, showcases our innovation pipeline, and strengthens engagement with internal and external scientific stakeholders. This role will also oversee strategic communications for R&D, including external thought leadership and employee engagement.

The preferred candidate will be based in California.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of Amgen’s global R&D communications strategy, ensuring alignment with enterprise priorities and scientific objectives

• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior R&D leaders, including the EVP of R&D, on reputation, visibility, and scientific storytelling

• Partner seamlessly with R&D leadership core planning team to map and deliver against a robust internal/external news flow

• Oversee thought leadership on R&D innovation, data, and partnerships—strengthening Amgen’s voice across scientific, medical, and business channels

• Partner closely with Corporate Affairs colleagues, Medical, Regulatory, and Investor Relations teams to ensure message alignment and compliance with industry standards.

• Build and sustain a high-performing, results-driven and dependable R&D communications team of about 6 staff members, fostering a culture of collaboration, scientific literacy, and storytelling excellence

• Lead internal R&D engagement, helping connect 4,000+ R&D employees to the company’s mission, strategy, and scientific priorities

• Oversee integrated communications for major R&D events and communications programs and platforms (scientific conferences, pipeline showcases, publications, and milestones)

• Develop metrics to assess impact and continuously optimize communication strategies.

• Understand and advance the use of innovative technologies, including state-of-the-art Comtech and AI platforms and tools

• Manage external PR agency partnerships, ensuring efficient execution of strategic priorities and measurable business impact

What we expect of you

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The professional we seek is a leader with these qualifications.

Basic Qualifications:

• Doctorate degree & 6 years of Corporate Affairs or Scientific Communications experience OR

• Master’s degree & 10 years of Corporate Affairs or Scientific Communications experience OR

• Bachelor’s degree & 12 years of Corporate Affairs or Scientific Communications experience AND

• 6 years of managerial experience directly managing people and/or leadership experience leading teams, projects, programs or directing the allocation of resources

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in Biological or Biomedical science discipline

• 15+ years of communications experience with deep expertise in scientific, medical, or R&D communications within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry

• Ability to translate complex science into accessible and compelling narratives for diverse audiences

• Experience advising senior scientific leaders and managing communication around data, publications, and clinical milestones.

• Experience in issues management, reputation building, and proactive thought leadership

• Leadership skills in matrixed environments with global reach

• Strategic, analytical, and storytelling skills with attention to scientific rigor

• Experience leading teams, agency partners, and large-scale projects under tight timelines

• Storytelling, writing and messaging skills, with the ability to translate complex information into compelling narratives

• Strategic and creative thinker, comfortable navigating ambiguity and developing innovative solutions to communication challenges

• Ability to operate in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, balancing multiple priorities while driving measurable impact

What you can expect of us

As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also work to care for your professional and personal growth and well-being. From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we’ll support your journey every step of the way.The annual base salary range for this opportunity in the U.S. is $266,637 to $360,744. In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers a Total Rewards Plan, based on eligibility, comprising of health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents, financial plans with opportunities to save towards retirement or other goals, work/life balance, and career development opportunities that may include:

• Comprehensive employee benefits package, including a Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts.

• A discretionary annual bonus program, or for field sales representatives, a sales-based incentive plan

• Stock-based long-term incentives

• Award-winning time-off plans and bi-annual company-wide shutdowns

• Flexible work models, including remote work arrangements, where possible

As an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people around the world, Amgen fosters an inclusive environment of diverse, ethical, committed and highly accomplished people who respect each other and live the Amgen values to continue advancing science to serve patients. Together, we compete in the fight against serious disease.Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Amgen does not have an application deadline for this position; we will continue accepting applications until we receive a sufficient number or select a candidate for the position. 

Sponsorship for this role is not guaranteed.

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Salary Range

266,637.35USD -360,744.65 USD