📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Manager, Product Public Relations
🔹 Company: Roche
🔹 Location: South San Francisco, California, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Biotechnology Research
🔹 Date Posted: June 17, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Supporting the implementation and execution of public relations strategies for Product Public Relations.
- Helping shape communications strategy and launch plans for late-stage pipeline assets and portfolio.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders to deliver results according to brand strategic plans.
- Managing public relations agencies and associated budgets.
- Working in a dynamic, agile team environment to develop new approaches to communication.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a highly matrixed organization.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Supporting the Product Public Relations team to execute PPR plans in support of assigned therapy areas and brand(s).
✅ Implementing end-to-end communications plans leveraging earned media, sponsored content, social media, and owned media channels to engage media, patients, HCPs, consumers, policymakers, advocacy partners, and other external stakeholders.
✅ Serving as a public relations expert for one or more products/pipeline assets and having a deep understanding of the brand objectives.
✅ Basic media relations; proactive media pitching, reactively responding to media inquiries, story monitoring, and relationship engagement with select media.
✅ Partnering with numerous internal stakeholders, including Commercial, Public Affairs & Access, U.S. Medical Affairs, Legal and Regulatory, and cross-functional global counterparts and other internal stakeholders.
✅ Content planning and creation for corporate digital channels (social media, gene.com) and channel management including all compliance processes.
✅ Execution of communications strategies for brand priorities, delivering supervised results according to brand strategic plans.
✅ Serving as a strong communications/public relations expert working collaboratively with relevant teams to develop, implement, and deliver agreed communication programs/campaigns/activities.
✅ Developing and measuring effective metrics/KPIs to track communication impact and deliver the best business outcomes.
✅ Being inspired, curious, and creative to help transform to a continuous improvement culture, fueled by innovation.
✅ Managing Public Relations agencies working in support of our medicines. Being accountable for associated budgets and resources.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong organizational skills, the ability to work under pressure, and the capacity to respond quickly to changing situations in complex project environments.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field, including journalism, public relations, communications.
Experience: Minimum of 6-8 years in roles delivering high impact communication strategies and plans within a global organization.
Required Skills:
- Good at stakeholder management and ability to work effectively in a highly matrixed organization and across geographical boundaries.
- Ability to work in agile team settings, supporting the teams and collectively driving for collective results, resilience.
- Talented writer.
- Practical social media experience – both in planning strategies and creating impactful content.
- Able to work and multi-task under pressure, have strong organizational ability and respond quickly to changing situations in complex project environments.
- Confident in building effective relationships, inside and outside the company.
- Excellent interpersonal skills; hardworking team player and self-starter.
- Ability to provide effective coaching and guidance to peers and other team members.
- Ability to work in a global environment including understanding of cultural differences.
- Experience in translating scientific/technical content for a broad range of audiences.
Preferred Skills:
- Past experience of working in a biotechnology or scientific industry.
- Agency and/or journalism experience strongly preferred.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the biotechnology or scientific industry and/or agency/journalism experience are strongly preferred for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of California is $106,600.00 – $198,000.00. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
Benefits:
- Eligible to earn incentive compensation calculated and paid in accordance with the applicable Incentive Compensation Plan for the role.
- Eligible for benefits detailed at the link provided in the job description.
Working Hours: This position requires about 25 to 50% domestic travel.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalised healthcare.
Company Size: Roche is a large company with over 10,000 employees worldwide. This size offers opportunities for growth and collaboration with diverse teams.
Founded: Roche was founded in 1896 and continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society.
Company Description:
- Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology, and diseases of the central nervous system.
- Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management.
- Roche has been recognised as the Group Leader in sustainability within the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences Industry ten years in a row by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).
Company Specialties:
- biotechnology
- innovation
- personalized healthcare
- diagnostics
- pharmaceuticals
- research
- healthcare
- personalised healthcare
- diabetes care
- genomics
- healthcare technology
- big data
- and Science
Company Website: http://www.roche.com
ASSUMPTION: Roche's focus on innovation, sustainability, and improving people's lives makes it an attractive employer for candidates seeking to make a positive impact.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a management position, offering opportunities for career growth and development within the organization.
Reporting Structure: The Manager, Product Public Relations, reports directly to the Senior Director of Product Public Relations.
Work Arrangement: This is an on-site position based in South San Francisco, California, with about 25 to 50% domestic travel required.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to move into senior roles within the Product Public Relations team or other departments within Roche.
- Opportunities to work on diverse projects and gain experience in various therapy areas and brand priorities.
- Chance to develop leadership skills by managing public relations agencies and associated budgets.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for candidates looking to advance their careers in public relations within the biotechnology industry.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Roche's South San Francisco office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and creativity.
Office Location(s): South San Francisco, California, United States
Geographic Context:
- The San Francisco Bay Area offers a diverse and vibrant culture, with numerous attractions, restaurants, and outdoor activities.
- The region has a mild Mediterranean climate, with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers.
- The cost of living in the Bay Area is high, with housing being particularly expensive.
Work Schedule: This is a full-time position with standard business hours, Monday through Friday. The role may require occasional overtime or weekend work to meet project deadlines.
ASSUMPTION: The Bay Area's diverse culture and vibrant atmosphere make it an attractive location for candidates seeking a dynamic work environment and a high quality of life.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission through the Roche careers portal.
- Phone or video screening with the hiring manager or a member of the HR team.
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and other members of the Product Public Relations team.
- Final interview with the Senior Director of Product Public Relations.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills and ability to develop and execute effective communication strategies.
- Stakeholder management and ability to work effectively in a highly matrixed organization.
- Cultural fit and alignment with Roche's values and mission.
- Problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure in a complex project environment.
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with media relations, stakeholder management, and communication strategy development.
- Demonstrate your understanding of Roche's mission and values, and how your personal values align with the company's.
ATS Keywords: Product Public Relations, Communication Strategy, Media Relations, Stakeholder Management, Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, Global Organization, Agile Teamwork, Public Relations Expert
ASSUMPTION: Roche's interview process is designed to assess candidates' communication skills, cultural fit, and ability to develop and execute effective communication strategies.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Social media platforms (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook)
- Media monitoring and analysis tools (Mention, Brand24, Hootsuite)
- Project management tools (Asana, Trello)
- Content management systems (CMS)
ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, social media platforms, and media monitoring tools. Familiarity with project management tools and CMS is also beneficial.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity: Roche is committed to acting with integrity in all aspects of its business.
- Respect: Roche values and respects the diversity of its employees, customers, patients, and partners.
- Courage: Roche encourages its employees to take smart risks and learn from both successes and failures.
Work Style:
- Collaborative: Roche fosters a culture of teamwork and collaboration, both internally and with external partners.
- Innovative: Roche encourages its employees to think creatively and challenge the status quo.
- Patient-focused: Roche is committed to improving the lives of patients and making a sustainable contribution to society.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have experience working in a highly matrixed organization and across geographical boundaries?
- Are you comfortable working in an agile team environment and supporting teams to collectively drive results?
- Do you have a natural interest in pharmaceuticals/biotechnology and healthcare?
- Are you able to work and multi-task under pressure, have strong organizational ability, and respond quickly to changing situations in complex project environments?
- Are you confident in building effective relationships, inside and outside the company?
- Do you have excellent interpersonal skills, are a hardworking team player, and a self-starter?
ASSUMPTION: Roche's culture values integrity, respect, courage, collaboration, innovation, and a patient-focused approach. Candidates who align with these values and work styles are likely to be a good fit for the organization.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The fast-paced and dynamic nature of the biotechnology industry can be challenging for candidates who prefer a more stable work environment.
- The role may require occasional overtime or weekend work to meet project deadlines, which can be demanding for candidates with personal or family commitments.
- The high cost of living in the Bay Area may be a barrier for candidates seeking affordable housing options.
- The competitive nature of the biotechnology industry can make it challenging for candidates to stand out and advance their careers.
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are common to the biotechnology industry and the Bay Area region. Candidates should carefully consider their personal and professional priorities before applying for this role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Senior Associate or Manager role in Public Relations or Corporate Communications within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.
- Compared to other industries, the biotechnology industry is highly competitive and fast-paced, with a strong focus on innovation and scientific discovery.
- Career paths in the biotechnology industry may include progression to senior roles within the Product Public Relations team or other departments within Roche, or transition to a different function within the organization.
ASSUMPTION: This role is similar to other management-level positions in public relations or corporate communications within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry. However, the competitive and fast-paced nature of the industry sets it apart from other fields.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a communication strategy for the launch of a new pipeline asset in the oncology therapeutic area.
- Managing a crisis communication plan in response to a media inquiry about a clinical trial safety concern.
- Creating and implementing a social media campaign to raise awareness of a rare disease and its impact on patients and caregivers.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and challenges that the Manager, Product Public Relations, may face in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Product Public Relations team?
- How does Roche support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how is this supported within the Product Public Relations team?
- What are the key priorities for the Product Public Relations team in the next 12-24 months, and how does this role contribute to these objectives?
- How does Roche engage with and support the rare disease community, and what role does this play in the company's mission?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help candidates better understand the work environment, team dynamics, and company priorities, allowing them to make an informed decision about the role and their fit within the organization.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Roche careers portal.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Prepare for your interview by researching Roche's mission, values, and recent news, and be ready to discuss your experience with media relations, stakeholder management, and communication strategy development.
- If selected for a final interview, be prepared to present a communication plan or strategy for a hypothetical product launch or crisis communication scenario.
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within one week of your interview to express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the role.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
