📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Director - Policy Communications
🔹 Company: Roche
🔹 Location: Washington, DC
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Policy & Communications
🔹 Date Posted: April 24, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (flexible remote work)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing a comprehensive policy communications strategy
- Translating complex policy issues into clear, accessible messaging
- Collaborating with senior leadership, policy teams, and external stakeholders
- Managing a team and providing strategic communications counsel
- Monitoring media coverage and shaping public narratives
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, excellent communication skills, and experience in policy communications or a related field.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and execute a comprehensive policy communications strategy that supports business and thought leadership goals, as well as transformative advocacy priorities
✅ Align messaging with organizational objectives and policy goals
✅ Provide strategic communications counsel to senior leadership, policy teams, and other internal stakeholders
✅ Craft clear, compelling, and fact-based messages that communicate complex policy issues in accessible language
✅ Prepare op-eds, speeches, talking points, and other written materials to advance policy goals
✅ Coordinate the development of policy briefs, fact sheets, reports, and other public-facing materials
✅ Monitor media coverage of key policy issues and work proactively to shape public narratives
✅ Collaborate with media relations and external communications teams on media engagement, strategy, and responses
✅ Manage communication strategies for public hearings, legislative sessions, and other policy-related events
✅ Oversee the development of digital content, including social media posts, blog articles, and email newsletters, to engage stakeholders and raise awareness about key policy issues
✅ Use data analytics to monitor the effectiveness of digital communications efforts and adapt strategies as needed
✅ Co-lead crisis communication efforts and “rapid response” team to address emerging policy challenges or controversies in collaboration with Media Relations and External Communications
✅ Develop and implement proactive communication strategies to manage issues before they escalate
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong leadership, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Political Science, or related field
Experience: Minimum of 12-15 years of experience in healthcare or adjacent policy communications, public relations, media relations, or advocacy
Required Skills:
- Proven track record of developing and implementing strategic communications plans, with a focus on policy issues
- Strong understanding of government processes, policy development, and the media landscape
- Experience working in a state or government office, non-profit, advocacy organization, or public affairs agency
Preferred Skills:
- Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, including executive presence and confidence to share strategy and counsel with senior management
- Ability to translate complex policy information into accessible, engaging content
- Deep experience with crisis communications and issue management
- Knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes, including experience working with lawmakers and government agencies
- Experience in media relations and digital communications, including social media strategy and analytics
- Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and meet tight deadlines
- Strong leadership skills and experience managing a team
- Experience navigating ambiguity and working in a highly matrixed organization
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in policy communications, excellent writing skills, and experience managing teams will be well-suited for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $164,500/yr to $305,500/yr (based on the primary location of Washington DC)
Benefits:
- Discretionary annual bonus based on individual and Company performance
- Benefits detailed at the link provided
Working Hours: Full-time position with flexibility for remote work or hybrid options. Occasional travel may be required. Must be able to work outside of normal business hours when necessary, especially during peak advocacy periods.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the primary location of Washington DC and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Biotechnology Research. Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives.
Company Size: 10,001+ employees. Roche is a large organization with a global presence, offering opportunities for career growth and development.
Founded: 1896. Roche has a long history of innovation and commitment to improving patient lives.
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 recognized 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
- diabetes care
- genomics
- healthcare technology
- big data
Company Website: http://www.roche.com/
ASSUMPTION: Roche is a well-established company with a strong focus on innovation and improving patient lives. Candidates should be prepared to work in a dynamic, global environment.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior Director. This role is a senior leadership position, requiring a high level of strategic thinking and experience in policy communications.
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the SVP, Public Affairs and Access (PAA) and works closely with the CEO and relevant members of the PAA team, External Affairs and Policy experts, Corporate Communications, as well as other internal and external partners.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid. This role offers flexibility for remote work or hybrid options, with occasional travel required.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance within the Public Affairs and Access department or other areas of the organization
- Opportunities to work on high-impact policy initiatives and collaborate with senior leadership
- Chance to develop and refine strategic communications skills and team management abilities
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for candidates with strong leadership skills and a proven track record in policy communications.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid. This role is based out of the Washington, DC Genentech campus but offers flexibility for remote work.
Office Location(s): Washington, DC
Geographic Context:
- The Washington, DC area is a major hub for policy and advocacy, offering ample opportunities for networking and collaboration
- The region is home to numerous think tanks, advocacy organizations, and government agencies
- The cost of living in the Washington, DC area is higher than the national average
Work Schedule: Full-time position with flexibility for remote work or hybrid options. Occasional travel may be required. Must be able to work outside of normal business hours when necessary, especially during peak advocacy periods.
ASSUMPTION: The Washington, DC area is a competitive job market for policy and communications professionals, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their unique qualifications and fit for this role.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring team
- Final interview with senior leadership
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic communications planning and execution
- Messaging and storytelling abilities
- Media relations and crisis communications experience
- Leadership and team management skills
- Understanding of policy development processes and the media landscape
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your policy communications experience and strategic thinking skills
- Prepare examples of your past work that demonstrate your ability to translate complex policy issues into clear, accessible messaging
- Research Roche and the policy landscape to demonstrate your understanding of the organization's priorities and the relevant policy issues
ATS Keywords: Policy Communications, Strategic Planning, Media Relations, Crisis Management, Digital Communications, Stakeholder Engagement, Message Development, Storytelling, Advocacy, Public Affairs, Team Leadership, Government Relations, Data Analytics, Writing, Editing, Public Speaking
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic communications skills, policy knowledge, and leadership abilities.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite
- CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress, Drupal)
- Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
- Media monitoring and analytics tools (e.g., Mention, Brand24)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in various communications and project management tools, as well as familiarity with social media platforms and media monitoring tools.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Patient focus
- Integrity
- Courage
- Collaboration
- Innovation
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic environment
- Collaborative and team-oriented culture
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
- Focus on work-life balance and employee well-being
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a proven track record of developing and implementing strategic communications plans with a focus on policy issues?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and managing multiple priorities?
- Do you have strong leadership skills and experience managing teams?
- Are you able to translate complex policy information into accessible, engaging content?
- Do you have experience working with senior leadership and providing strategic communications counsel?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should assess their fit with Roche's values and work style, as well as their qualifications and experience in policy communications, before applying for this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working in a highly matrixed organization with multiple stakeholders
- Managing a team and providing strategic communications counsel to senior leadership
- Balancing multiple priorities and working under pressure, especially during peak advocacy periods
- Navigating ambiguity and working in a dynamic, global environment
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities, as well as navigate ambiguity and work with various stakeholders.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from related positions in its focus on policy communications and advocacy, as well as the requirement to work closely with senior leadership and external stakeholders
- Policy communications roles in the healthcare industry often require a strong understanding of government processes, policy development, and the media landscape
- Career paths in policy communications can lead to roles in public affairs, government relations, or corporate communications, depending on the candidate's interests and experience
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should research similar roles in policy communications and consider their career goals and interests when applying for this position.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive communications strategy for a high-profile policy initiative
- Crafting clear, compelling messaging for a complex policy issue and translating it into accessible language for various audiences
- Managing a team to produce a policy brief, fact sheet, or report on a relevant topic
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should prepare examples of their past work that demonstrate their ability to translate complex policy issues into clear, accessible messaging and manage teams to produce high-quality communications materials.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall communications strategy for the organization?
- What are the most pressing policy challenges or opportunities facing the company in the near future?
- How does the team collaborate with other departments, such as External Affairs and Policy, Corporate Communications, and Media Relations?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its employees?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate their interest in the role and the organization, as well as their understanding of the policy landscape and the company's priorities.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link: https://roche.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/ROG-A2O-GENE/job/Washington-DC/Senior-Director--Policy-Communications_202503-105994-1
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your policy communications experience and strategic thinking skills
- Prepare examples of your past work that demonstrate your ability to translate complex policy issues into clear, accessible messaging
- Research Roche and the policy landscape to demonstrate your understanding of the organization's priorities and the relevant policy issues
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
