📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Manager - Cell Therapy Development and Operations and Product Development Communications
🔹 Company: Bristol Myers Squibb
🔹 Location: Madison & Summit, New Jersey, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Pharmaceuticals
🔹 Date Posted: May 13, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing strategic communication initiatives for Cell Therapy Development and Operations and Product Development.
- Managing internal and external communications, media relations, and issues management to support the company's strategic priorities.
- Collaborating with colleagues across a matrixed organization to promote a high-performance culture.
- Actively pursuing professional development opportunities as part of a continual improvement culture.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of communication skills and the ability to work effectively with senior leaders and colleagues across various departments. It also involves managing multiple workstreams and ensuring appropriate visibility and information sharing across the organization.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Implement internal and external communications strategies to elevate the company’s Cell Therapy Development Operations and Product Development function.
✅ Maintain detailed knowledge and understanding of the company’s Cell Therapy Development Operations and Product Development operations, and observe relevant industry and business trends, to develop internal and external communication initiatives that advance the function’s strategic priorities.
✅ Support development and implement execution of organizational communications initiatives to promote employee engagement through town halls, employee communications across distinct working environments, internal videos, and other communication channels.
✅ Manage Cell Therapy Development Operations and Product Development external communications initiatives to support BMS enterprise reputation through proactive media relations, digital and social media content; paid sponsorships, awards and rankings, events, speaking engagements and other strategically aligned initiatives.
✅ Manage issues and special situations that may disrupt GPS operations and pose risk to enterprise reputation and stakeholder relationships.
✅ Direct internal and external communication workstreams with agency partners in a collaborative manner.
✅ Actively pursue and participate in professional development opportunities as part of a continual improvement culture.
✅ Work collaboratively with colleagues to promote a high-performance culture that drives enterprise objectives, emphasizing accountability for results.
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong project management skills to manage multiple workstreams and meet tight deadlines.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in journalism, communications, public relations, or a related field.
Experience: Approximately 4 to 5 years of communications experience in the pharmaceutical, life sciences or related industries is preferred, or a combination of professional experience that provides an equivalent career foundation in a large organization or agency setting.
Required Skills:
- Ability to interact effectively with colleagues at all levels of the company across a matrixed organization.
- Ability to effectively counsel senior leaders.
- Exceptional collaborative and team-building skills.
- Exceptional writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong research and analytical skills, with a keen attention to detail.
- Ability to learn the business quickly and excel in a fast-paced, challenging environment.
- Self-directed with proven ability to meet tight deadlines and balance multiple initiatives with competing priorities.
- Proficiency with digital communications and effective use of social media platforms.
- Understanding of ethical generative AI use in writing and content development.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams, delegate effectively, and ensure appropriate visibility and information sharing occurs across matrixed organizations.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry.
ASSUMPTION: The required skills for this role are highly specialized and require a strong background in communications, preferably within the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 (Based on industry standards for a Senior Manager role in the pharmaceutical industry with 4-5 years of experience in New Jersey)
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Retirement savings plans with company matching.
- Tuition assistance and professional development opportunities.
- Generous time-off policies, including vacation, sick time, and holidays.
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility for occasional remote work.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications. Bristol Myers Squibb offers a comprehensive benefits package to attract and retain top talent.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Bristol Myers Squibb is a leading global biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and delivering innovative medicines for patients with serious diseases.
Company Size: With over 10,000 employees worldwide, Bristol Myers Squibb offers a large and diverse work environment with ample opportunities for career growth and development.
Founded: Bristol Myers Squibb was founded in 1887 and has a rich history of innovation and scientific excellence.
Company Description:
- Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to transforming patients' lives through science by discovering, developing, and delivering innovative medicines in critical areas, including oncology, hematology, immunology, cardiovascular disease, and fibrosis.
- The company's portfolio of approved medicines and investigational compounds includes treatments for a broad range of diseases, and its scientific approach is grounded in advanced research and data analytics.
- Bristol Myers Squibb also promotes health equity and seeks to improve health outcomes of populations disproportionately affected by serious diseases and conditions through the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation.
Company Specialties:
- Biotechnology
- Innovation
- Great place to work
- Pharmaceuticals
- Research and development
- Healthcare
Company Website: www.bms.com
ASSUMPTION: Bristol Myers Squibb is a well-established and reputable company in the pharmaceutical industry, with a strong commitment to innovation, scientific excellence, and improving patients' lives.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior Manager
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Director, Integrated Communications.
Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with occasional flexibility for remote work.
Growth Opportunities:
- Advancement to a Director-level role within the Communications department.
- Expansion of responsibilities to include additional functions or regions.
- Transition to a different role within the company, such as a product development or operations role, leveraging the skills and experience gained in this position.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within the Communications department and the broader organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Bristol Myers Squibb's offices are modern, collaborative workspaces designed to foster innovation and productivity.
Office Location(s): Madison and Summit, New Jersey, United States
Geographic Context:
- Madison and Summit are both located in New Jersey, approximately 20 miles west of New York City.
- The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with a variety of cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities.
- Both locations are easily accessible by public transportation and major highways.
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility for occasional remote work.
ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Bristol Myers Squibb is collaborative, innovative, and focused on driving enterprise objectives. The company offers a high-performance culture that emphasizes accountability for results.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume submission.
- Phone or video screening with a member of the HR team.
- In-depth phone or video interview with the hiring manager and/or other team members.
- On-site or virtual final interview with senior leadership.
- Background check and offer extension.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Ability to manage multiple workstreams and meet tight deadlines.
- Understanding of the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry and relevant business trends.
- Cultural fit with the company's values and work environment.
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Demonstrate your understanding of the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry and the company's mission and values.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your communication skills, project management abilities, and industry knowledge.
- Research the company and its competitors to show your enthusiasm and preparation for the role.
ATS Keywords: Strategic communications, media relations, issues management, project management, matrixed organization, professional development, high-performance culture, pharmaceutical industry, life sciences, on-site, remote work, collaboration, team-building, writing, presentation, interpersonal communication, research, analysis, attention to detail, digital communications, social media, generative AI, Bristol Myers Squibb
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their qualifications and fit for the position through a thorough interview process.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
- Social media platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook)
- Generative AI tools (e.g., Copy.ai, Frase.io)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for the communications industry and can be learned or improved upon with relevant experience and training.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Passion: We are driven by a deep desire to help patients prevail over serious disease.
- Innovation: We embrace a culture of curiosity and continuous learning to push the boundaries of what's possible.
- Urgency: We act with a sense of purpose and a bias towards action to drive meaningful outcomes.
- Accountability: We take personal responsibility for our work and hold ourselves and each other to the highest standards.
- Inclusion: We foster an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and has the opportunity to grow and thrive.
- Integrity: We conduct our business with honesty, transparency, and fairness, always putting patients first.
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with a focus on driving enterprise objectives.
- Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong project management skills.
- Adaptable and responsive to changing priorities and deadlines.
- Proactive and self-directed, with a strong sense of ownership for one's work.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Bristol Myers Squibb's value of passion, and how have you demonstrated this in your previous roles?
- How do you approach working in a matrixed organization, and how have you ensured appropriate visibility and information sharing in previous roles?
- How do you balance multiple initiatives with competing priorities, and how have you ensured the successful completion of projects within tight deadlines?
ASSUMPTION: Bristol Myers Squibb values a high-performance culture that emphasizes accountability for results, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their fit with the company's values and work style.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role requires a high degree of autonomy and may involve managing multiple workstreams with competing priorities and tight deadlines.
- The pharmaceutical or life sciences industry is dynamic and fast-paced, with constant changes in regulations, market trends, and competitive landscape.
- The role may involve managing issues and special situations that pose risk to the enterprise reputation and stakeholder relationships, requiring strong crisis communication skills.
- The work environment may be demanding, with long hours and tight deadlines during peak periods.
ASSUMPTION: The role presents unique challenges that require strong communication skills, project management abilities, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on strategic communications for Cell Therapy Development and Operations and Product Development, with a broad scope of responsibilities and a high degree of autonomy.
- Compared to other communications roles in the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry, this position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of product development, operations, and communications.
- Career paths for this role may include advancement to a Director-level role within the Communications department, expansion of responsibilities to include additional functions or regions, or transition to a different role within the company, such as a product development or operations role.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to gain experience in a specialized area of the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry and develop a diverse skill set that can be applied to a variety of career paths.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a strategic communications plan to launch a new cell therapy product, including media relations, employee communications, and external stakeholder engagement.
- Managing a crisis communication situation related to a product recall or safety alert, requiring swift and effective response to protect the company's reputation and ensure patient safety.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop and implement a comprehensive internal communications plan to support a major organizational restructuring or merger and acquisition.
ASSUMPTION: The projects associated with this role are complex and multifaceted, requiring strong communication skills, project management abilities, and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the broader communications strategy for the company, and how will my work contribute to the company's overall objectives?
- What are the most pressing challenges facing the Cell Therapy Development and Operations and Product Development functions, and how can strategic communications initiatives help address these issues?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its employees, and what opportunities exist for growth and advancement within the Communications department and the broader organization?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does this role fit into that framework?
- How does the company foster a culture of inclusion and diversity, and what initiatives are in place to support employees from underrepresented backgrounds?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and your commitment to understanding the company's culture and values.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
