Associate Director - Public Affairs and Issues Management - Global Communications

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.

The Associate Director, Public Affairs and Issues Management is a critical member of the reputation management team, responsible for helping protect and advance the company’s reputation in the context of a complex and evolving policy, political and legal landscape. The role focuses on developing and leading the execution of public affairs tactics at federal/state levels and corporate issues management activities.

This role will work closely with cross-functional colleagues in Global Communications, Global Government Affairs, Global Public Policy, Regulatory Policy, Value and Access, and Legal, as well as colleagues in different therapeutic areas. This role reports to the Associate Vice President, Public Affairs, Global Communications in Lilly’s Washington, DC office.

Are you a skilled communicator with experience navigating the complexity of a highly matrixed structure? This role will also be responsible for crafting communications content and providing strategic counsel to Lilly business partners. The ideal candidate has experience handling issues and shaping policy conversations, is a strong writer adept at advocacy communications and can work in a fast-paced environment managing multiple priorities.

Apply today and become part of the Team Lilly family!

• With a firm understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, offer communications counsel and devise public affairs tactics that ladder up to broader business objectives.
• Partner with various communications colleagues in issues management process, ensuring a consistent and principled approach to anticipating, preparing for, and managing issues.
• Work collaboratively with business partners to handle media inquiries and partner with extended communications team on story opportunities.
• Develop proactive and reactive messaging and content, including but not limited to proactive pitch emails, press releases, key messages, standby statements, Q&A, fact sheets, issue backgrounders.
• Lead preparations for media engagement, including developing reporter bios, media outlet backgrounders and targeted media lists.
• Evaluate and recommend new ideas to drive Lilly’s voice externally.
• Partner with and provide direction to external agencies and vendors, as needed.
• Use metrics to adjust tactics and content for ongoing improvement.
• Flex to support other areas of the reputation management team, as needed.

• Bachelor Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Biology or relevant field to industry
• Pharmaceutical or healthcare experience and expertise strongly preferred
• 7+ years of communications and/or strong writing experience, within corporate, public relations agency or Capitol Hill/campaign/political environments
• Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to be employed in the United States. Lilly does not anticipate providing sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B or TN status) for this employment position

• Deep understanding of biopharmaceutical industry, supply chain dynamics, public policies impacting industry and stakeholder/advocacy landscape.
• Corporate external communications, public affairs and issues management experience.
• Strong understanding of traditional media and its intersection with social and owned.
• Shown success interacting with reporters.
• Ability to work quickly and with urgency with defined timelines.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams across a matrixed organization, establishing strong working relationships.
• Superb verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Highly organized, autonomous problem solver with the ability to balance multiple tasks.
• Ability to be a flexible teammate, act quickly and meet deadlines with the highest ethical and business standards.
• Professional presence with ability to control ad-hoc issues, performing with a sense of imperativeness.
• Meticulous attention to detail, with ability to grasp and focus on the big picture.
• Project management capabilities that include process development and improvement, communications of standard processes, and measurement.

• Preference is for position to be located in Washington, DC or Indianapolis, IN. Open to discussing remote employment for right candidate. Hybrid work schedule allowed.

Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly USA, LLC and our wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively “Lilly”) are committed to help individuals with disabilities to participate in the workforce and ensure equal opportunity to compete for jobs. If you require an accommodation to submit a resume for positions at Lilly, please email Lilly Human Resources ( Lilly_Recruiting_Compliance@lists.lilly.com ) for further assistance. Please note This email address is intended for use only to request an accommodation as part of the application process. Any other correspondence will not receive a response.

Lilly is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and help our company develop talented individuals for future leadership roles. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia Network, African American Network, Chinese Culture Network, Early Career Professionals, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinos at Lilly, PRIDE (LGBTQ + Allies), Veterans Leadership Network, Women’s Network, Working and Living with Disabilities. Learn more about all of our groups.

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