Associate Director, Communications; Finance, Strategy

Job Description Summary

Are you passionate about communication that builds reputations and drives business results? Join our Finance, Strategy & Growth Communications team to help shape how Novartis tells its innovation, performance, and value creation story to key stakeholders—from financial media to internal teams. This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of strategy, finance and communications in a global healthcare leader.

As the Associate Director, Communications, you will develop and execute integrated communication strategies, utilizing real-time data, to position Novartis as an innovative leader that is reimagining medicine and delivering strong operational performance. Manage communication planning, messaging and logistics around business development transactions, quarterly earnings, key milestones, industry events and other proactive storytelling opportunities. Support the Global Head of Finance, Strategy & Growth Communications in engaging and aligning associates on the Finance and Strategy & Growth teams about the roles they play in achieving our overall purpose for patients.

Please note this role is based in our East Hanover, NJ office and requires 3x/week presence. Please only apply if this works for you.

• Planning and Execution
  • Develop and implement communication plans that highlight the Novartis growth strategy and performance to the financial community on deal announcements, quarterly earnings and between reporting cycles.
  • Manage ongoing research using traditional and AI tools to develop a deep understanding of key audiences and stakeholders, including financial media, investors and potential business partners.
  • Write and develop materials that effectively convey key messages to internal and external stakeholders. Partner across Finance, Strategy & Growth, and Corporate Affairs organizations to align messaging.
  • Work with the Global Head of Finance, Strategy and Growth Communications to support the group’s budget planning, tracking and vendor management systems.
• External and Internal Communications
  • Support media relations activities, including financial media and business development storytelling.
  • Assist with deal announcements, quarterly earnings and proactive media pitching opportunities.
  • Ensure a robust media operations infrastructure in terms of material development, distribution, internal reviews, media relations, vendor management, etc.
  • Coordinate and respond to inquiries from the Novartis media relations mailbox to ensure timely responses and engagement with reporters.
  • Help align Novartis colleagues around our purpose, strategy and objectives through internal communications.
  • Lead execution of internal and external executive appearances, video tapings, interviews, town halls, etc.; manage logistics, briefing documents and speaker preparation.
• Insights & Strategy
  • Continuously track perceptions of Novartis by the financial media and business development communities to understand their drivers and mitigate potential issues.
  • Exemplify a predictive mindset; seek multidirectional insights to understand our environments and stakeholders and embrace iterative, measurable experimentation and action.
  • Monitor media sentiment, social media engagement, stakeholder perceptions and other key performance indicators.
  • Use data and insights to inform messaging and strategy.
• Project & Vendor Management
  • Coordinate logistics, vendor management, budget planning and tracking for communication initiatives.

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 7+ years of experience in communications, with working knowledge of finance and business development communications
• Social media strategy, planning and execution skills
• Analytical skills to interpret data and insights that support decision-making
• Savvy with technology, AI and common communication platforms, e.g., Notified, Meltwater, Commetric, ChatGPT, etc.

• Degree area in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field preferred; advanced degree a plus
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to the implementation of successful financial and business development communication strategies.
• E…