Associate Director, Communications (Finance, Strategy & Growth)

Role Summary

Associate Director, Communications (Finance, Strategy & Growth) based in East Hanover, NJ with a requirement to be on-site 3 days per week. Focuses on shaping how Novartis communicates its innovation, performance, and value creation story to financial media, internal teams, and other key stakeholders by developing and executing integrated communication strategies at the intersection of strategy, finance, and communications.

Responsibilities

• Planning and Execution
  • Develop and implement communication plans that highlight the growth strategy and performance to the financial community on deal announcements, quarterly earnings, and between reporting cycles.
  • Conduct ongoing audience research using traditional and AI tools to understand key stakeholders, including financial media, investors, and potential partners.
  • Write and develop materials that convey key messages to internal and external audiences; align messaging across Finance, Strategy & Growth, and Corporate Affairs.
  • Support budget planning, tracking, and vendor management systems with the Global Head of Finance, Strategy and Growth Communications.
• 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 robust media operations infrastructure for material development, distribution, internal reviews, media relations, and vendor management.
  • Coordinate inquiries from the media relations mailbox to ensure timely responses and engagement with reporters.
  • Help align colleagues around purpose, strategy, and objectives through internal communications.
  • Lead execution of internal and external executive appearances, video tapings, interviews, town halls; manage logistics, briefing documents, and speaker preparation.
• Insights & Strategy
  • Track perceptions of the company by financial media and business development communities to understand drivers and mitigate issues.
  • Use data and insights to inform messaging and strategy; pursue iterative, measurable experimentation.
  • Monitor media sentiment, social media engagement, stakeholder perceptions, and other KPIs.
• Project & Vendor Management
  • Coordinate logistics, vendor management, and budget planning/tracking for communication initiatives.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor’s degree; 7+ years of experience in communications with working knowledge of finance and business development communications; strong social media strategy, planning, and execution skills; analytical ability to interpret data and insights; proficiency with technology, AI, and common platforms (e.g., Notified, Meltwater, Commetric, ChatGPT).
• Preferred: Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field; advanced degree; demonstrated success implementing financial and business development communication strategies; experience with financial communications or M&A; crisis and issues management experience.