Job Description

Working with Us

Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren't words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You'll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams. Take your career farther than you thought possible.

Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives.

Position Summary

The Director, External Relations - Think Tanks & Institutes will lead Bristol Myers Squibb's engagement strategy with the policy think tank and research institute community to advance federal policy priorities and promote patient access to innovative medicines. Reporting to the Senior Director of Strategic Alliances and Issue Advocacy, this role will proactively build and manage strategic relationships, shape the external policy environment, and drive advocacy efforts aligned with BMS's mission and business objectives.

This individual will serve as BMS's ambassador to the intellectual policy ecosystem, participating regularly in think tank programming, identifying emerging issues, and surfacing strategic opportunities for engagement across BMS's policy and business teams. The role requires a strategic thinker with a collaborative mindset and a passion for coalition-building across diverse policy domains.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive engagement strategy with leading think tanks and policy institutes across the ideological spectrum.
• Represent BMS at think tank events, briefings, and convenings, ensuring consistent visibility and relationship-building.
• Identify and elevate opportunities for BMS executives and policy experts to participate in thought leadership, research collaborations, and strategic dialogues.
• Monitor emerging policy trends and debates, providing actionable intelligence and issue-spotting to USPGA and HQ stakeholders.
• Position BMS as a trusted resource on key issues such as cancer care, brain health, cardiovascular, access to innovation, and healthcare delivery.
• Collaborate across internal teams to align think tank engagement with broader advocacy, business, and communications strategies.
• Ensure BMS is recognized as a credible and proactive participant in shaping the external policy environment.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in public policy, political science, communications, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in public affairs, government relations, policy engagement, or think tank relations.
• Proven success in building and sustaining relationships with policy organizations and third-party stakeholders.
• Strong generalist policy acumen with the ability to engage across a wide range of issues and connect dots between policy and business priorities.
• Exceptional communication skills-written, verbal, and interpersonal-with the ability to represent BMS credibly in external forums.
• Experience translating policy insights into strategic opportunities for corporate engagement.
• Self-starter with a collaborative mindset and a passion for intellectual engagement and coalition-building.

Bristol Myers Squibb is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, pregnancy, citizenship, marital status, gender expression, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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