Senior Manager International Communications

About Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company focused on scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. As the company expands its pipeline, it is strengthening its reputation in the biotechnology sector.

Role Overview: Senior Manager, International Communications

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is seeking a Senior Manager, International Communications – GCC for a 12-month contract based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This role is responsible for ensuring the continuity of Vertex’s communications priorities across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, with a primary focus on Saudi Arabia. The Senior Manager will execute external and corporate communications strategies in close collaboration with international and cross-functional teams, aiming to strengthen Vertex’s corporate profile and support key business and product-related communications initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement communications plans and activities across the GCC, with a focus on Saudi Arabia, aligned with international strategy and local business priorities.
• Support external communications and media relations, including proactive media engagement and reactive communications.
• Develop communications materials such as press releases, Q&A documents, background materials, briefing documents, and spokesperson preparations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional colleagues to identify external communications opportunities and support spokesperson engagements.
• Adapt global and international communications materials for local relevance across GCC markets.
• Support the execution of locally relevant social media and digital communications activities.
• Provide stakeholder, media, and reputational insights from the GCC to inform regional and international communications planning.
• Monitor the external environment for emerging issues, opportunities, and potential reputational risks.
• Support issues preparedness, mitigation, and management in alignment with international messaging and escalation processes.
• Oversee media monitoring, insights, and reporting across the GCC, sharing relevant developments with stakeholders.
• Support congresses, events, media activities, and other external engagement opportunities.
• Coordinate and manage communications agencies supporting GCC markets, including activity delivery, timelines, and budgets.
• Support locally relevant internal communications and employee engagement activities as required.
• Ensure all communications activities comply with company policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
• Maintain alignment with International Communications and escalate significant issues or deviations promptly.
• Ensure effective handover and continuity of priority GCC communications activities at the beginning and end of the assignment.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in communications, public relations, business, science, liberal arts, or a related discipline.
• 5-10 years of professional experience in corporate communications, external communications, public relations, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology environment across the GCC, particularly in Saudi Arabia.
• Proven experience delivering external communications, media relations, and digital communications in collaboration with global or international teams.
• Knowledge of the media landscape across the GCC, particularly in Saudi Arabia, with established relationships with relevant media contacts preferred.
• Experience developing press materials, briefing documents, Q&As, executive communications, and spokesperson preparation.
• Experience in issues preparedness, reputation management, and reactive communications.
• Demonstrated ability to translate global or international strategies into locally relevant communications.
• Strong project management skills, including managing multiple projects, agencies, timelines, and budgets.
• Ability to operate independently, exercise sound judgment, and deliver high-quality work with limited direction.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Confidence in working with senior leaders, external experts, agencies, media, and other high-profile stakeholders.
• Excellent strategic thinking combined with a practical, hands-on, and execution-focused approach.
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant communications compliance requirements within a regulated pharmaceutical or biotechnology environment.
• In-house communications experience in pharmaceuticals or biotechnology, or substantial experience in a healthcare communications agency.

Work Environment

This is a contract position based in Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The role requires a hands-on and experienced communications professional capable of integrating quickly, operating independently, and managing multiple stakeholders to maintain momentum across established priorities.