Director, Media & Public Relations

Summit Therapeutics

7d • $190,000 - $230,000

About The Position

The Director of Media & Public relations will lead enterprise-level media relations and public-relations strategy for a fast-growing biotech. You will serve as a primary company spokesperson, architect integrated earned-media campaigns, and manage issues across discovery, clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones. You’ll partner tightly with Executive Leadership, Regulatory/Medical Affairs, Clinical, and IR, to develop and advance corporate and product reputation.

Requirements

• Experience: Minimum of 10+ years in media relations/public relations/corporate communications, including significant time in biopharma/biotech or a healthcare PR agency supporting biopharma.
• Domain fluency: Comfort translating preclinical/clinical/regulatory topics; familiarity with GxP, FDA/EMA milestones, payer dynamics, and scientific conferences.
• Proven spokesperson: Track record landing tier-one coverage and managing high-stakes issues.
• Leadership & collaboration: Executive presence; calm under pressure; excellent judgment; deft cross-functional coordination.
• Writing & storytelling: Crisp executive writing; strong news sense; data-driven measurement mindset.
• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Life Sciences, Journalism, or related field required.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate degree preferred

Responsibilities

• Own global media strategy: Build and execute proactive media plans (top-tier, trade, local) aligned to pipeline and corporate calendar; secure coverage for data readouts, regulatory filings/approvals, financings, collaborations, and leadership POVs.
• Spokesperson & press office: Serve as day-to-day media contact; prep executives; draft/QA press materials (Q&As, op-eds, media briefs) and oversee measurement.
• Issues communications: Lead rapid response for any potential negative feedback or public communication; run scenario planning and war-room protocols.
• Data & conference moments: Orchestrate scientific congress communications (e.g., AACR, ASCO, ESMO), and coordinate with IR regarding press releases, earnings releases, and other disclosures.
• Thought leadership: Build exec platforms across earned/owned/speaking; manage ghostwriting and social amplification (in partnership with Digital/IR).
• Agency & budget leadership: Select and manage PR agencies; negotiate SOWs; own measurement/KPIs and quarterly dashboards.
• Policy & advocacy alignment: Coordinate with Patient Advocacy to ensure media narratives support access and policy goals; anticipate external risks.
• All other duties as assigned

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director