Job Title: Principal Manager, Internal Communications – Research
Location: South San Francisco, CA 94080
Pay Rate: $95.00 - $100.00 per hour
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, Standard 8-Hour Shift (Hybrid: Wednesdays are mandatory anchor onsite days; remaining onsite days are negotiable. Occasional weekend work may be required in rare instances. Includes a one-week travel requirement to Monterey, CA for a team meeting).
Overview of the Job
As Principal Manager, Internal Communications within Genentech Research and Early Development (gRED), this role joins the Research Communications team to establish the foundational internal communications infrastructure that enables the Research organization to communicate with greater consistency, clarity, and impact. This position partners with Research leaders to create scalable communication frameworks, tools, governance, and approaches while leading high-profile executive communications, employee engagement programs, and major organizational events.
Primary Responsibilities
• Design and establish foundational internal communications infrastructure for Research departments, including frameworks, planning processes, governance, templates, and best-practice models.
• Partner with senior Research leaders to develop communication strategies that bring clarity to complex scientific and business priorities.
• Create repeatable, scalable communications approaches that improve consistency across the Research organization while maintaining flexibility for specific departmental needs.
• Lead executive communications, including senior leadership messaging, strategic narratives, town halls, and messaging for high-impact organizational moments.
• Direct and execute employee-focused programs and high-visibility experiences, including Research-wide meetings, leadership forums, and engagement initiatives.
• Develop comprehensive end-to-end communication plans supporting organizational priorities, scientific milestones, and employee engagement strategies.
• Gather, analyze, and interpret employee feedback and engagement metrics, translating data into actionable recommendations for executive leadership.
• Collaborate cross-functionally across gRED, Genentech, and Roche to ensure alignment with broader corporate enterprise priorities.
• Lead communications strategies surrounding organizational evolution and change management initiatives, assisting leaders to communicate with transparency and empathy.
• Continuously refine communications effectiveness using modern best practices, measurement tools, and data-driven insights.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic communications, executive positioning, leadership messaging, and employee engagement.
• Proven track record of designing communications frameworks, operating models, or foundational capabilities from the ground up in complex, matrixed settings.
• Significant experience supporting Research, scientific, or technical organizations within biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or related life science industries.
• Proven ability to establish immediate executive credibility and influence senior leadership teams.
• Exceptional project management capabilities with the ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on execution across concurrent initiatives.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving, and highly collaborative environment.
Preferred Qualifications
• Direct experience supporting organizational change, corporate transformation, or business evolution through effective change communications.
• Experience across both internal and external communications domains.
• Prior consulting or advisory experience supporting executive leadership.
• Experience designing large-scale employee engagement programs, internal conferences, or executive retreats.
• Advanced degree or academic background in life sciences or a related scientific field.
Education and Experience
• Bachelor's Degree (BA/BS) is required.
• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in internal communications within complex, matrixed corporate environments.
Interview Process
Virtual Round 1: Interview with Reporting Manager (45 minutes)
Virtual Round 2: Panel Interview (60 minutes - includes a Case Study/Writing Exercise)