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Director Science Communication Jobs in Chicago, IL

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Director Science Communication information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$82.9K

$115.2K

$148.3K

How much do director science communication jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for director science communication in Chicago, IL is $115,248.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,000.00 and $128,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of science communication do?

A Director of Science Communication leads efforts to convey scientific concepts and research findings to a variety of audiences, including the public, media, policymakers, and internal stakeholders. They develop and oversee communication strategies, manage a team of communicators or writers, and ensure that complex scientific information is accurately and effectively translated for non-experts. Their role often includes media relations, public outreach, and collaboration with scientists to craft clear messaging. Additionally, they may handle crisis communications and represent their organization at public events or in the press.

How does a director of science communication typically collaborate with research teams and external stakeholders?

A Director of Science Communication works closely with research teams to translate complex scientific findings into accessible messages for various audiences. This often involves attending project meetings, reviewing research outputs, and identifying key insights to share. The role also requires building relationships with external stakeholders such as media outlets, policymakers, and community organizations to ensure the organization's scientific achievements are accurately represented and widely disseminated. Effective collaboration and communication skills are crucial, as the director often acts as a bridge between scientists and the broader public.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of science communication?

To thrive as a Director of Science Communication, you need advanced expertise in scientific disciplines, outstanding writing and presentation skills, and a relevant degree—often at the graduate level—in science or communications. Familiarity with digital communication platforms, media relations, and data visualization tools is typically required, along with experience managing communication campaigns. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to translate complex research for various audiences are vital soft skills for this role. These capabilities ensure scientific information is accurately and effectively conveyed to stakeholders and the public, promoting understanding and support for scientific initiatives.

What is the difference between Director Science Communication vs Science Writer?

AspectDirector Science CommunicationScience Writer
CredentialsAdvanced degrees in science or communication, experience in leadership rolesBachelor's or master's in science, journalism, or related fields
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, develops strategic communication plans, collaborates with stakeholdersResearches, writes, and edits scientific content for various media
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, science organizations, corporationsMedia outlets, scientific publications, freelance platforms

The main difference is that the Director Science Communication oversees communication strategies and manages teams, while the Science Writer focuses on creating scientific content. The director has a broader leadership role, whereas the writer specializes in content creation and storytelling within the science field.

What are the most commonly searched types of Science Communication jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Science Communication jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Scientific Director / Senior Medical Director, Medical Affairs - Parkinson's Disease, US

AbbVie

Mettawa, IL

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 25 days ago


AbbVie rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 101 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

16th of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

Company Description

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Job Description

The Medical Affairs organization provides patients, healthcare providers, and payers everywhere with the practical, clinically relevant information and solutions they need to use AbbVie products safely and effectively—throughout the product lifecycle and the patient's journey.

The Scientific Director / Senior Medical Director, Medical Affairs provides specialist medical and scientific expertise for a key asset for Parkinson’s Disease within AbbVie's Neuroscience portfolio, driving core strategic and operational medical affairs activities. Reporting to the Senior Scientific Director for Parkinson’s Disease, this individual operates with a degree of autonomy while partnering closely with commercial and R&D teams to shape evolving medical, brand, and value-and-access strategies that meet on-market and therapeutic area needs.

This is a high-impact role for a medically trained scientific leader who takes ownership, exercises independent scientific judgment, and thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment, navigating ambiguity and competing priorities while driving clarity across matrixed, cross-functional teams.

This position is based at our Mettawa, IL (headquarters) location following a hybrid schedule of Tuesdays-Thursdays in office.

Key Responsibilities

  • Set and drive medical affairs strategy. Independently initiate and lead core medical affairs activities—including data generation and dissemination strategy, the Medical Affairs and Brand Plan—partnering with team to ensure execution that meets on-market and therapeutic area needs.
  • Serve as the scientific interface across functions. Actively solicit expert opinion through leader interactions and coordinate scientific and medical activities with internal stakeholders (commercial, market access, HEOR, clinical operations, clinical development, and regulatory) to ensure broad cross-functional perspectives shape Clinical Development Plans and protocols—acting as the scientific team interface for key regulatory discussions.
  • Enable education and scientific communications. Support the development of scientifically accurate marketing materials, medical education programs, advisories, and symposia; provide scientific/medical education to investigators, clinical monitors, and Global Project Team members; and stay current through conferences and medical literature as a therapeutic area resource.
  • Ensure operational rigor. Ensures budgets, timelines, compliance requirements are factored into programs' scientific activities.
  • Senior Medical Director (those holding an M.D.) may provide oversight of Medical Affairs-led studies. Monitor study integrity and review, interpret, and communicate accumulating safety and efficacy data, serving as the in-house clinical expert for the molecule and disease area and coordinating scientific activities with internal stakeholders and leadership.
Qualifications

Position will be commensurate with experience.

Scientific Director Qualifications:

  • Advanced Degree PhD or PharmD.
  • Strong Medical Affairs capability (7-10 years), with a proven track record across core medical affairs activities (data generation, scientific communications, KOL engagement, and cross-functional strategy)
  • Knowledge of evidence generation strategy (real-world evidence, investigator-initiated and company-sponsored studies, registries; brand strategy development, scientific communications development, medical insights, and promotional review
  • Knowledge of clinical trial methodology, data analysis and interpretation, regulatory requirements governing clinical trials and experience in development strategy and the design of protocols.
  • Proven leadership skills in a cross-functional global team environment.
  • Must possess excellent oral and written English communication skills.

Senior Medical Director Qualifications:

  • Medical Doctorate (M.D.) degree or equivalent (D.O. or non-US equivalent of M.D). Relevant therapeutic specialty in an academic or hospital environment preferred. Completion of residency and/or fellowship is preferred.
  • Minimum of 2 years of clinical trial or medical affairs experience in the pharmaceutical industry or academia or equivalent. 3+ years of experience is preferred.
  • Knowledge of evidence generation strategy (real-world evidence, investigator-initiated and company-sponsored studies, registries; brand strategy development, scientific communications development, medical insights, and promotional review
  • Knowledge of clinical trial methodology, data analysis and interpretation, regulatory requirements governing clinical trials and experience in development strategy and the design of protocols.
  • Proven leadership skills in a cross-functional global team environment.
  • Must possess excellent oral and written English communication skills.

Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​

  • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of thisposting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location,and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. ​

  • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​

  • This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs. ​

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission,incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless anduntil paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. 

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html


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About AbbVie

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health, and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Industry

Scientific research and development services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

North Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

2013