Manager, External Affairs

Overview

Create a future where DNA is no longer destiny. Join Rocket Pharma.

 

Rocket Pharma is a fully integrated, late-stage biotechnology company advancing gene therapies with curative potential for patients with rare and life-threatening diseases. We are a team of creative, compassionate, and driven individuals united by a profound mission of seeking gene therapy cures. Rocket places tremendous value on our people and fosters a collaborative environment where bold ideas thrive and every team member makes a meaningful impact. Our core values guide everything we do: we trust one another, show generosity toward patients, embrace curiosity, and strive to elevate science. Team members receive a competitive total rewards package, including equity participation, 401(k) matching, and excellent health benefits.

Position Summary

Rocket Pharmaceuticals is seeking a highly motivated Manager, External Affairs to support the company's Investor Relations, External Communications, and Scientific Communications activities. This role will support the execution of external communications initiatives by developing high-quality written materials, coordinating cross-functional projects, supporting scientific communications, and ensuring consistent messaging across external stakeholders.

 

Working closely with the Head of External Affairs, this individual will collaborate across Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, Regulatory, Commercial, Finance, and Executive Leadership to translate complex scientific and business information into clear, accurate, and compelling communications. The ideal candidate is an exceptional writer with strong project management skills, scientific curiosity, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced biotechnology environment.

Responsibilities

Investor Relations & External Communications

• Support the development, drafting, and execution of investor and corporate communications materials, including earnings presentations, corporate presentations, press releases, executive talking points, Q&A documents, and website content
• Assist with quarterly earnings processes, investor conferences, non-deal roadshows, and other investor engagement activities.
• Maintain investor relations materials, presentation libraries, and key messaging documents to ensure consistency across external communications.
• Monitor analyst research, consensus estimates, peer activity, and industry news to support investor relations strategy and competitive intelligence.
• Assist in coordinating with Finance, Clinical Development, Regulatory, Commercial, Legal, and Executive Leadership to ensure timely and accurate external communications.

Scientific Communications

• Support the development and execution of scientific communications across Rocket's gene therapy portfolio
• Support the translation of complex clinical, scientific, and technical information into clear, compelling communications tailored to scientific, investor, patient, and general audiences.\
• Coordinate publication planning activities, author reviews, submission timelines, and congress deliverables in partnership with Medical Affairs and cross-functional teams.
• Monitor competitor publications, scientific meetings, and emerging industry developments to inform external communications and strategic positioning.
• Assist in maintaining scientific communication plans and publication trackers to support execution across multiple development programs.

Corporate Reputation & External Engagement

• Draft and support the development of communications materials supporting corporate visibility, including media statements, executive messaging, thought leadership content, digital communications, and social media.
• Support media relations activities by coordinating with external agencies, preparing background materials, and assisting with responses to media inquiries.
• Monitor media coverage, analyst commentary, and broader industry trends, providing concise summaries and to support leadership awareness.
• Support patient advocacy, public policy, corporate reputation, and stakeholder engagement initiatives in collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Contribute to content supporting Rocket's corporate brand, website, executive visibility, and external storytelling initiatives.

Cross-Functional Program Management

 

• Coordinate development of integrated communication plans supporting key corporate milestones, clinical updates, regulatory events, scientific congresses, and commercial initiatives.
• Support and coordinate multiple concurrent projects by maintaining timelines, facilitating stakeholder alignment, and helping ensure high-quality deliverables.
• Identify opportunities to improve communications processes, increase operational efficiency, and enhance collaboration across the External Affairs organization.
• Maintain the highest standards of scientific accuracy, compliance, confidentiality, and quality across all external communications.

Additional Responsibilities

 

• Support the development and maintenance of collaborative relationships across internal functions and with external partners, agencies, consultants, and vendors.
• Support special projects and strategic initiatives as needed.
• Stay current on biotechnology industry trends, emerging communications best practices, digital engagement strategies, and investor expectations.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned in support of the External Affairs organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in life sciences, communications, journalism, public relations, business, or related discipline.
• 5-8 years of relevant experience spanning investor relations, corporate communications, and/or scientific communications, ideally within biotech or pharmaceuticals.
• We encourage applicants with at least four years of relevant experience who demonstrate strong biotechnology or life sciences expertise, exceptional writing capabilities, and a record of successfully managing cross-functional communications initiatives to apply. This combination of experience and capabilities may outweigh the requirement for five years of experience.
• Excellent writer with strong project coordination skills and experience supporting multi-stakeholder workflows.
• Strong scientific writing skills and ability to interpret data for diverse audiences.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities with attention to tone, clarity, and accuracy.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced, dynamic, and collaborative environment.
• Strong analytical judgment, integrity, and discretion in managing confidential information.

Compensation

The expected salary range for this position is $120,000 to $160,000. 

 

At Rocket, our compensation philosophy and ranges are built upon data and insights collected from validated world-class providers. We are committed to compensating employees equitably based on several factors, including responsibilities and level of the position, depth and types of the employee’s experience, location of the position and availability of similar talent in a competitive market.

 

For U.S.-based candidates, this is an at-will position, and Rocket reserves the right to adjust the range at hire or during the year due to market shifts.

 

In addition to base salary, Rocket offers a competitive total rewards package that may include bonuses (short-term incentives), medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, 401(k) with company match and generous vesting, paid vacation and holidays, global shutdown days between Christmas and New Year’s, and a variety of wellness resources and employee support programs. Also, certain positions are eligible for added forms of compensation, such equity awards (long-term incentives).

EEO Statement

A diverse workforce fosters innovation and strengthens Rocket’s business. We ensure equal opportunity without discrimination or harassment in the workplace on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, citizenship, status as a protected veteran, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, and federal laws.