Great mission, bad management - Director Biogen Employee Review

2.0
Jan 23, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Biogen people are smart and passionate about developing therapies to help our patients. The company's commitment to diversity and inclusion is deep and true. Pay and benefits are good, and perks like subsidized cafeteria, commuting and tuition reimbursement, etc. are a plus.

Cons

Biogen seems to be lost right now between its small biotech roots and its bigger pharma future, and management directives tug everyone in these two opposite directions daily. Internal process and decision discipline is very weak, and so most work is achieved through endless ad hoc meetings and consensus building. Work-life balance is touted as a value, but the reality is very different, especially at the middle of the organization. Those at the top are perceived as being selected based on relationship and favoritism rather than merit, and sharp-elbowed, mean-spirited bullies are too often touted as "leaders." Current market and industry pressures are exposing a lot of internal mess that wasn't as visible -- or as painful -- in easier times.

Explore other reviews about Biogen

5.0
Jun 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great team, work life balance, benefits

Cons

Random reorgs enforce some anxiety

5.0
May 21, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The benefits package is strong and competitive, which adds a lot of overall value. There are many internal departments and career paths, making it relatively easy to explore new roles and grow within the company. On-site cafeteria is a convenient and appreciated perk. Many colleagues are highly experienced and have been with the company and industry for years, making them great resources for learning and mentorship.

Cons

Promotion policies can be limiting—there seems to be an informal rule that prevents employees from being promoted more than once in a year, even for high performers. Salary could be more competitive compared to market rates. Equipment and internal systems feel outdated and could benefit from modernization to improve efficiency.

avatar
Biogen Response
1w
Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed and constructive feedback. We’re glad to hear you value our competitive benefits, diverse career paths, and the opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues, as well as perks like our on-site amenities. We also sincerely appreciate your candid input on promotion timelines, and compensation. We recognize how important it is to reward high performance, remain competitive in the market, and provide efficient tools that enable our teams to do their best work. These are areas we continue to evaluate and improve through ongoing reviews of our talent processes, compensation programs, and technology investments. Your insights and suggestions are incredibly valuable as we evolve, and we encourage you to continue sharing feedback to help us strengthen the employee experience and support long-term growth and success. Any additional feedback you can provide related to your experience is always helpful. You can do so confidentially by emailing talentfeedback@biogen.com. - Maria, HR
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All