Associate Director, Medical and Scientific Communications

Job Overview

We are currently seeking a dynamic, highly motivated, and experienced individual for the position of Associate Director, Medical and Scientific Communications. The Associate Director, Medical and Scientific Communications is a key member of the Medical and Scientific Communications team and is also core member of the therapeutic area team within the Medical Affairs organization. This individual manages scientific communications that support the Medical Affairs objectives and enhance the understanding among health care practitioners. This individual will have oversight for scientific communications and publications, overseeing the project review process, developing and updating internal reports (weekly/monthly and ad hoc), and coordinating projects.

The Associate Director, Medical and Scientific Communications will: 1) provide strategic support for the planning and development of abstracts, posters, and manuscripts including the publication plan development and maintenance; 2) have comprehensive knowledge of the status and timelines for all tactics and communicate that knowledge to team members; 3) communicate effectively and thoughtfully with colleagues, partners, clients, vendors, and key opinion leaders; and 4) take a proactive approach to problem-solving to complete projects according to predetermined timelines and react efficiently to changing priorities. This position requires engagement cross functionally. The individual will lead, plan, create, manage, and execute the development of key activities including medical backgrounders, slide decks, field medical tools and other resources that communicate externally important scientific information to the medical and scientific community. The person in this role will be able to identify potential timeline issues and will implement solutions. The individual will be able to manage multiple projects as well as external vendor(s) assisting with medical content/publications planning and execution.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides vendor management timeline and communication oversight for publication projects (abstracts, posters, oral presentations, and manuscripts) for assigned product(s) and therapeutic area.
• Monitors and ensures compliance with: a. Corporate Policies and procedures b. External guidelines and regulatory bodies such as FDA and ICMJE guidelines, GPP3 c. Project-specific society or journal guidelines d. Local or regional laws, regulations or guidelines
• Leads review and approval of scientific publishing projects
• Works with the publication planning team to develop and execute publication plan
• Oversees the ongoing management of the Scientific Platform for assigned compound.
• Develops and maintains relationships with external authors through engagement with ongoing publication activities, including congress presentation slide reviews for symposia or other activities such as poster sessions and receptions.
• Establishes, maintains, and expands business relationships with all functional areas collaborating on projects.
• Provides strategic and tactical support necessary to achieve execution of projects.  Complies with appropriate conventions, proper grammar usage, and correct format requirements per journal/congress, following applicable divisional guidelines, templates, and SOPs
• Holds self and team members accountable to agreed-upon project dates and negotiates with functional areas on project outcomes and deliverables to meet conflicting demands (time, deliverables, etc.). Advises teams regarding compliance with scientific publications as defined in journal/congress guidelines and editorial standards.
• Leads, plans, and executes the creation of medical materials for external use. The individual will be able to manage projects as well as a vendor.
• Attends product and therapeutic area key congresses from a booth materials standpoint
• The individual will be able to manage multiple projects as well as a vendor.

Key Core Competencies

• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Flexible, with positive attitude, strong ability to multi-task, prioritize projects effectively and communicate at all levels within the company
• Effective attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy
• Ability to identify key issues; creatively and strategically overcome challenges or obstacles
• High level of integrity, confidentially, and accountability
• The confidence to contribute quickly combined with the sense to ask questions when necessary
• Sound analytical thinking, planning, prioritization, and execution skills
• Ability to stay calm and focused when up against tough deadlines.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
• Advanced scientific/healthcare degree required (PharmD, PhD)
• Minimum 5-7 years of pharmaceutical industry-based publication planning, and execution experience required
• Experience in project management
• Project management training
• Experience with scientific peer-reviewed publications, global medical communications, and industry publication best practices
• Experience in vendor management
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategically, drive performance, build alignment, inform, negotiate and collaborate
• Knowledge of pharmaceutical industry laws, regulations, and guidelines regarding publications
• Experience with PubsHub electronic project management software, or database management preferred

Ability to travel up to 15%

The base salary range for this role is $148,800 to $186,000.  Base salary is part of our total rewards package which also includes the opportunity for merit-based salary increases, short incentive plan participation, eligibility for our 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances and leaves provided in line with your work state.  Our robust time-off policy includes flexible paid time off, 11 paid holidays plus additional time off for a shut-down period during the last week of December, 80 hours of paid sick time upon hire and each year thereafter.  Total compensation, including base salary to be offered, will depend on elements unique to each candidate, including candidate experience, skills, education and other factors permitted by law.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Confidential Data: All information (written, verbal, electronic, etc.) that an employee encounters is considered confidential.

Compliance: Achieve and maintain Compliance with all applicable regulatory, legal and operational rules and procedures, by ensuring that all plans and activities for and on behalf of Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) and affiliates are carried out with the "best" industry practices and the highest ethical standards.

Mental/Physical Requirements: Fast paced environment handling multiple demands. Must be able to exercise appropriate judgment as necessary. Requires a high level of initiative and independence. Excellent written and oral communication skills required. Requires ability to use a personal computer for extended periods of time.

Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.