Job Information
Alexion Pharmaceuticals Senior Director, Global Scientific Communications Lead - Neurology in Boston, Massachusetts
Some opportunities happen only once in a lifetime - like a job where you have the chance to change lives. At Alexion, people living with rare and devastating diseases are our Guiding Star. We are driven to continuously innovate and create meaningful value in all we do to help patients and families fully live their best lives. We value the uniqueness and diversity of our employees and recognize that nurturing the diverse perspectives and strengths of our people translates into innovative breakthroughs for patients.
This is what you will do:
The Senior Director of Global Scientific Communications Neurology is responsible for leading the Neurology Scientific Communications team, is a member of the Global Medical Communications leadership team and reports to the Vice President of Global Medical communications within Global Medical Affairs.
In this role, the Senior Director supervises a team of Scientific Communications leads who directly oversee the development of publications, scientific platforms, symposia, and other medical communications deliverables within the various Neurology Therapeutic Areas (TAs) including: gMG, NMOSD and various portfolio pipeline TAs. Members of Research & Development, Medical Affairs, Commercial, Regulatory, Safety, GHEOR (Global Health Economic Outcomes Research), Epidemiology and Biostatistics are just some of the cross-functional stakeholders the Senior Director works with on a regular basis. In particular, the Sr Director closely partners with the Neurology Global Medical Affairs Therapeutic Area Lead (GMAL) and Medical Directors and provides strategic guidance and oversight to the Scientific Communications leads ensuring team members are integrated into the appropriate global programs teams (GPTs) / sub-teams. The Senior Director is responsible for ensuring publications and medical education activities are strategically planned, aligned to therapeutic area strategies, and successfully delivered from Phase 1 through post-approval (including Registry, HEOR and other Real-World evidence studies). The Senior Director is also accountable for ensuring that annual budgets are secured to support strategically aligned activities and that these budgets are managed in accordance with annual tactical plans.
You will be responsible for:
Supervise and direct the creation of medical communications strategies and publication plans led by the TA Scientific Communications leads in accordance with annual strategic and tactical and plans.
Ensure the team achieves timely execution of strategic publications plans and related activities and produces high quality, accurate and impactful deliverables including abstracts, posters, oral presentations, manuscripts, and slide decks.
Ensure alignment across Global, Regional and Local medical publication plans
Develop and further collaborative and productive relationships with external investigators, thought leaders and authors.
Ensure the development of Scientific platforms for each TA/ product within the Neurology portfolio
Review deliverables from direct reports and agencies for content and key communications objectives as needed/required and ensure clinical and other data are appropriately analyzed and interpreted for publications and communications activities.
Align and collaborate with the GMA TA Leads and with other cross-functional partners / stakeholders on the development of global medical communications plans including congress communications plans and activities.
Ensure strategic medical education plans are developed to support company-sponsored scientific symposia, as well as identify needs/ gaps related to Medical Education programs.
Supervise, mentor, coach, and develop direct reports as well as mentor to team members to ensure commitment to Publications Excellence and Good Publication Practices.
Establish strong collaborative relationships and work in close partnership with other members of Global Medical Communications team, the broader Global Medical Affairs team members and other key internal stakeholders (Clinical Development, Research, Commercial product teams, Biostats, Corporate Communications etc.) and externally with opinion leaders, patient advocacy groups, and professional societies.
Oversee, or if leading the program, review publications, slide presentations and other scientific materials for content and positioning.
Accountable for the overall management of medical communications agencies and for oversight of financial and contractual aspects of all TA projects.
Manage the Scientific Communications therapeutic area budget to meet the annual operating plan objectives and support regular financial forecasts within the therapeutic areas
Ensure commitment to principles of transparency and disclosure.
Ensures compliance with all internal and external publication practice guidelines and policies as well as with internal policies and best practices governing Medical Affairs activities.
Participate in updates to the Alexion Publication Policy and contribute to Alexion Publication Policy training to ensure compliance. Provide strategic guidance to cross functional stakeholder on the Alexion Publication Policy and publications guidance
You will need to have:
Advanced degree: (PhD, PharmD, or MD) or significant relevant work experience in the Pharmaceutical industry
Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in a pharmaceutical company or medical communications agency in scientific communications or similar role; background and experience in rare diseases is highly desirable.
Demonstrated people management skills and an ability to lead and motivate teams and direct reports
Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing scientific communications strategy and programs
Strong experience in strategic publication planning (including scientific platforms), tactical publication planning and implementation, and the planning and development of medical educational materials
Strong knowledge of current good publication practices and guidelines (GPP2022, GPP3, ICMJE, and other relevant guidelines)
Experience with and understanding of the clinical development process, especially clinical study and global health outcome data.
Ability to interpret and organize highly complex scientific data, including experience reviewing clinical trial data and output from statistical analysis programs
Experience in overseeing as well as hands-on experience in preparation of abstracts, posters and manuscripts, developing content for scientific and educational programs, and working closely with thought leaders and authors
Experience in working closely with clinical and registry investigators and authors
Strong scientific expertise and ability to acquire breadth of therapeutic area knowledge quickly
Background in Neurology / Neuroscience is desirable
Ability to travel (US and International) approximately 15-20% of time
The duties of this role are generally conducted in an office environment. As is typical of an office-based role, employees must be able, with or without an accommodation to: use a computer; engage in communications via phone, video, and electronic messaging; engage in problem solving and non-linear thought, analysis, and dialogue; collaborate with others; maintain general availability during standard business hours.
We would prefer for you to have:
CMPP certification preferred
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Alexion is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on serving patients and families affected by rare diseases and devastating conditions through the discovery, development and commercialization of life-changing medicines. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Alexion has offices around the globe and serves patients in more than 50 countries. Further information about Alexion can be found at: www.alexion.com .
Alexion is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging where every single person can belong because of their uniqueness. The Company will not make decisions about employment, training, compensation, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment based on race, color, religion, creed or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy, (including childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), parental status (including adoption or surrogacy), military status, protected veteran status, disability, medical condition, gender identity or expression, genetic information, mental illness or other characteristics protected by law. Alexion has taken critical steps to protect colleagues, loved ones, and patients from COVID-19 and its variants. All US-based employees must comply with Alexion's COVID-19 vaccination mandate. Alexion provides exceptions based on applicable state law as well as reasonable accommodations to meet the needs of candidates and employees. To begin an interactive dialogue with Alexion regarding a legally required exemption or accommodation, please contact accommodations@Alexion.com. Alexion participates in E-Verify.
As a leading employer in our industry, Alexion offers a highly competitive package of base and incentive compensation as well as a comprehensive benefits program designed to support the health, wellness and financial security of our employees and their families. Benefits include group medical, vision and dental coverage, group and supplemental life insurance, 401(k) with company match, tuition reimbursement, and much more.
AstraZeneca completed its acquisition of Alexion, marking the creation of Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease. If you're interested in career opportunities with AstraZeneca, click here (https://careers.astrazeneca.com/) .