Director, Global Scientific Communications - Hematology

The Director, Scientific Communications, Nephrology leads the successful development and implementation of global communications strategies, publications plans and medical education initiatives across the Nephrology therapeutic areas in alignment with Alexion brand and corporate strategies. The Director will chair the Nephrology TA Global Publication Team as well as engage with cross-functional partners including but not limited to research, clinical development, marketing, medical affairs and biostats. In this role, the Director will develop collaborative and productive relationships with external investigators, thought leaders and authors. These efforts will ultimately drive timely execution of publication plans and result in high-quality and impactful scientific and clinical abstracts, posters, oral presentations, manuscripts, and slide decks. Analysis and interpretation of scientific and clinical data as well as review of deliverables from cross-functional publications team members and agencies for content and key messages are central responsibilities of this role. The Director will also be responsible for the identification and supervision of medical communications agencies and may also work/oversee medical writing consultants. This position reports to the Senior Director, Global Medical Communications for Hematology & Nephrology

Principal Responsibilities

• Lead the creation of global communications strategies and publication plans for therapeutic areas within the Nephrology franchise in accordance with the existing global brand strategies
• Serve as Chair of the Global Publication Team(s) for assigned products and indication
• Lead the timely execution of publication plans to produce high quality, accurate and impactful deliverables including abstracts, posters, oral presentations, manuscripts, and slide decks
• Plan, develop and implement educational plan, including congress symposia, and other scientific programs that communicate important information to the medical and scientific community
• Establish strong collaborative relationships and work in close partnership with other members of Global Medical Communications  (Medical Information/Medical Review, Training, and Med Comms Excellence, Global Medical Affairs (HEOR,  MSLs) and key stakeholders internally (product teams, clinical teams, biostats) and externally (e.g., opinion leaders, patient advocacy groups, professional societies).
• Review publications, slide presentations and other scientific materials  for content and positioning
• Develop/update key strategic documents (Scientific Platforms), with consistent coverage of the competitive landscape.
• Develop and evolve tactical publication plans based on therapeutic area medical objectives.
• Identify, screen, manage and supervise medical communications agencies and manage financial and contractual aspects of assigned projects
• Participate in training on as well as ensure compliance with the Alexion Publication Policy and associated processes

EssentialQualifications

• Advanced degree:  PhD, PharmD, or MD
• 7-10 years of relevant experience in a Pharmaceutical company or Medical Communications agency, or at least 15 years of independent Scientific Communications / Publications consultancies for the Pharmaceutical Industry  
• Strong experience in strategic publication planning (including scientific platforms), tactical publication planning and implementation, and the planning and development of medical educational materials
• Ability to work independently to develop strategic and tactical publication plans
• Ability to rapidly develop expertise and critical knowledge in new therapeutic areas to support pipeline, investigational, and marketed projects from a strategic and tactical perspective
• Ability to interpret and organize highly complex scientific data, including experience reviewing pre-clinical and clinical trial data and output from statistical analysis programs
• Must be skilled, detail-oriented writer with demonstrated ability to critically interpret and contextualize clinical data for translation to physicians, patients and payers
• Strong success in achieving acceptance of abstracts/manuscripts into the peer-reviewed literature
• Strong working knowledge of current good publication practices, guidelines, and ethics and use of publication management systems
• Demonstrated experience in having a leadership role in designing scientific communications strategy and programs in alignment with corporate strategies
• Understanding of the clinical development process, especially clinical study and global health outcome data.
• Ability to lead teams, including medical publications agencies to plan, write and develop abstracts, posters, oral presentations, manuscripts, slide decks and content for scientific and educational programs
• Experience in working closely with KOLs and authors
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to influence without direct authority
• Demonstrated experience managing competing priorities and tight deadlines
• Ability to travel (US and International) as necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Life Science, CMPP certified
• Background in nephrology and rare diseases
• Experience in planning and implementation of formal peer-to-peer engagements (advisory boards, workshops for the planning and development of scientific publications or medical education materials)

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.