Job Description
Job Summary
The Senior Director, Medical Communications, Nephrology & Immunology directs and provides strategic leadership for the global scientific communication strategy for the assigned Nephrology & Immunology therapeutic area and product portfolio. This includes directing the development and dissemination of all core scientific and medical content (e.g., global slide decks, congress abstracts/presentations, publications, medical information, and medical education materials) to ensure scientific accuracy, consistency, and alignment with the overall Nephrology & Immunology Medical Affairs strategy.
The role is a key leadership position within the Nephrology & Immunology Unit (BU) Medical Affairs team, influencing and engaging internal stakeholders, external experts, and the broader scientific community. The role reports directly into the Executive Director, Nephrology & Immunology Business Unit Lead.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities:
Global Scientific Communication Strategy
- Define, direct, and oversee a comprehensive medical communications strategy and tactical plan for the Nephrology & Immunology portfolio aligned to the overall medical strategy (developed by the medical strategy team)
- Collaborate with the Nephrology & Immunology BU Lead and cross-functional teams (e.g., Global Integrated Evidence & Innovation, Clinical Development, Regulatory, Commercial) to ensure global and US alignment
- Shape the scientific narrative for the therapeutic area, ensuring consistency across publications, congresses, and external engagements
- Drive innovation in how scientific data is communicated, including digital transformation and real-time engagement models
Content Development Oversight
- Provide executive oversight for and ensure the strategic alignment of all Nephrology & Immunology medical affairs communication materials, including but not limited to
- Scientific Communications Platform (SCP)
- Global Publications Strategy
- Global Medical Publications Plan
- Core Disease State Deck
- Core Field Materials
- Medical Publications
- Integrated Medical Communications Planning
- New Data Reporting
- Medical Information Content Generation
Publications Strategy
- Direct strategic vision and ensure execution of the global publication plan for Nephrology & Immunology assets, ensuring successful presentation of clinical data at major international congresses and in peer-reviewed journals
- Direct agency and vendor relationships to deliver publication deliverables
Congress Planning
- Set strategic priorities for congress participation and direct the planning and execution of Medical Affairs activities at major scientific congresses (e.g., booth content, symposia, internal debriefs)
- Ensure coordinated scientific communication objectives and cross-functional alignment in close collaboration with Medical Excellence & Operations (ME&O) roles
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Act as a thought leader and senior advisor on core Nephrology & Immunology team meetings, aligning communication plans with Nephrology & Immunology BU Medical Strategy and influencing enterprise-wide decisions
- Partner closely with the Global Field Medical Affairs Lead to ensure the global field medical team is equipped with scientifically accurate, consistent, and compliant content aligned to US strategy
- Support launch readiness for new indications or pipeline assets, including data dissemination and stakeholder education
- Ensure all communication activities adhere to relevant company SOPs, GPP (Good Publication Practices), ICMJE guidelines, and global regulatory/legal requirements, establishing governance frameworks to ensure compliance across the function
- Consider technology and AI to support workflow improvement
- Manage and mentor a team of medical writers and communication professionals, fostering excellence, innovation, and continuous development.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
- Advanced scientific degree is required (PharmD, MD, PhD, or equivalent) with a strong understanding of clinical development and medical science, preferably in a Nephrology & Immunology related field
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in Medical Affairs, Medical Communications, or Publication Planning within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience directing, developing, and providing executive leadership to a team of direct reports within a global communications function
- Demonstrated track record of defining and directing enterprise-level global communication strategies for late-stage assets and an emerging portfolio, preferably in Nephrology & Immunology therapeutic areas
- Proven experience in managing complex budgets, directing large-scale initiatives, shaping workforce planning, and managing agency and vendor relationships on a global scale
- Previous experience overseeing or leading medical information groups is a plus
Skills and Competencies:
- Strong ability to present to executive leadership team
- Strong leadership and delegation skills, ability to manage performance, and foster a culture of scientific excellence and accountability at the departmental and cross-functional level
- Superior skills in translating long-term business and clinical goals into actionable, measurable, and integrated medical communication strategies that influence enterprise-level decision-making
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, set clear priorities, and direct organizational processes to ensure operational excellence across varied functional responsibilities (publications, content, congress)
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and align senior leadership on complex scientific and strategic priorities while engaging cross-functional partners
- Knowledge of digital platforms and tools for medical content delivery and engagement
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