Do you want to be part of an inclusive team that works to develop innovative therapies for patients? Every day, we are driven to develop and deliver innovative and effective new medicines to patients and physicians. If you want to be part of this exciting work, you belong at Astellas!

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to turning innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families. Keeping our focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conducting our business with ethics and integrity enables us to improve the health of people throughout the world. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.com .

This position is based in Northbrook, Illinois. Remote work from certain states may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines. Candidates interested in remote work are encouraged to apply.

Purpose and Scope:

• The Director Scientific Communications & Content has global scope of responsibilities accountable for the development and execution of a scientific communication platform (SCP) and central scientific content strategy for assigned Astellas products/therapeutic areas, globally. Accountable for assessing integrated medical insights from key scientific / health care landscape data and MA-led activities to identify trends and shape future scientific content strategies. Responsible for ensuring integrity, rigor and strategic alignment SCP, centralized scientific content hub, and associated omni-channel scientific communications materials that anticipates and fulfills stakeholder needs and preferences.

• This position will ensure effective cross-regional and cross-functional alignment through an engaged and collaborative approach with Senior Leaders across Astellas and will oversee effective alignment and execution of Scientific Communications & Content tactics within Core and Regional Medical Teams.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Scientific & Medical Leadership

• Leads Med Comms Product Team which includes Publication Lead, Medical Education Lead, Scientific Content Lead and Medical Information Lead

• Leads development of integrated Medical Communications Strategy and Plan incorperated in Medical Product Strategy (MPS) and Core Medical Plan (CMP) in collaboration with Med Comms Product Team.

• Provides strategic scientific & medical expertise in support of business priorities through advanced knowledge of the disease state, health care management, perspectives of external audiences, technologies / services, clinical trials methodology / outcomes / limitations and scientific evidence regarding assigned Astellas product(s).

• Responsible for applying expertise of clinical data, therapeutic guidelines and other technical advances in ensuring the integrity, rigor and compliance of all central scientific content materials and tools for assigned product(s)

• Provides strategic scientific content expertise on various commercial and medical committees

Scientific Content Strategy Leadership (incl. SCP, centralized scientific content hub and associate global materials)

• Co-leads with Commercial the timely development and execution of an integrated SCP with Medical Affairs (MA) and cross-functional stakeholders specific to assigned Astellas product(s)

• In collaboration with matrix stakeholders, drives the creation and execution of the scientific content strategy and deliverables in alignment with the Medical Product Strategy for assigned Astellas product(s)

• Accountable for the creation of central scientific content hub and associate medical materials that serves as the foundation for use by all MedComm functions and MA affiliates/regions in support of all MA-led activities that provides timely access to robust, consistent and strategically aligned content that ensures the safe and appropriate use of Astellas products

• Accountable for financial projections and budget management for Scientific Content deliverables for assigned Astellas product(s)/therapeutic area(s)

• Leads the coordination and oversight of external vendors in support of scientific content and insights projects

• Leads process documentation and improvement as applicable.

• Stays current on, anticipates, and adopts new digital technology, on-demand, and other related offerings that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of external communications activities and/or enhance the overall medical customer experience.

• Stays current on and recommends new and innovative content creation formats and approaches, including digital formats, interactive and dynamic formats, and modular content approach, etc.

• Leads the identification of key published clinical, HEOR, and real-world evidence as well as data on file for inclusion in appropriate scientific core content resources and communications.

• Leads the need identification and development of timely and impactful field medical tools and other communication approaches that are aligned with CMP customized to specific communication channels and audience types.

Integrated Medical Insights Leadership

• Leads the assessment of integrated data, insights specific to [therapeutic area] products, technologies or services, and associated health care landscape to enhance understanding of HCP needs / preferences and inform business strategy

Omni-Channel Scientific Communications Leadership

• Advances MA capabilities to orchestrate omni-channel interactions aimed at addressing the informational and educational needs of our customers (e.g. HCPs, KEE, Payors, policy makers).

• Drives digital capabilities and drive innovative communication methods that improve customer experience and ensure MA communication is timely, relevant and delivered in preferred formats/channels; ensuring that Medical Communications delivers aligned with industry standards and is an industry leader in communication delivery

Matrix Leadership

• Provides Therapeutic Area (TA) scientific communication & content expertise to Core Medical Teams and other cross-functional workstreams for the development of Core Medical Plans (CMPs) for ESMA and prioritized global products.

• Leads Scientific Core Content matrix team(s) for assigned Astellas product(s), which is a sub team of CMT

• Demonstrate excellent teamwork and partnership with Medical Communication Team members, [therapeutic area] Core Medical Team members, field medical teams, HEOR, global partners, as well as within a matrix organization.

• Collaborates effectively with MA Training group on planning and execution of internal product/TA training.

Medical Governance

• Champions high quality Scientific Content (non-promotional MA materials) through appropriate medical review processes

• Demonstrates mastery of all Astellas and alliance (if applicable) SOPs related to scientific content creation review and approval

• Liaise with Legal, Ethics & Compliance on processes and issues related to Content deliverables

• Stays current on global and local regulations and guidance that impact interactions with and delivery of medical communications to external healthcare professionals and patients

• Demonstrate accountabilities for all necessary and appropriate Astellas legal, regulatory, and compliance review of medical communication materials, , or other types of activities.

• Ensures thorough understanding of legal/regulatory/compliance/pharmaceutical requirements and guidelines with respect to applicable Medical Affairs functions in the pharmaceutical industry

Quantitative Dimensions:

• Oversees the designated ESMA and/or prioritized Astellas product’s Global Scientific Communications & Content budget (estimated $>2M USD annually)

• Demonstrates effective leadership and executive presence with both internal and external executive leaders.

• Responsible for development and maintenance of central scientific content (estimate 500+slides /year)

• Position directly impacts compliance with regulatory/safety/legal requirements of the regional regulatory agencies, regional and international pharmaceutical codes, and internal Astellas policies

• Generates and analyzes reports to further evaluate and revise strategic approach to Scientific Communications & Content activities within assigned TA.

• Accountable for meeting budget objectives, projects goals, and department priorities.

Organizational Context:

• Reports to Executive Director, Scientific Communications & Content

• Oversight of scientific content creation and delivery by Associate Director Scientific Content

• Active member of multiple cross-collaborative project teams and has extensive matrix responsibilities across broader MA organization, including a dotted reporting line of Scientific Content& Insights Excellence team members

• Member of Core Medical Team (CMT) and leads Scientific Core Content matrix team(s) for assigned Astellas product(s), which is a sub team of CMT

• Coordinates and aligns with all relevant Medical Communication representatives assigned to same product(s) to ensure strategically aligned and efficient Med Comms strategy for applicable product

• Regularly collaborates with Astellas colleagues across all levels (Senior Director, Executive Director, Vice President) including, but not limited to:

• Medical Affairs (Global and Regional): Therapeutic Areas Oncology and Specialty, HEOR, Operational Excellence

• Ethics & Compliance, Legal

• Commercial

• Patient Centricity

• AIA

• Rx + Pharmacovigilance

• Development: Therapeutic Areas Oncology and Specialty, CPED, Global Data Science, DDR

• Other: Alliance Management, Corporate Communication, Finance, Industry partners, Companies acquired by Astellas

• External Stakeholders: Vendors, Contractors

Qualifications Required

• Advanced Scientific Degree (MD, PhD, or PharmD)

• 10 years of pharmaceutical industry, or related, experience with at least 5 years of experience Medical Affairs (preferably experience in external engagement, content creation and material review)

• Outstanding interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills with exceptional time management skills are required for this highly visible position

• Strong Strategic and analytical skills required to understand/translate complex scientific and medical data from clinical and non-clinical trials into scientific materials

• Proven ability to work independently in a matrix environment with proven flexibility and organizational awareness

• Demonstrated track record of leading and executing a highly matrix environment working across a wide range of functional areas in Medical Affairs (Global and Regional), Health Outcomes, R&D, regulatory, legal and commercial teams

• Proven ability to influence and build strong cross-functional relationships with senior levels across the organization; as well as external stakeholders in leadership positions

• Knowledge of all aspects of Scientific Communications & Content responsibilities and ability to bring industry insights and trends

• Demonstrated ability to rapidly adopt and utilize new digital technology and other resources (eg. iPad, on-demand, video conferencing)

• Ability to function effectively on a strategic as well as tactical basis. Must be decisive and experience good judgement in decisions

• Demonstrates business acumen

• Proven experience in developing content strategies and creative ideas

• Demonstrated track record of managing multiple priorities, resources, programs and projects with successful outcomes

• Flexibility to travel 20% of the time, including potentially international travel

Qualifications Preferred

• Multimedia and omnichannel experience

• Ability to create digital content including using an interactive PDF format, A/V (video, podcasts, etc.) and other dynamic content

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

• Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation, Sick time, plus national holidays including Heritage Days, and Summer and Winter Breaks

• 401(k) match and annual company contribution

• Company paid life insurance

• Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions

• Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions

• Referral bonus program

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Category Medical Communications

Astellas is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.

EOE including Disability/Protected Veterans