Associate Director Global Communications

Associate Director of Global Communications will lead the global scientific communications strategy for Merz Aesthetics; the execution of communication activities around key medical affairs, research and clinical milestones; and an executive visibility program for the Chief Medical Affairs Officer.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Develop and Execute Strategy and Narrative around Merz Aesthetics Scientific Innovation:

• Data Strategy: Develop and oversee integrated worldwide and U.S. medical affairs and R&D communications strategy and science and innovation narrative across current products and pipeline
• Milestone Communication: Deliver integrated science communications strategy in collaboration with medical affairs and R&D teams to position key data and milestones aligned with company strategy
• Collaborate cross-functionally to develop and implement communications strategies to lay the groundwork for market demand for future products/brands
• Build relationships with key stakeholders, including trade media and key opinion leaders to garner positive coverage around Merz Aesthetics scientific achievements, supporting the company’s reputation and thought leadership activities as they relate to scientific communications
• Develop/communicate internal educational campaign to keep employees informed about scientific innovation; this includes guidance for employees to communicate innovation milestones and events as appropriate (e.g., on personal social channels

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Leadership:

• Manage matrix reporting relationship with a dotted line to the Chief Medical Affairs Officer
• Partner with Medical Affairs and other internal stakeholders to mine for and identify scientific innovation storytelling opportunities, congresses and engagements
• Effectively lead peers and colleagues as a project lead and in other situations where informal leadership is required
• Establish a reputation as a subject matter expert and provide strategic direction as needed throughout the global organization
• Collaborate with global and regional colleagues to develop toolkits ahead of key scientific milestones to maximize throughout their regions
• Partner with key internal stakeholders at all levels of the organization to align strategy and maximize efforts
• Play an active role in identifying and implementing processes, tools and strategies that contribute to a high-functioning team

Agency Management:

• Maintain strong partnerships with agency counterparts acting as a seamless extension of internal team to deliver scientific communication strategies and execute quality work within budget
• Proactively evaluate spending in collaboration with the Global Communications team to maximize resources across the department

Innovation:

• Build a global medical and scientific communications infrastructure and process within the organization to communicate data milestones from clinical to congress/publication
• Overview policies and processes related to HCP engagement; including adhering to and reporting of the Sunshine Act
• Define milestone thresholds for press release and other external announcements in partnership with Global Communications as well as Medical Affairs and R&D
• Stay on forefront of medical and scientific communications trends and best practices to drive industry leadership

Strategic Planning & Measurement:

• Provide direction and input for the annual strategic planning process, and ensure all plans and initiatives ladder back to the organization’s strategic imperatives
• Develop and maintain a robust research and analytics program for initiatives
• Ensure all initiatives have clearly defined key performance indicators (KPIs) that ladder back to organization goals and are sufficiently tracked to meet KPIs

Job Related Qualifications/Skills

Professional experience

Required:

• At least 7 years of communications experience
• Experience in a global or cross-region communications role
• Experience with third-party vendor management and experience working in a medical communications/health care agency
• Experience in the pharmaceutical industry with a deep understanding of data milestones such as but not limited to congress, publication and regulatory communications in a highly regulated industry

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Required:

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Capable of managing multiple projects at once with high attention to detail
• Deadline driven and capable of maintaining high quality under tight deadlines
• Strong project and time management, planning, presentation and content-development skills
• Executive presence and ability to deliver presentations in small and large groups at all organizational levels
• Strong writing and editing skills, including fact checking, researching and referencing skills
• Solutions oriented and comfortable in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

Preferred:

• Working knowledge of the medical device/pharmaceutical regulatory and compliance environment is a plus

Education

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or above in a communications-related field with experience in scientific/pharmaceutical industry