Director, Product and Therapeutic Communications

Kyowa Kirin is a fast-growing global specialty pharmaceutical company that applies state-of-the-art biotechnologies to discover and deliver novel medicines in four disease areas: bone and mineral; intractable hematologic; hematology oncology; and rare disease.  A Japan-based company, our goal is to translate science into smiles by delivering therapies where no adequate treatments currently exist, working from drug discovery to product development and commercialization. In North America, we are headquartered in Princeton, NJ, with offices in California, North Carolina, and Mississauga, Ontario.

***Please note this is not a remote role. Candidate will be expected to be in the Princeton, NJ office twice weekly.

Summary of Job:

The Director, Product and Therapeutic Communications is a member of the Communications Department and is responsible for efforts specific to the company’s North American portfolio of products, pipeline, and related non-branded activities.

This role is responsible for leading planning and executing creative communications plans, campaigns, and activities for our investigational and on-market medicines to patients, HCPs, and other key audiences. This individual works at a senior level with marketing and brand teams across product franchises. Key activities include the implementation of communications and public relations plans in support of clinical data and regulatory milestones and unbranded disease education and awareness.

Essential Functions:

• Leads and executes creative, engaging, and timely comprehensive communications and campaigns that build awareness and understanding for the company’s U.S. and Canadian in-line commercial products (branded/unbranded) and late-stage pipeline candidates. This includes activities surrounding key data and regulatory milestones, product launches, medical meetings, disease education and awareness, and issues management.
• Partners closely with cross-functional U.S. and Global teams (R&D, medical affairs, regulatory, marketing, market access, and communications colleagues) to create effective communications programs aligned with business priorities.
• Understands consumer and KOL insights/trends, including opportunities and potential challenges in the rare diseases/oncology/dermatology to inform and shape forward-thinking communications plans.
• Create key communications materials (i.e., press releases, standby statements, Q&A, key messages, narratives, website and social media content). Leads review and approval processes of communications materials.
• Leverages deep understanding of the therapeutic landscape to create narratives that resonate with diverse audiences, including patients, healthcare professionals and payers.
• Establishes and strengthens relationships with healthcare and business journalists through deep domain expertise of the healthcare media landscape.
• Partners with the Director, Corporate Communications to ensure holistic execution of communications plans and content across internal and external company channels to deliver cohesive narratives.
• Act as a project manager on assigned projects; coordinate with vendors; manages budgets.
• Provides oversight of PR agency, helping to ensure high-quality deliverables that are both on time and on budget.

Job Requirements:

Education

Bachelor’s Degree required. Communications/Public Relations, Journalism or related field preferred.

Experience

At least 10 years of experience in product and or R&D communications at pharmaceutical or biotech company and/or healthcare-focused public relations firm. Experience working on FDA approvals and new product launches.

Skills and Competencies

• Comfortable translating complex medical and science-based content into clear, engaging communications for diverse audiences.
• Strong communicator who can leverage insights/trends into strategic communications plans.
• Ability to work collaboratively across functions, departments, and divisions within a matrixed structure to achieve business results.
• A record of success and experience in advising and influencing executive-level leaders.
• Thinks strategically and executes at an elevated level to support our fast-moving and evolving organization.
• Results focused and regularly considers measurement to drive communications effectiveness.
• Self-starter who manages ambiguity well, viewing it as an opportunity vs a challenge.

Physical Demands: Normal office environment with prolonged sitting and extensive computer work

Working Conditions: Requires up to 10% domestic and or international travel

 

The anticipated salary for this position will be $185,800 to $242,600.  The actual salary offered for this role at commence