Associate Director, Scientific Communications Rare Disease

Core Focus

Oversee the development and lifecycle management of Field Medical materials.

Create scientific content and support the execution of Medical Advisory Boards, Scientific Symposia, Medical Education initiatives, and conference-related deliverables.

Manage external Medical Communications agencies and Medical Education partners to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality, scientifically accurate materials.

Essential Functions

• Support data disclosure and scientific dissemination activities associated with clinical trial milestones and major medical congresses for U.S. Medical Affairs.
• Provide content and editorial support for regional publications and scientific presentations.
• Ensure regional publication priorities are represented in the global publication plan and support localization of global publication activities to meet regional needs.
• Collaborate with global and regional Medical Affairs teams to ensure consistency of scientific messaging and alignment with regional medical strategy.
• Partner with external medical communications agencies and vendors to manage the quality, timelines, and budgets of scientific communications deliverables.
• Support external expert engagement and steering committee activities, including coordination of content review and approval workflows.
• Support scientific and medical operations, including advisory board planning and execution, medical information initiatives, and MSL training.
• Represent Medical Affairs at Medical Review Committee (MRC) and Promotional Review Committee (PRC) meetings, as needed, ensuring materials are scientifically accurate, current, appropriately substantiated, and properly referenced.
• Ensure all scientific communications activities are conducted in compliance with applicable SOPs, policies, regulatory requirements, ICMJE recommendations, Good Publication Practice (GPP) guidelines, and company compliance standards.

Job Requirements

• Advanced degrees in life sciences, health sciences, pharmacy, medicine, nursing, or a related scientific discipline (MD, PharmD, PhD, DNP, or equivalent).
• Minimum of seven (7) years in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical communications industry within Medical Affairs or Scientific Communications.
• Minimum of three (3) years supporting Scientific Communications, Publications, or Medical Communications functions.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing scientific communication initiatives, including field medical materials, advisory boards, scientific symposia, medical education programs, publications, and congress deliverables.
• Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders and manage external medical communications agencies and vendors to deliver high-quality scientific materials.
• Rare Disease experience is strongly preferred.

Technical Skills

• Working knowledge of scientific communications, publication planning, Good Publication Practice (GPP) guidelines, International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) recommendations, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex scientific information to diverse internal and external audiences and facilitate cross-functional collaboration.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint.
• Skilled in using Veeva Vault MedComms, Veeva PromoMats, publication management systems, and other platforms supporting scientific content development, review, approval, and distribution.
• Strong scientific writing, editing, literature evaluation, and content development skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific information into clear, accurate, audience-appropriate materials.
• Ability to leverage AI-enabled tools and platforms to support scientific content development, literature synthesis, data visualization, and operational efficiency while ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work within established timelines.

Non-Technical Skills

• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage/prioritize multiple projects from concept to completion in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work well in cross-functional teams (across geography and culture) with a group of people with diverse skill sets and personalities.
• Team player, flexible and adaptable.
• Ability to build good working relationships, both inside and outside the organization.
• Self-starter.
• Must possess integrity and be innovative in how they work on a day-by-day basis.
• Has a passion for personal learning and development to be able to grow with the company.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to develop consensus within a multinational organization.