Sr. Director, Medical Communications

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Director, Medical Communications is responsible for the development of medical publications as well as the management of publication agencies/vendors and the associated budgets. This role collaborates with the therapeutic area medical director in the development of comprehensive strategic publication plans as well as scientific communication plans. The Senior Director, Medical Communications, also provides Therapeutic area oversight for publication plans and directly manages medical communication associates and/or medical writer(s) in the therapeutic area. The Senior Director, Medical Communications, is also responsible for leadership of the successful and timely implementation of publication and scientific plans within budget. He/she is responsible for aligning and coordinating publication and medical communication strategy. The Senior Director, Medical Communications, reports to the Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs.

Essential Functions

• Oversee the publication planning process for each molecule, including development of scientific platforms (as needed) and publication plans, regular cross-functional meetings to gain input and alignment, coordination with alliance partner publication functions as needed.
• Responsible for the development of a comprehensive, cross functionally aligned strategic publication plan and the delivery of the publications included in this plan, including participation in data analysis efforts, editing and preparation of publications for submission.
• Responsible for the implementation of publication strategy, identifying data gaps and working very closely with medical directors to address these data gaps.
• Oversee the communication of the publication plan to a broad set of internal stakeholders.
• Responsible for overseeing the development of abstracts, posters, oral presentations, and manuscripts from Rigel sponsored clinical trials and other Rigel sponsored research.
• Responsible for engaging external expertise (e.g. Publication Steering Committee) to advise and shape publication strategy.
• Builds and leads a high-performing, medical communications team engaged in the planning, integration and execution of medical publication activities.
• Directly manage medical communication associates and/or medical writer(s) in the therapeutic area.
• Build effective partnerships with all internal stakeholders, including medical directors, other medical communications associates, biostatistics, clinical development, medical science liaisons, medical information, and other members of the publications team.
• Establish strong working relationships with authors and other external experts.
• Foster collaborative relationships with academic and clinical experts, publishers, medical associations and other relevant external and internal stakeholders.
• Manage publication agencies/vendors to ensure deliverables are on time, within budget and of high quality prior to subsequent internal review.
• Manage all financial and contractual aspects of assigned projects, including external vendors; responsible for financial planning and management for publications and other medical communications content in the assigned therapeutic area(s).
• Ensure that all developed materials are reviewed and appropriately signed off according to Rigel SOPs and maintain archive of approved materials within the appropriate management system.
• Assist in the review of publications for medical accuracy, fair balance, and ensuring adherence to Rigel policies and good publication practice.
• Ensure all Rigel-sponsored publications are developed according to Rigel publication policy and good publication practice, including published guidelines (e.g., GPP2022, ICMJE, CONSORT).
• Interface with internal stakeholders, particularly corporate, commercial and clinical groups, as key contributor to the competitive intelligence, brand planning and long-range planning activities in therapeutic areas of relevance to the Rigel portfolio.
• Contribute substantively to the IR/PR team activities and corporate communications.
• In collaboration with key stakeholders within medical affairs, lead the medical communication strategy activities at key medical congresses, including the medical and/or therapeutic area booth panel development, other booth materials, and ensure all materials undergo appropriate medical affairs review committee assessment.
• Support development of scientific communications plans and oversee execution of tactics both internally and externally.
• Oversee establishment of publication extender strategy that maximizes the scientific impact of Rigel clinical data.
• Oversee the development and revision of Medical Science Liaison slide decks.
• Demonstrate understanding of the disease area, medical strategies and objectives necessary to provide strategic input to a broad range of stakeholders on matters related to publication planning and data dissemination/disclosure.
• Develop publication key performance indicators (KPIs) and generate analytic reports related to publication projects
• Grow department, through development of SOPs/work processes and recruitment of additional key talent when required.

Required/Preferred Education and Licenses

• Advanced scientific degree (Doctorate degree preferred: PhD, PharmD, or MD).
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in pharmaceutical medical communications / publications, medical writing, or other medical affairs scientific functions, or at a medical communications agency as a medical director and/or writer.
• Prior relevant Hematology/Oncology experience preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must have extensive experience in strategic publication planning and execution of publication plans.
• Experience in publication management required
• Strong knowledge of current good publication practices and guidelines and medical writing guidelines (e.g., GPP2022, ICMJE, CONSORT).
• Demonstrated experience interacting with and collaborating with authors and other external experts; ability to effectively interact with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in managing budgets across several projects required.
• Experience managing external agencies required.
• Prior direct management experience required.
• Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills and written communication skills.
• Understand clinical trial research, the drug development process, and GCP requirements, and have experience with reviewing clinical trial data.
• Prior medical writing experience preferred.
• Proficiency with computer programs such as MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as databases such as PubMed.
• Travel will vary, plan on 15-20%.
• Rigel requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 (subject to any legally required exemptions)

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk; sit; talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• WORK ENVIRONMENT: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by the law.