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 commencement of employment may vary based on several factors including but not limited to relevant experience, skill set, qualifications, education (including applicable licenses and certifications, job-based knowledge, location, and other business and organizational needs.

The listed salary is just one component of the overall compensation package. At Kyowa Kirin North America we provide a comprehensive range of benefits including:

• 401K with company match
• Discretionary Profit Share
• Annual Bonus Program (Sales Bonus for Sales Jobs)
• Generous PTO and Holiday Schedule which includes Summer and Winter Shut-Downs, Sick Days and, Volunteer Days
• Healthcare Benefits (Medical, Dental, Prescription Drugs and Vision)
• HSA & FSA Programs
• Well-Being and Work/Life Programs
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Concierge Services
• Long Term Incentive Program (subject to job level and performance)
• Pet Insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Referral Awards

The compensation and benefits information set forth in this posting applies to candidates hired in the United States. Candidates hired outside the United States will be eligible for compensation and benefits in accordance with their local market.

KKNA and all of its employees have an obligation to act in accordance with the law and with integrity in all our operations and interactions

It is the policy of Kyowa Kirin North America, Inc. to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, religion, creed, color, pregnancy, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or affection preference or citizenship status or any other category protected by law.

When you apply to a job on this site, the personal data contained in your application will be collected and stored by Kyowa Kirin, Inc. (“Controller”), which is located at 510 Carnegie Center Dr. Princeton, NJ 08540 USA and can be contacted by emailing kkus.talentacquisition.8h@kyowakirin.com. Controller’s data protection officer can be contacted at usprivacyoffice@kyowakirin.com. Your personal data will be processed for the purposes of managing Controller’s recruitment related activities, which include setting up and conducting interviews and tests for applicants, evaluating and assessing the results thereto, and as is otherwise needed in the recruitment and hiring processes. Such processing is legally permissible under Art. 6(1)(f) of General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”) as necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the Controller, which are the solicitation, evaluation, and selection of applicants for employment. 

Your personal data will be shared with Greenhouse Software, Inc., a cloud services provider located in the United States of America and engaged by Controller to help manage its recruitment and hiring process on Controller’s behalf. Accordingly, if you are located outside of the United States, your personal data will be transferred to the United States once you submit it through this site. The transfer will be made using appropriate additional safeguards under the standard contractual clauses approved by regulators for transfers of personal data outside the European Union.

Your personal data will be retained by Controller as long as Controller determines it is necessary to evaluate your application for employment.  Under the GDPR, if you are located in the European Union, you have the right to request access to your personal data, to request that your personal data be rectified or erased, and to request that processing of your personal data be restricted. You also have the right to data portability, and to lodge a complaint with an EU supervisory authority. If you have any questions about our use of your data, you may contact us by email at usprivacyoffice@kyowakirin.com.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies

Kyowa Kirin does not accept agency resumes unless contacted directly by internal Kyowa Kirin Talent Acquisition. Please do not forward resumes to Kyowa Kirin employees or any other company location; Kyowa Kirin is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

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