Executive Director, Scientific Communications

Role Overview

This senior leadership opportunity is based in the United States and sits within a partner organization that oversees the recruitment process and all subsequent hiring steps. The role is centered on building and directing the global scientific communications approach for a broad biopharmaceutical portfolio with multiple assets. It is designed for a leader who can turn complex scientific data into clear, aligned, and high-impact narratives across publications, medical education, and congress initiatives.

The position works across Medical Affairs, Research & Development, and Commercial functions to ensure scientific messaging supports pipeline timing, regulatory direction, and lifecycle goals. It also establishes enterprise-level governance and communication infrastructure that can scale across current and future therapies. The environment is fast-moving, highly collaborative, and purpose-driven, with a strong focus on improving outcomes in rare diseases.

Key Accountabilities

• Set the global strategy for scientific communications and bring publications, medical education, and congress planning together into one portfolio-wide framework aligned with Medical Affairs priorities.
• Build and maintain a multi-year communications roadmap tied to pipeline progress, regulatory milestones, label expansion plans, and evidence-generation objectives.
• Create clear, consistent scientific messaging across therapeutic areas, indications, and products by defining enterprise-wide standards for communication.
• Provide strategic ownership for publication planning, medical education activities, and congress participation so each effort supports broader scientific and clinical goals.
• Direct the development, review, version control, and reuse of scientific materials to improve consistency, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Manage the scientific communications budget, including financial forecasting, planning, and tracking for publications, education programs, congress work, and agency support.
• Coordinate closely with R&D, Regulatory, Biometrics, Market Access, and Commercial teams to ensure scientific data is shared in a timely and strategically aligned way.
• Advance new approaches to scientific communications, including digital distribution tactics and responsible use of AI-supported content workflows.
• Work with external scientific stakeholders such as key opinion leaders and academic partners to strengthen publication planning and congress programming.
• Lead, coach, and grow the Scientific Communications team, with accountability for performance management, succession planning, and capability building.

Requirements

• A doctorate-level qualification such as PharmD, PhD, or MD in a life sciences field; an equivalent mix of advanced education and experience may also be accepted.
• At least 12 years of experience in scientific communications and/or Medical Affairs, including leadership across multiple assets at the portfolio level.
• Strong command of publication strategy, medical education, and congress planning within biotech or pharmaceutical settings.
• Solid understanding of global drug development, regulatory pathways, and evidence-generation strategy, preferably in rare disease or specialty care.
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver enterprise-scale scientific communication plans in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams within a matrixed global organization.
• Excellent collaboration and influence skills, especially when working with senior leaders and outside scientific partners.
• Experience engaging key opinion leaders and academic communities in advisory, publication, or similar scientific roles.
• Strong strategic judgment, organization, and project management skills with careful attention to detail and scientific accuracy.
• Willingness to travel about 30% domestically and internationally, including onsite collaboration when needed.

Benefits

• Competitive executive pay package with base salary, annual incentive opportunity, and long-term equity awards.
• Health coverage that includes medical, dental, and vision plans for employees and eligible dependents.
• Retirement savings plan with employer matching contributions.
• Generous paid time off plus flexible working arrangements to support balance and well-being.
• Life insurance, disability coverage, and other financial protection benefits.
• Employee wellness initiatives and mental health support resources.
• Strong focus on professional development and leadership advancement.
• Opportunity to influence a global scientific communications strategy in a mission-led rare disease organization.

Additional Information

This opportunity is presented on behalf of a partner company that handles applications and the remaining hiring process directly. The role is intended to support a mission-driven organization focused on rare diseases.

Data Privacy and Hiring Process Notice

Applications are reviewed through an AI-assisted matching process designed to compare candidates against the role’s core requirements in a quick, fair, and objective way. Applications that best fit the profile are forwarded to the hiring company, while interviews, assessments, and final next steps are managed by that company’s internal hiring team.

By applying, you acknowledge that your personal data may be used to assess your candidacy and shared with the prospective employer where relevant. This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data protection laws, including GDPR. You may request access to, correction of, deletion of, or objection to the processing of your data at any time.

Artificial intelligence tools may be used to support parts of the recruitment workflow, such as resume review, response analysis, or identifying possible inconsistencies in application materials. These tools assist recruiters and do not replace human judgment; final hiring decisions are made by people. For more information about data handling, you may contact the hiring team directly.