Associate Director, Research Communication & Advocacy

Do you want to be part of an inclusive team that works to develop innovative therapies for patients? Every day, we are driven to develop and deliver innovative and effective new medicines to patients and physicians. If you want to be part of this exciting work, you belong at Astellas!

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to turning innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families. Keeping our focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conducting our business with ethics and integrity enables us to improve the health of people throughout the world. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.com .

Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine (AIRM) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Astellas Pharma Inc and focused on the development and commercialization of stem cell and regenerative medicine therapies. Astellas is an R&D-driven global pharmaceutical company whose philosophy is to contribute to the improvement of people's heath around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products.

AIRM has a world-class R&D team, and is pursuing a diverse range of disease indications, ranging from macular degeneration (currently in clinical trials) and other ocular indications to vascular and autoimmune disease. AIRM's intellectual property portfolio includes pluripotent stem cell platforms -- both embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells as well as other cell-based therapy research programs. AIRM is headquartered in Massachusetts.

Astellas is announcing an Associate Director, Research Communication & Advocacy opportunity at their Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine (AIRM) site in Westborough, MA.

Purpose

The Associate Director of Research Communications and Advocacy role is responsible for information disclosure and communications supporting the Chief Science Office (CScO) and the global Research organization, comprised of eleven affiliates (divisions) across geographic regions. The position supports the Senior Director of Research Communications and Advocacy and the global Research Communications team.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Provides strategic and tactical support for two West Coast-based affiliates, and ad hoc support for East Coast affiliates and Japan team members, as well as requests from other communications teams at Astellas.
• Develops and drives internal and external communications strategy for the CScO and Research affiliates under the CScO
• Partners with Research leaders to proactively identify emerging issues and drafts and prepares appropriate communications plans
• Manages and collaborates with communications vendors as appropriate to deliver projects in scope, on budget, and on time
• Develops and executes communications in support of change management across the organization
• Collaborates closely with Corporate Advocacy & Relations and M&D Communications to lead development of communications materials including press releases, talking points, presentations, social media content, internal articles and company communications, etc.

Quantitative Dimensions

• This critical position will deliver significant internally- and externally directed corporate communications and key messaging that will raise Astellas’ profile in highly competitive scientific hot spots including Boston/Cambridge, South San Francisco, the UK and Japan; it will support organizational goals surrounding scientific excellence, innovation, acquisition opportunities and talent acquisition.

Organizational Context

• This position reports to the Senior Director of Research Communications and Advocacy, and will partner closely with the CScO, Heads of Research affiliates, Corporate Advocacy and Relations and M&D Communications.

Qualifications

Required:

• BA/BS degree in relevant field, with 5-7 years communications experience, preferably with a pharmaceutical/biotech/healthcare organization
• Capability to facilitate discussions with senior leaders
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills
• Strong aptitude for handling scientific discussions with Research leadership
• Understanding of communications channels, including internal, traditional and social media and digital communications, and ability to design and conduct appealing communications specific to research
• Strong people management and development skills

Preferred

• Flexibility with working hours to manage multiple geographies
• West Coast location (San Francisco or Seattle would be ideal)

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation, Sick time, plus national holidays including Heritage Days, and Summer and Winter Breaks
• Company paid life insurance
• Referral bonus program
• Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
• 401(k) match and annual company contribution

Salary Range

• $130,500 – 174,000 (NOTE: Final salary could be more or less, commensurate with experience)

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Category Chief Scientific Officer

Astellas is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.

EOE including Disability/Protected Veterans