Director, Us R&D Communications

About the Department

US R&D Operations is a newly established organization to support the growing Research and Development organizations across the US. This role will be focused on building the local communications team focused on R&D and will work closely their broader US and Global communications colleagues. The US R&D group continues to grow and with an expanded focus on it’s greater Boston hub which includes researchers, scientists, drug developers and operational staff, focused on pushing the boundaries of science to create and drive new therapies for both rare and more prevalent diseases from the bench to the clinic. Together, we are driving change. Are you ready to make a difference?

The Position

The Director, US R&D Communications will focus on creating awareness and visibility of Novo Nordisk as a key innovation player in the Boston area while fostering a culture of collaboration and unity across our R&D functions and beyond. We are developing capabilities to deliver new transformative treatments and expect to add more than 200 new jobs to the Boston sites in 2023. Our aim is to attract new partners and talents.

The role will establish and lead a joint communication team anchored in our US Operations unit. This will ensure scalability as we grow, aligned planning and cohesive messaging across US, R&D and beyond.

Key focus areas include development and implementation of a communications plan and strategy to support our endeavor to establish and build Novo Nordisk’s brand as a rapidly growing R&D presence in the greater Boston area. This role will partner with communications leaders across US R&D lines of business (SVP areas), as well as Global Communications, Corporate Communications (US), Public Affairs (Government Affairs) and others on external communications (media, social, events) supporting US R&D. Coach and develop others to support communications and change management activities for successful implementation of projects, initiatives, and strategy.

Relationships

This position reports to the Head of US R&D Operations with dotted-line reporting to EVP communication partners for key US R&D functions, including (but not limited to): Research & Early Development, Development, Rare Disease and Corporate Development.

This successful candidate will oversee a team of communications professionals and specialists through both direct and dotted line. Engaged in internal, external, integration and scientific communications supporting US R&D functions, sites, and operations.

This position interacts and collaborates with communications professionals responsible for R&D SVP areas who are primarily based in Denmark, as well as other key business areas and local (US) Operations leaders. This position also manages multiple external vendor relationships to support communications, including an external PR agency, photographers/videographers, designer, others.

Essential Functions

• Leads US R&D Communications function and partners across lines of business/SVP areas (communications partners) on internal and external communications strategy that supports US R&D priorities and visibility:
  • In collaboration and consultation with SVP communications partners, identifies key milestones, technologies, breakthroughs, partnerships, thought-leadership, speakership, scientific conference, and media opportunities, and develops comprehensive communications plan designed to elevate Novo Nordisk’s R&D initiatives and ambitions
  • Collaborates with DK and US communications colleagues to foster greater R&D visibility on external (US and DK) and internal websites and across social media
• Collaborates with DK and US communications colleagues to foster greater R&D visibility on external (US and DK) and internal websites and across social media
• In collaboration and consultation with SVP communications partners, identifies key milestones, technologies, breakthroughs, partnerships, thought-leadership, speakership, scientific conference, and media opportunities, and develops comprehensive communications plan designed to elevate Novo Nordisk’s R&D initiatives and ambitions

• Build and deploy narrative around greater Boston expansion
• Partners with P&O and site managers to foster sense of community and cultivate strong cultural identity through site events and activities and communications mechanisms
• Champion, plan, develop and execute fall 2023 visibility event, coordinating extensively with key leaders, internal stakeholders, and external vendors
• Liaise with P&O and communications partners on integration of narrative in hiring resources and collaborate on communications deliverables and tactics to support near- and longer-term hiring needs
• 
  Leads greater Boston R&D/Novo Nordisk visibility and branding:
  • Build and deploy narrative around greater Boston expansion
  • Champion, plan, develop and execute fall 2023 visibility event, coordinating extensively with key leaders, internal stakeholders, and external vendors
  • Liaise with P&O and communications partners on integration of narrative in hiring resources and collaborate on communications deliverables and tactics to support near- and longer-term hiring needs
  • Develop longer-term marketing and communications plans and branding to increase Novo Nordisk’s visibility in greater Boston life sciences ecosystem, including partnering with external agencies and internal stakeholders in US and DK
  • Align communications and marketing plan to overarching Novo Nordisk strategy while pursuing fit-for-purpose plans and tactics to elevate and distinguish Novo Nordisk in competitive US R&D landscape
  • Partners with P&O and site managers to foster sense of community and cultivate strong cultural identity through site events and activities and communications mechanisms
• Develop longer-term marketing and communications plans and branding to increase Novo Nordisk’s visibility in greater Boston life sciences ecosystem, including partnering with external agencies and internal stakeholders in US and DK
• Align communications and marketing plan to overarching Novo Nordisk strategy while pursuing fit-for-purpose plans and tactics to elevate and distinguish Novo Nordisk in competitive US R&D landscape

• Internal Town Halls and speaker series topics and talking points, slides, logistics coordination and production
• LinkedIn and internal social media posts
• Partner and integration communications
• 
  Leads team of communications professionals; oversees and is accountable for all internal and external US R&D communications, including:
  • Internal SharePoint sites
  • Videos and digital media assets, including signage
  • Internal newsletters and site-wide communications, including Q&A and change communications for P&O and operations functions
  • Partner and integration communications
  • Internal Town Halls and speaker series topics and talking points, slides, logistics coordination and production
  • LinkedIn and internal social media posts
  • Special events execution
  • Other communications needs, as required
• Internal newsletters and site-wide communications, including Q&A and change communications for P&O and operations functions
• Special events execution
• Videos and digital media assets, including signage
• Other communications needs, as required
• Internal SharePoint sites

Physical Requirements

Approximately 0 - 10% overnight travel.

Development of People

Ensure that reporting personnel have individual development plans (IDP), with annual goals and measurements that are consistent with the priorities of the business, and that interim reviews are held so that their work is focused on those priorities, and they understand their level of accountability for results and the measurement process. Ensure that the IDP forms include completed learning and aspiration plans and are in place for all reporting personnel to enable the achievement of goals and capability to assume increased levels of responsibility. Manage the application and communication of all Novo Nordisk policies, procedures, and Novo Nordisk Way.

Qualifications

• BA or BS degree required

• Minimum of 10+ years of biopharma experience across Public Relations & Corporate Communications
• Strong stakeholder management experience and ability to lead teams through change
• Demonstrated experience working in a dynamic matrixed global organization required
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Biotech or pharma communications experience, especially in a highly matrixed organization
• Ability to lead and set direction as well as directly take on projects with hands-on execution
• Strong project management skills, with flexibility to pivot, prioritize and adapt to changing needs
• Experience managing and leading teams strongly preferred
• Deep understanding of US R&D landscape, especially greater Boston life sciences ecosystem

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk we recognize that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and communities we operate in. Together, we’re life changing.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.