Associate Director, Congress Strategy Lead - Ophthalmology

Apellis Pharmaceuticals•Waltham, MA

About The Position

Opportunity awaits those up to the challenge of developing transformative therapies across a broad range of debilitating diseases. Summary: The Associate Director, Congress Strategy Lead is a high visibility position responsible for defining and executing the congress engagement strategy across the ophthalmology business unit. This role owns how Apellis and SYFOVRE show up at scientific and clinical forums - from flagship national congresses to targeted regional programs—and leads the design of commercial (non-CME) peer-to-peer education that advances disease understanding and clinical practice. Operating in a lean, high-growth biotech environment, the Associate Director partners closely with Marketing, Sales, Medical, Compliance, Operations, and Sr. Executives to ensure congress investments and peer programs are intentional, differentiated, and aligned to brand priorities. This is a high-visibility role requiring strategic thinking, cross-functional leadership, strong project management and comfort operating with both autonomy and accountability. The role will need to align and communicate congress strategy to senior and executive leadership in a compelling manner to instill confidence in plans. This role will report to the VP of Sales & Marketing, will be based in Waltham MA, and will have travel expectations of up to 30%. Roles and Responsibilities: Roles & Responsibilities Cross-Functional Leadership Act as a strategic integrator across Marketing, Medical, Field, Operations, Comms/IR, and Compliance. Develop assets for communication and planning clarity and structure. Influence without authority to align stakeholders around clear congress and education strategies. Provide clear communication, structure, and leadership across multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment. Communicate updates and strategies in various EC leadership forums to build confidence in plans. Collaborate closely with Compliance, Legal, Marketing Operations, and external partners to ensure high-quality, compliant, and scalable programs. Manage pieces through our Promotional Review Committee (PRC) process Congress Strategy & Leadership Own the US congress strategy across Retina/Ophthalmology, aligning congress presence, sponsorships, and programming to brand strategy and objectives and lifecycle needs. Evaluate and prioritize congresses and sponsorship opportunities to maximize scientific impact, brand visibility, and return on investment. Lead cross-functional planning and execution for major US meetings (e.g. Hawaiian Eye, Macula Society, Retina World Congress, ARVO, CTS, ASRS, OSN, AAO, Retina Society, etc.). Partner with US Field leadership to align on program targets, executional excellence, and performance monitoring. Serve as the primary US relationship lead with key congress organizations and societies. Drive booth strategy and execution, sponsorship activation, and on-site experience planning. Lead KOL engagement planning, inclusive of executive meetings and calendars. Translate congress learnings into actionable insights and recommendations for brand and senior leadership. Manage budget and vendor partners. Manage assets through our Promotional Review Committee (PRC) process Strategic Partnerships & Sponsorships Build and manage US partnerships with key professional organizations and foundations. Evaluate and execute corporate sponsorships that support congress and peer-to-peer education objectives. Partner with Medical Affairs to ensure appropriate use of sponsorship benefits and alignment with enterprise priorities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
10+ years of US commercial and/or medical experience with strong depth in congress strategy and peer-to-peer engagement.
Project management and/or management consulting experience.
Proven ability to think strategically, execute with excellence, and lead cross-functionally in a lean organization.
Strong communication skills and executive presence.

Nice To Haves

Retina or general ophthalmology experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Act as a strategic integrator across Marketing, Medical, Field, Operations, Comms/IR, and Compliance.
Develop assets for communication and planning clarity and structure.
Influence without authority to align stakeholders around clear congress and education strategies.
Provide clear communication, structure, and leadership across multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment.
Communicate updates and strategies in various EC leadership forums to build confidence in plans.
Collaborate closely with Compliance, Legal, Marketing Operations, and external partners to ensure high-quality, compliant, and scalable programs.
Manage pieces through our Promotional Review Committee (PRC) process
Own the US congress strategy across Retina/Ophthalmology, aligning congress presence, sponsorships, and programming to brand strategy and objectives and lifecycle needs.
Evaluate and prioritize congresses and sponsorship opportunities to maximize scientific impact, brand visibility, and return on investment.
Lead cross-functional planning and execution for major US meetings (e.g. Hawaiian Eye, Macula Society, Retina World Congress, ARVO, CTS, ASRS, OSN, AAO, Retina Society, etc.).
Partner with US Field leadership to align on program targets, executional excellence, and performance monitoring.
Serve as the primary US relationship lead with key congress organizations and societies.
Drive booth strategy and execution, sponsorship activation, and on-site experience planning.
Lead KOL engagement planning, inclusive of executive meetings and calendars.
Translate congress learnings into actionable insights and recommendations for brand and senior leadership.
Manage budget and vendor partners.
Manage assets through our Promotional Review Committee (PRC) process
Build and manage US partnerships with key professional organizations and foundations.
Evaluate and execute corporate sponsorships that support congress and peer-to-peer education objectives.
Partner with Medical Affairs to ensure appropriate use of sponsorship benefits and alignment with enterprise priorities.

Benefits

Apellis offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a 401(k) plan with company match, inclusive family building benefits, flexible time off, summer and winter shutdowns, paid family leave, disability and life insurance, and more!
Visit https://apellis.com/careers/benefits/ to learn more.

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