Associate Director, Strategic Planning & Performance Management (Seaport MA)

EMD Serono•Boston, MA

About The Position

Is a trusted strategic partner, driver, and source of support for US Medical Affairs Therapeutic Area (TA) and other Function Heads in the development and successful execution of strategic medical plans, launch planning, special initiatives, and performance tracking/reporting for assigned areas. This work will be delivered, in part, by influencing, facilitating, and monitoring product/launch teams (cross-functional US Medical teams with strategic and tactical execution responsibility), strategic plans, budgets, and execution for assigned TA(s) to ensure on time, on target, on budget delivery. It will be done in careful alignment with US and global strategic business imperatives. The Lead will also follow all company policies, processes and procedures pertinent to this role. Your role: Accountable for supporting Medical TAs in the development and successful execution of strategic medical plans, launch planning, special initiatives, and performance tracking/reporting for assigned areas Impacts a range of important customers, operational, project and service activities within own team and other related teams. Affects the results within own discipline with own contributions and contributes to overall success of the Medical organization Works effectively in a mixed environment and uses best practices and knowledge or interpretation of internal and external business issues to improve products or services and to define processes and standards Influences, facilitates and monitors product/launch teams (cross-functional Medical team with strategic and tactical execution responsibilities), strategic plans, budgets, and execution for assigned TA(s) to ensure on time, on target, on budget delivery Execution will be done in close alignment with US and global strategic business imperatives Facilitate timely development and approval of strategic annual/launch and long-range plans for assigned TA(s) and initiatives Ensure team follows pertinent global/US processes in a compliant manner Engage and align with global counterparts, and actively communicate with key stakeholders from inception through execution and monitoring of plan Identify, track, and monitor meaningful performance measures for strategic medical programs, including indicators of launch success Train TA Medical team members as required to ensure measures are tracked appropriately Communicate progress against performance targets through regular reporting and stakeholder engagement, including identification of achievements and areas for improvement Proactively identify need for change-in-plan and risk mitigation, while creating innovative solutions and positively influencing the strategic direction of the TA Medical teams In collaboration with key stakeholders (e.g., TA Heads), build annual/launch and long-range budget submissions for headcount and programs Act as liaison between Finance Controller and team to communicate details of operating plan forecast and track/report spend on a monthly basic Leverage technology to streamline budgeting process. Apply appropriate project management methods to drive success of assigned programs and initiatives (develop cost estimates and timelines, ensure resources are available to execute); Lead regularly recurring TA Medical team meetings (agendas, action items, and meeting facilitation) Foster dynamic and effective collaboration with TA teams, Med Comm, Med Info, Field Medical, Scientific Directors, Medical Directors, Finance, Regional Clinical Operations, Development, Global Business Franchises, and Global Medical Affairs Cultivate continuous improvement in Medical Affairs strategic planning and performance management Take on other related duties and initiatives as identified and as assigned

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required, in science or business preferred
7+ years in pharmaceutical or biotech environment - direct or through strategy consulting
Experience in strategic annual/long-range planning, including (ideally) launch planning and adept at considering a broad range of actors to shape strategic plans and successful execution
Demonstrated expertise in project management methods (action plans, monitoring tools, directive and supportive techniques)
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across functions in a complex organization
Advanced software skills, particularly MS Excel and PowerPoint

Nice To Haves

MBA or other advanced degree preferred
MCPM or PMP preferred
Understanding of drug development and lifecycle management, medical affairs operations, and regulatory/legal requirements across product lifecycle is preferred
Ability to communicate openly and share information to foster trust while encouraging constructive debate, making informed decisions, and ensuring shared commitment to outcomes.
Demonstrated willingness to take risks and stand up for what is right while prioritizing the needs and experiences of customers and patients in all decisions.
Commitment to setting and reaching ambitious goals and setting high standards while acting in the best interest of the company and taking initiative to drive results.
Uphold ethical standards and being honest in all interactions.
Ability to streamline processes to focus on what matters and creates impact and acting quickly to adapt to changes.
Demonstrated ability to embrace new ideas, challenge the status quo, and seek innovative solutions while valuing diverse perspectives and treating others with respect and dignity.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to influence and work cross-functionally
Highly motivated and results-oriented; must be able to function independently and as a team player with a strong attention to detail
Excellent organizational skills and strategic thinking skills
Ability to handle multiple tasks effectively and to work under pressure

Responsibilities

Supporting Medical TAs in the development and successful execution of strategic medical plans, launch planning, special initiatives, and performance tracking/reporting for assigned areas
Impacting a range of important customers, operational, project and service activities within own team and other related teams
Improving products or services and to define processes and standards
Influencing, facilitating and monitoring product/launch teams
Facilitate timely development and approval of strategic annual/launch and long-range plans for assigned TA(s) and initiatives
Ensuring team follows pertinent global/US processes in a compliant manner
Engaging and aligning with global counterparts, and actively communicate with key stakeholders from inception through execution and monitoring of plan
Identifying, tracking, and monitoring meaningful performance measures for strategic medical programs, including indicators of launch success
Training TA Medical team members as required to ensure measures are tracked appropriately
Communicating progress against performance targets through regular reporting and stakeholder engagement, including identification of achievements and areas for improvement
Proactively identifying need for change-in-plan and risk mitigation, while creating innovative solutions and positively influencing the strategic direction of the TA Medical teams
Building annual/launch and long-range budget submissions for headcount and programs
Acting as liaison between Finance Controller and team to communicate details of operating plan forecast and track/report spend on a monthly basic
Leveraging technology to streamline budgeting process
Applying appropriate project management methods to drive success of assigned programs and initiatives
Leading regularly recurring TA Medical team meetings
Fostering dynamic and effective collaboration with TA teams
Cultivating continuous improvement in Medical Affairs strategic planning and performance management
Taking on other related duties and initiatives as identified and as assigned