Executive Director, Publications & Medical Communications

Xeris Pharmaceuticals•Chicago, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Executive Director, Publications & Medical Communications is a key member of the medical affairs leadership team, leading critical publication & medical communication initiatives, including strategy, medical activities, and tactical execution. The Executive Director is responsible for identifying and leading the strategy, execution, and development of medical communication materials, with a priority focus on Medical Information Activities, Medical Information Contact Center Services, Medical review, and input into both Materials Approval Process (MAP) for all promotional materials and Medical Review Process (MedRP) for all medical materials. Additionally, this role is accountable for the strategic planning and tactical execution of high-quality scientific publications and medical/scientific communications for all therapeutic areas/assets in alignment with established medical/scientific objectives. The incumbent is responsible for the timely delivery of high-quality, integrated, balanced medical and scientific information upon the requests of internal and external business partners, and the healthcare community, including health care professionals, decision makers, patients, and caretakers. Ensures the ongoing professional success and development of direct report(s) and indirect reports as identified, including contractors/consultants and work of external medical writers/partners. This Executive Director will regularly interact with internal and external key stakeholders on publication and medical communication activities across compounds. Accountable for maintaining appropriate documentation and/or business systems utilized for assigned scientific publications and medical affairs projects. Leads assigned Medical Affairs, Leadership, and Cross-Functional meetings, special projects, and initiatives as assigned.

Requirements

Advanced degree, preferably in a scientific discipline, i.e., PhD, PharmD, Master’s Degree required
15+ years of medical/scientific publications or medical communications experience in the pharmaceutical/ health care industry, academia, or related experience (i.e., medical communication agency, clinical/scientific research) required
A minimum of 5 years of experience at a director level leading medical affairs/medical communications teams and responsibilities at a life science company
Demonstrated expertise in clinical/scientific publication structure, content, and quality
Demonstrated expertise in scientific publication regulations and best practices.
Expert-level pharmaceutical, biomedical, or scientific writing experience.
Working knowledge of statistical concepts and techniques required.
Ability to understand and interpret clinical data and strategic concepts.
Knowledge and experience with multi-channel scientific platforms and innovative communication tactics

Nice To Haves

Relevant professional certification/credential (i.e., CMPP, AMWA) is a plus
Medical Affairs or Medical Communications pharmaceutical industry fellowship or residency is a preference

Responsibilities

Identify and analyze the needs of the healthcare community and the related education gaps so they are prioritized and addressed utilizing the appropriate communication materials and channels.
Coach, lead, and mentor direct reports, including supporting professional development and handling performance management goals and processes. Ensure team member contributions are maximized and career objectives are identified and progress towards those objectives is achieved.
Leads Medical Information Services, direct reports, and assigned vendor(s) to ensure successful intake of incoming inquiries to fulfill business replies and phone requests for medical information, product inquiries, and other company related requests
Apply advanced functional, medical, and clinical expertise to develop high quality medical and scientific information, including response documents, standard response letters, custom response letters, FAQs, AMCP Dossiers, and other materials as identified to achieve desired business outcomes and ensuring Xeris is up to date in communication delivery methods and channels.
Monitor, assess, and recommend Medical Information Contact Center operational improvements to ensure satisfaction by both internal and external customers and quality of responses received
Lead medical information services and team members at product booths at professional scientific meetings and gather relevant insights and report back to key internal stakeholders on information needs and trends from the healthcare community
Routinely conduct strategic assessment (gap analysis) of medical information needs to advise and modify fulfillment strategies.
Lead medical review operations and team members input into Materials Approval Process (MAP) for all promotional materials and other medical materials review in Medical Review Process (MedRP).
Lead Publications & Medical Communications capabilities and direct reports, including management of projects (i.e., clinical manuscripts, abstracts, posters, oral presentations, medical slides, training documents, FAQs, etc.), budgets, and external partners/vendor(s).
Lead the development and timely execution of publication strategy(s), plan(s), tactics and budget(s) for project(s).
Oversight for assigned medical writers and/or external partners regarding assigned projects, ensuring a high-quality and timely and compliant work product, and adherence to Xeris Publication Policy and Good Publication Practices
Lead Publication Team meetings, Publication Cross-Functional Strategic Meetings, and actively participate in, contribute to, and provide support for Medical Communications and/or Medical Affairs meetings, including meeting preparation and presentations during meetings
Maintain subject matter expertise on relevant therapeutic areas and compounds, industry ongoings, benchmarks, and best practices to apply to assigned projects and initiatives.
Establish, maintain, and expand collaborative business relationships with staff from functional areas collaborating on publication and/or medical communication projects
Identify and attend conferences, symposia or other meetings as needed, and act as liaison between Xeris internal teams and external content contributors
Ensure publication and medical communication planning/workflow files, tools, and systems are maintained, accurate, and adherent to relevant Xeris policies, SOPs, and compliance guidelines.
Stay up to date and knowledgeable of publication and medical communications best practices, ethical considerations, and industry guidelines.