Head, Neuroscience Communications

Takeda • Cambridge, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

As Takeda enters an exciting phase of growth, we are seeking a Head (Senior Director), Neuroscience Communications to lead a cross-functional team preparing for a high-priority potential launch. As Head, Neuroscience Communications, you will report to the Vice President and Head, R&D and Portfolio Communications and join a team that is responsible for developing and executing strategic, integrated communications for Takeda's promising late-stage pipeline and marketed products in the U.S. and globally, including launch readiness and life-cycle management. You will also help refine Takeda’s overall reputation in Neuroscience through above-brand initiatives and storytelling. This is a hybrid position requiring working onsite in Cambridge, Massachusetts two (2) days each week/eight (8) days each month at minimum.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in communications, journalism, marketing or a related field
• 15+ years experience in pharma/biotech company, or an agency, with a comprehensive understanding of the biopharma industry
• At least 10 years of experience in global product/pipeline communications, preferably in Neuroscience
• Product launch experience
• Country/regional level communication experience is preferable
• Proven track record conducting global communication initiatives, programs or events
• Experience in defining project plans and leading/influencing project teams
• Experience and maturity to challenge and intervene with colleagues
• Strong ability and experience working in a complex global matrix organization
• Excellent communication skills required, written and verbal (presentations)
• Detail-oriented and highly organized with the ability to meet important deadlines and work well under pressure
• Strategic and creative thinking, with the ability to anticipate and address opportunities and challenges in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required, as well as strong interpersonal skills
• Track record of successfully working across highly matrixed teams, influencing without authority, and influence change within a large organization
• Exceptionally strong decision-making and prioritization skills; ability to manage competing priorities and making difficult decisions for inclusion/exclusion
• Required to prioritize and identify impactful global communication initiatives, plan and execute on budgets and deprioritize in times of constraint and limitations
• Work across many stakeholders at global, regional, country and R&D level
• Need to ensure legal and regulatory compliance across all communications content
• Travel may be required (15%)

Responsibilities

• Serve as a critical member of multiple leadership teams, including the R&D and Portfolio Communications Leadership Team, the U.S. Neuroscience Business Unit Leadership Team, the U.S. Business Unit Senior Leadership Team, global leadership teams and launch steering committees and task forces.
• Show up as the most senior business partner and communications counselor to Neuroscience leadership across R&D, Commercial, Medical, Advocacy, Public Affairs and other cross-functional team leaders.
• Lead operationalization of new, high-performing communications team and create a fun, supportive, collaborative culture within Neuroscience, Global Communications and Takeda.
• Drive career growth and development for two direct reports.
• Model Enterprise leadership by driving connectivity and collaboration across the organization
• Create integrated Neuroscience Communications strategy that reflects Enterprise collaboration, deep understanding of niche priority audiences and ability to deliver impact in the most effect ways for these audiences.
• Identify, create and activate opportunities for Communications to drive ownable, creative, effective engagement with artificial intelligence (AI).
• Introduce new channels and platforms for reaching priority audiences.
• Lead collaboration with Takeda executives, communicators, Investor Relations and other cross-functional teams to drive adoption of consistent, clear messages about Takeda, neuroscience aspirations and priority assets.
• Oversee global and U.S. launch strategy for one of Takeda’s high-priority late-stage assets, working closely with direct reports who lead communications for the asset.
• Drive development and growth for two direct reports.
• Bring strong knowledge of the biopharmaceutical industry and expertise related to R&D, commercialization and lifecycle management processes, business development collaborations and launches.
• Develop and execute pipeline and milestone-specific (e.g., data readouts, regulatory milestones, launches, life-cycle management, issues management) communications plans, including scenario planning, global materials and message development, launch toolkits, global congress communications, media relations strategies, digital/social tactics and quarterly investor messaging support.
• Partner closely with global patient advocacy, global corporate affairs, investor relations, and country and regional communications teams, among others, to ensure a consistent Neuroscience narrative and communications strategy for Takeda.
• Partner with regional and country communications teams to share strategic guidance, best practices, and to support local execution of communications activities.
• Lead issues and crisis planning and execution.
• Advise on communications strategies for major global Neuroscience medical congresses where data will be presented, liaising with local markets, R&D and medical communications teams, as appropriate.
• Create global disease awareness programs for key therapeutic areas and above-brand positioning within our Neuroscience portfolio.
• Develop and track KPIs to ensure communications are meeting desired objectives.
• Act as a role model for Takeda's values and leadership behaviors, promoting diversity, inclusion and empowerment.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and learning, leveraging best practices, insights and feedback to optimize communications effectiveness and impact.
• Manage global public relations agency partners and oversee communications budgets for Neuroscience portfolio and programs.

Benefits

• U.S. based employees may be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, a tuition reimbursement program, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, and well-being benefits, among others.
• U.S. based employees are also eligible to receive, per calendar year, up to 80 hours of sick time, and new hires are eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees