Director, Scientific Communications Rare Disease

 

Kyowa Kirin is a global specialty pharmaceutical company backed by more than 70 years of breakthrough life science innovation, dedicated to discovering and advancing treatments for diseases in which unmet need is greatest. Based in Japan with worldwide operations, we work across the continuum from drug discovery to commercialization, guided by our commitment to patients and their families.

Our research teams, located in California and around the world, are focused on developing the next generation of antibody, cell, and gene therapies, with particular emphasis on bone and mineral disorders, hemato-oncology, and rare diseases. We accelerate development through collaborations with industry, academia, patients, and healthcare providers, and since 2018 we have introduced four new therapies serving patients with progressive illnesses often in need of new therapeutic alternatives.

Summary of Job:

The Director, Scientific Communications, Rare Disease is accountable for defining, driving, and continuously optimizing the scientific communications strategy for the Rare Disease Medical Affairs organization in North America. The role translates Medical Affairs strategic objectives into scientific communications priorities and sets direction for the planning, development, review, and implementation of scientific materials and educational programs that ensure the accurate, balanced, and compliant dissemination of scientific information.

Core focus of the role includes owning the strategy and lifecycle management of Field Medical materials; directing the scientific content and execution of Medical Advisory Boards, Scientific Symposia, Medical Education initiatives, and conference-related deliverables; and governing external Medical Communications agencies and Medical Education partners to including scope, quality standards, timelines, and budget, ensuring delivery of high-quality, scientifically accurate materials. The Director leads cross-functionally with Medical Affairs and other internal stakeholders to align scientific communications activities with organizational priorities, resolve competing priorities, and ensure compliance with applicable policies and regulatory requirements. The Director represents Scientific Communications in governance and cross-functional leadership forums and serves as the senior point of accountability for scientific communications across the North America Rare Disease portfolio.

Essential Functions:

• Define and own the North America Rare Disease scientific communications strategy and annual plan, prioritizing initiatives and allocating resources against Medical Affairs strategic objectives.
• Direct data disclosure and scientific dissemination strategy associated with clinical trial milestones and major medical congresses for U.S. Medical Affairs and be accountable for its execution.
• Establish content and editorial standards for regional publications and scientific presentations and guide others in their development.
• Ensure regional publication priorities are secured within the global publication plan and own the localization of global publication activities to meet regional needs.
• Drive alignment across global and regional Medical Affairs teams to ensure consistency of scientific messaging and coherence with regional medical strategy, aligning stakeholders with competing priorities.
• Own the relationship with external medical communications agencies and vendors, setting scope and deliverable standards, directing timelines, and managing and being accountable for the scientific communications budget.
• Lead external expert engagement and steering committee activities, directing content strategy and the review and approval workflows.
• Set direction for scientific communications support of scientific and medical operations, including advisory board planning and execution, medical information initiatives, and Medical Science Liaison (MSL) training.
• Represent Medical Affairs at Medical Review Committee (MRC) and Promotional Review Committee (PRC) meetings, and be accountable for ensuring materials are scientifically accurate, current, appropriately substantiated, and properly referenced.
• Establish and govern standards ensuring all scientific communications activities are conducted in compliance with applicable SOPs, policies, regulatory requirements, ICMJE recommendations, Good Publication Practice (GPP) guidelines, and company compliance standards; serve as the escalation point for scientific communications compliance questions.
• Anticipate scientific, operational, and compliance risks across the communications portfolio and direct mitigation.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education

Advanced degrees in life sciences, health sciences, pharmacy, medicine, nursing, or a related scientific discipline (MD, PharmD, PhD, DNP, or equivalent) required.

 Experience

• Minimum of ten (10) years in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical communications industry within Medical Affairs or Scientific Communications.
• Minimum of five (5) years leading Scientific Communications, Publications, or Medical Communications functions or initiatives.
• Demonstrated success owning and driving scientific communication strategies and plans, including field medical materials, advisory boards, scientific symposia, medical education programs, publications, and congress deliverables.
• Experience leading through others, including direct reports, matrixed teams, and/or external partners, with demonstrated ability to coach, develop, and build functional capability.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional stakeholders and govern external medical communications agencies and vendors, including scope definition, quality standards, timelines, and budget accountability.
• Demonstrated experience directing publication planning, scientific dissemination, and data disclosure strategy associated with clinical development and medical congresses.
• Experience representing a function in medical, promotional, and publication review governance processes within a regulated pharmaceutical or biotechnology environment.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and align stakeholders with competing priorities across global and regional teams.
• Rare Disease experience is strongly preferred.

.Technical Skills

• Expert knowledge of scientific communications, publication planning, Good Publication Practice (GPP) guidelines, International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) recommendations, and applicable regulatory requirements, with the ability to set standards and guide others in their application.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex scientific information to diverse internal and external audiences, including senior leadership, and to lead cross-functional discussion and alignment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint.
• Skilled in using Veeva Vault MedComms, Veeva PromoMats, publication management systems, and other platforms supporting scientific content development, review, approval, and distribution, including the ability to establish and optimize processes within these systems.
• Strong scientific writing, editing, literature evaluation, and content development skills, with the ability to set editorial and scientific quality standards and review the work of others.
• Ability to evaluate and direct the application of AI-enabled tools and platforms to support scientific content development, literature synthesis, data visualization, and operational efficiency while ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and oversee a portfolio of concurrent initiatives, allocate resources, and deliver high-quality work within established timelines and budget.

Non-Technical Skills

Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize and oversee multiple projects from concept to completion in a fast-paced environment. Strong written and oral communication skills. Ability to lead and influence within cross-functional teams (across geography and culture) composed of people with diverse skill sets and personalities. Team player, flexible and adaptable. Ability to build and sustain strong working relationships, both inside and outside the organization, including with senior leaders and external experts. Self-starter who operates with a high degree of autonomy while maintaining alignment with senior leadership. Must possess integrity and be innovative in how they work on a day-by-day basis. Has a passion for personal learning and development, and for developing others, to be able to grow with the company. Cultural sensitivity and ability to develop consensus within a multinational organization.

Physical Demands: Normal office environment with prolonged sitting and extensive computer work.

Working Conditions: Minimal domestic travel required (<10%), primarily for conference attendance or key meetings; occasional weekend travel may be required.

 

Our culture is grounded in our values: Commitment to Life, Integrity, Innovation, and Teamwork/Wa, and brought to life through the Kabegoe Principles, which define the behaviors and actions that guide how we work together to deliver meaningful impact for patients.

We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and mindful of the countless individuals still waiting for their own breakthroughs. A commitment to making people smile unites our efforts. Learn more at www.kkna.kyowakirin.com.

 

The anticipated salary for this position will be $220,000 to $260,000.  The actual salary offered for this role at commencement of employment may vary based on several factors including but not limited to relevant experience, skill set, qualifications, education (including applicable licenses and certifications, job-based knowledge, location, and other business and organizational needs.

The listed salary is just one component of the overall compensation package. At Kyowa Kirin North America we provide a comprehensive range of benefits including:

• 401K with company match
• Annual Bonus Program (Sales Bonus for Sales Jobs)
• Generous PTO and Holiday Schedule which includes Summer and Winter Shut-Downs, Sick Days and, Volunteer Days
• Healthcare Benefits (Medical, Dental, Prescription Drugs and Vision)
• HSA & FSA Programs
• Well-Being and Work/Life Programs
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Concierge Services
• Long Term Incentive Program (subject to job level and performance)
• Pet Insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Referral Awards

The compensation and benefits information set forth in this posting applies to candidates hired in the United States. Candidates hired outside the United States will be eligible for compensation and benefits in accordance with their local market.

KKNA and all of its employees have an obligation to act in accordance with the law and with integrity in all our operations and interactions

It is the policy of Kyowa Kirin North America, Inc. to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, religion, creed, color, pregnancy, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or affection preference or citizenship status or any other category protected by law.

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