Senior Manager Communications Strategy and Planning

Senior Manager, Communications Strategy & Planning

Otsuka seeks a business-focused communicator to execute and operate within established strategies, planning and editorial excellence programs for the growing therapeutic area (TA) communication teams and the businesses that they enable. The role will manage the execution of an integrated TA communication strategy by operationalizing processes and develop content necessary to deliver innovative communications programs. This role will manage editorial and strategic communications, operations and excellence for planning, and support brand and above brand communications, internal communications and employee engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Execute and operate TA Communications strategy and planning in concert with the U.S. and global commercial business cycles and in alignment with the business priorities
• Create materials and cascade activities to ensure quality and alignment with Otsuka policies and procedures
• Implement and maintain processes, dashboards, and systems to enable integrated operations for communications teams and channels
• Serve as a connector between TA Communications and Enterprise Communications to ensure alignment of process across corporate and therapeutic area priorities and messaging
• Support with driving efficiency, excellence, and scalability for TA communications by overseeing priority projects such as improved planning and processes, metrics, evaluations, and engagement communications
• Support high-priority commercial projects, innovation initiatives, and transformation projects
• Ensure cross-functional collaboration to support timely execution of key priorities and projects
• Drive outcomes and employee engagement through internal communication of pipeline and portfolio assets, regulatory landmarks and disease awareness initiatives, through One Team mindset
• Contribute by shaping various written, virtual and in-person communications and driving outcomes and engagement by applying a measurement approach to organizational communications
• Facilitates the use of qualitative and quantitative insights, media analysis, digital metrics and stakeholder feedback to assess effectiveness and continuously refine communication strategies
• Partner with internal teams to identify inefficiencies and implement scalable operational improvements

Knowledge, Skills and Functional Competencies:

• Demonstrated success in highly matrixed environments, ability to conceptualize, develop, design and execute communication strategies and approaches to enable alignment and support project management
• Support the execution of key organizational processes and operational excellence
• Superior project manager with collaboration mindset and execution focus, strategic thinker with strong operational discipline, proven analytical skills and ability to independently manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Outstanding, written, oral and visual communications with a focus on clear, concise and efficient communications and attention to detail
• Proven ability to translate complex business and scientific topics into clear, compelling narratives and initiatives for diverse audiences
• Proven experience developing content across a range of platforms and media (digital-friendly, visual/storytelling style); versatility in supporting the creation of both branded and unbranded content and openness to ideate and innovate
• Continuous improvement mindset and passion to stay at the forefront of communications, change management, social and disease state trends
• Knowledge of social media environment and ability to engage effectively to advance communication strategies
• Proven ability to manage complex and shifting deadlines, influence stakeholders without direct authority, collaborate across the organization, and communicate clearly within a fast moving and dynamic commercial environment
• Excellent collaboration skills to work effectively across Corporate Affairs and with cross functional partners to drive business goals
• Manage external agencies and partners, providing strategic direction, oversight and integration across TAs with accountability and rigor
• Demonstrated ability to drive tasks, set priorities, monitor and motivate team progress, track and report KPIs, and recommend improvements to processes for the future
• Analyze and report on learnings from communications efforts and initiatives to drive effectiveness and continuous improvement
• Study and evaluate industry trends and peer activities to identify opportunities to engage and improve, using experience and external benchmarks to make the case for improvements and growth
• Support adoption of established best practices, policies, and processes

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Health, Business, Life Sciences or related field
• 8+ years of relevant experience in strategic communications, product and portfolio communications, public affairs, or related fields within a corporate or agency environment; healthcare or pharmaceutical experience required
• Specific experience in a combination of Immunology, Nephrology, Rare Disease and/or CNS strongly preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of the healthcare landscape, including R&D and commercial priorities as well as key competitive complexities for pharmaceutical innovation and science
• Comprehensive understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, R&D and product commercialization, including knowledge of the pharmaceutical regulatory landscape and policies
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail
• Ambition to drive outcomes with an aspiration for action and accountability
• Strong proficiency in Veeva Systems, PowerPoint, Excel and Word
• Commutable distance from either Princeton, NJ or Rockville, MD Otsuka offices