Associate Director, US Medical Communications, Rare Neuroscience

Location: Washington, District of Columbia, United StatesSalary: $168,700.00 - $265,100.00Company: Takeda PharmaceuticalsPosted: 2026-10-02Job DescriptionOBJECTIVES/PURPOSE:The Medical Communications Associate Director is a strategic partner of the US Medical Communications team responsible for supporting the development and execution of the medical communications strategy across the assigned therapeutic portfolio.Actively involved in the medical communications Scientific Communication Platform (SCP) and Integrated Communication Platform (ICP) development; content generation, which may include, but is not limited to, scientific slide decks, field medical tools, training materials, congress-related activities, websites/tools, and other medical programs.Supports execution of key medical communications tactics and activities, in an independent manner, closely coordinated with the Director US Medical Communications.The Medical Communications Associate Director is a member of the Scientific Communications Team reporting to the Director US Medical Communications for the assigned therapeutic area.SCOPE:This role will interact with key internal stakeholders, which may include members of the US Medical Communications Team and other functional medical partners, such as Medical and Scientific Directors, Outcomes Research, Field Medical, Medical Information, Program Management; other US business unit stakeholders; and Global functional groups, such as Medical, Publications, Regulatory, Statistics, and Legal.This role will also liaise with external key stakeholders such as opinion leaders, investigators, partners, and vendors for medical communication activities related to assigned assets.ACCOUNTABILITIES:Involved in planning, development, and implementation of medical communication plans and education programs for assigned brands and/or pipeline therapies.Maintain in-depth knowledge of medical communications trends and materials (scientific platform, core slide decks, scientific communication plans, digital communication plans) and can independently drive updates/revisions to these materials.Maintain the scientific accuracy and robustness of the information included in the SCP and Core Communication Objectives (CCOs) for assigned products, and in close collaboration with the cross-functional team supports the development of new SCPs for new products.In collaboration with the US Medical Affairs team, support development and execution of the Medical Communications plan and associated activities, such as generation of core Medical Communication documents, SCP, ICP, medical booths and other congress activities, satellite symposia, and scientific meetings with external experts.Support congress planning and execution, including oversight of content and design for the medical affairs booth, collection and generation of scientific insights, and planning of scientific symposia.Drive post-congress support, including liaising with competitive intelligence and post-congress integration of learnings into medical materials and communication plans.Assist in scientific or medical content development for training materials for assigned therapeutic area.Ensure that assigned medical communication projects remain on strategy, within budget, and are executed in a timely manner.DIMENSIONS AND ASPECTS:Technical/Functional (Line) Expertise (Breadth and depth of knowledge, application, and complexity of technical knowledge):Comprehensive understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and regulations governing medical functions within industry activities and medical regulatory process.Leadership (Vision, strategy and business alignment, people management, communication, influencing others, managing change):Demonstrated ability to work across functions, regions, and cultures.Embraces and demonstrates a diversity and inclusion mindset and role models these behaviors for the organization.Ability to present complex information clearly and with confidence.Helps drive decision-making for medical communications strategies and tactics.Decision-making and Autonomy (The capacity and authority to make organizational decisions, autonomy in decision-making, complexity of decisions, impact of decisions, problem-solving):Ability to seek diverse input from multiple sources and stakeholders to drive innovative solutions.Ability to incorporate feedback and ensure decisions are made swiftly to yield flawless execution.Interaction (The span and nature of one's engagement with others when performing one's job, internal and external relationships):Foster solutions-oriented thinking by fostering a culture of performance, accountability, simplicity, empowerment, external orientation, and curiosity.Effectively navigates the changing external and internal environment and leads others through change by creating and inspiring work culture.Innovation (The required level of scientific knowledge, knowledge sharing, innovation, and risk-taking):Ability to develop and implement business solutions based on trends, needs, opportunities, and market direction within the pharmaceutical industry.Complexity (Products managed, mix of businesses, internal and/or external business environment, cultural considerations):Ability to work in a global and highly matrixed ecosystem (internal and external) with a high degree of complexity.EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES, AND SKILLS: Required:Advanced degree (i.e., MPH, MS, Ph.D., MD, or PharmD) in a biosciences discipline.4+ years of related experience at a pharmaceutical company or a medical communications agency.3+ years in medical affairs including roles in medical communication function.Experience leading individuals and cross-functional teams.Successful track record of implementing medical communication and congress programs, including omnichannel communication and digital channels/tools.Excellent written and oral communication skills.Ability to work across diverse therapeutic areas.Experience with resource allocation and vendor management.Experience with managing budgets.Preferred:Understanding pharmaceutical clinical development and product life-cycle management.Strong self-motivation and enthusiasm with demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, highly detail-oriented environment.Ability to understand and interpret medical/scientific data and develop strategic messaging and strong knowledge of pharmaceutical standards, compliance, and regulations.Strong experience in writing scientific communication decks, reports, materials for educational activities.Experience in Neuroscience and/or rare diseases preferred.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Ability to travel to various professional meetings, conferences, and client sites – limited overnight. Some international travel may be required.Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary:We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. We are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices.For Location: Lexington, MAU.S. Base Salary Range: $168,700.00 - $265,100.00The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location. U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/or long-term incentives. 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.EEO StatementTakeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.LocationsLexington, MAWorker TypeEmployeeWorker Sub-TypeRegularTime TypeFull timeIt is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.