Director, Scientific Communications (CNS)

Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc.

Annapolis, MD

Apply

JOB DETAILS

SKILLS

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, Best Practices, Biotech and Pharmaceutical, Budget Management, Business Skills, Business Strategy, Channel Strategies, Clinical Data, Communication Skills, Content Delivery/Distribution, Content Development, Continuous Improvement, Contract Management, Cross-Functional, Disease, Drug Development, Emerging Technology, Healthcare, Internet Application, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Medical Affairs, Medicine, Mentoring, Operations Processes, Performance Management, Performance Tuning/Optimization, Problem Solving Skills, Process Improvement, Project Planning, Project/Program Management, Regulations, Resource Management, Resume Search, Scalable System Development, Staff Development, Strategic Planning, Team Lead/Manager, Time Management, Yahoo!

LOCATION

Annapolis, MD

POSTED

Today

The Director, Scientific Communications (CNS) is responsible for leading the planning, development, and execution of the global scientific communications strategy for assigned therapeutic area assets. This role is accountable for the development and execution of integrated, data-driven medical communications plans that effectively translate complex scientific data into clear, compelling, and impactful content for healthcare professionals and internal stakeholders.

The Director serves as a key architect of disease state and asset-specific scientific narratives and chairs cross-functional teams to ensure alignment across content, communication channels, and external engagement strategies. This role leads a team and partners closely with senior stakeholders across Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, Evidence Generation, Regulatory, and Commercial functions to ensure delivery of scientifically accurate, compliant, and innovative communications.

This position reports directly to the Senior Director, Medical Communications Lead (CNS).

Key Responsibilities

Global Scientific Communications Strategy

+ Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive, globally aligned medical communications strategy across assigned CNS assets.

+ Provide input to the long-term communication priorities aligned with asset strategy, lifecycle stage, and evolving external landscape.

+ Translate scientific and clinical insights into integrated communication approaches that support stakeholder engagement and decision-making.

+ Act as a strategic partner to senior cross-functional leaders to ensure alignment with enterprise and asset-level priorities.

Integrated Medical Communications Planning (IMCP) Leadership

+ Lead cross-functional scientific team for assigned asset/therapeutic area deliverables.

+ Lead the execution of Medical Communication Plans, inclusive of:

+ Content strategy and deliverables

+ Communication channels and external engagement planning

+ Congress execution

+ Ensure IMCPs are fully integrated into annual asset planning processes and aligned with broader medical and business strategies.

+ Drive accountability for timely, high-quality execution of all IMCP deliverables.

Scientific Narrative & Content Strategy Ownership

+ Support with the development and refinement of Scientific Communication Platform (SCP), scientific narrative, and core lexicon across Medical Affairs communications.

+ Ensure consistency, clarity, and scientific rigor across all content and communication channels globally.

+ Provide strategic oversight for the development of core content assets, including:

+ Disease state education materials

+ Core field medical materials

+ Data dissemination assets

+ Congress-related materials and external engagement tools

+ Ensure content strategies are modular, scalable, and optimized for omnichannel delivery.

Content Design, Delivery & Innovation

+ Drive the design and execution of innovative content and communication channel strategies, including digital and omnichannel engagement approaches.

+ Collaborate with internal teams to develop new tools and platforms for scientific communication, including digital, social, and interactive formats.

+ Champion the adoption of emerging technologies (e.g., AI-enabled content development, personalization, automation) to improve efficiency and impact.

+ Ensure content is designed with the end user in mind, enhancing accessibility, engagement, and scientific understanding.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration

+ Serve as a core leader within cross-functional asset teams.

+ Translate emerging clinical data into actionable communication strategies.

+ Ensure alignment and appropriate scientific integration across global and regional initiatives while maintaining Medical Affairs independence.

Governance, Compliance & Quality Excellence

+ Ensure all communications are scientifically accurate, evidence-based, and compliant with internal policies and external regulations.

+ Establish and oversee governance frameworks for content development, review, and lifecycle management.

+ Act as an escalation point for complex scientific or compliance-related content decisions.

+ Maintain high standards of quality, consistency, and ethical communication practices.

Operational & Agency Leadership

+ Lead annual scope-of-work planning and resource allocation for scientific communications deliverables.

+ Oversee agency partnerships, including selection, contracting, performance management, and optimization.

+ Drive operational excellence, process improvements, and scalable content development models.

+ Ensure efficient delivery of high-quality outputs within budget and timelines.

Team Leadership & Organizational Impact

+ Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing team (Associate Directors, Managers, and/or cross-functional contributors).

+ Foster a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, accountability, and collaboration.

+ Build organizational capability in scientific communications, including best practice sharing and process standardization.

+ Promote a learner-first, inclusive mindset in content development and team culture.

Continuous Improvement & External Awareness

+ Stay current with advancements in scientific communications, digital engagement, and the external healthcare landscape.

+ Gather and implement best practices across regions to drive consistency and innovation.

+ Use insights, analytics, and stakeholder feedback to continuously optimize communication strategies and execution.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

+ Advanced degree required (PharmD, MD, PhD, or equivalent in science, medicine, or related field).

+ Minimum of 10+ years of experience in Medical Affairs, Scientific Communications, or related roles within the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry.

+ Minimum of 3-5 years of prior leadership experience, including development and management of team members.

+ Demonstrated experience leading global communication strategies and integrated planning processes.

+ Strong experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing senior stakeholders.

+ Experience in the CNS therapeutic area strongly preferred.

Skills and Competencies

+ Proven ability to translate complex scientific data into clear, strategic communication plans.

+ Strong leadership and facilitation skills, including ability to chair cross-functional teams.

+ Expertise in content strategy, omnichannel engagement, and digital communication tools.

+ Strong project management capabilities, with experience managing multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously.

+ Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with executive presence.

+ Strategic mindset with strong business acumen and ability to align scientific communications with enterprise goals.

+ Experience leveraging innovation, including AI and digital tools, to enhance content development and delivery.

Competencies

Accountability for Results - Stay focused on key strategic objectives, be accountable for high standards of performance, and take an active role in leading change.

Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving - Make decisions considering the long-term impact to customers, patients, employees, and the business.

Patient & Customer Centricity - Maintain an ongoing focus on the needs of our customers and/or key stakeholders.

Impactful Communication - Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect. Influence at all levels to achieve the best results for Otsuka.

Respectful Collaboration - Seek and value others’ perspectives and strive for diverse partnerships to enhance work toward common goals.

Empowered Development - Play an active role in professional development as a business imperative.

Minimum $186,489.00 - Maximum $278,875.00, plus incentive opportunity: The range shown represents a typical pay range or starting pay for individuals who are hired in the role to perform in the United States. Other elements may be used to determine actual pay such as the candidate’s job experience, specific skills, and comparison to internal incumbents currently in role. Typically, actual pay will be positioned within the established range, rather than at its minimum or maximum. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with states and local laws.

Application Deadline : This will be posted for a minimum of 5 business days.

Company benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, company provided basic life, accidental death & dismemberment, short-term and long-term disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, a generous 401(k) match, flexible time off, paid holidays, and paid leave programs as well as other company provided benefits.

Come discover more about Otsuka and our benefit offerings; https://www.otsuka-us.com/careers-join-otsuka .

Disclaimer:

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. Otsuka reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Otsuka is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be given consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation, if you are unable or limited in your ability to apply to this job opening as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Accommodation Request (EEAccommodations@otsuka-us.com) .

Statement Regarding Job Recruiting Fraud Scams

At Otsuka we take security and protection of your personal information very seriously. Please be aware individuals may approach you and falsely present themselves as our employees or representatives. They may use this false pretense to try to gain access to your personal information or acquire money from you by offering fictitious employment opportunities purportedly on our behalf.

Please understand, Otsuka will never ask for financial information of any kind or for payment of money during the job application process. We do not require any financial, credit card or bank account information and/or any payment of any kind to be considered for employment. We will also not offer you money to buy equipment, software, or for any other purpose during the job application process. If you are being asked to pay or offered money for equipment fees or some other application processing fee, even if claimed you will be reimbursed, this is not Otsuka. These claims are fraudulent and you are strongly advised to exercise caution when you receive such an offer of employment.

Otsuka will also never ask you to download a third-party application in order to communicate about a legitimate job opportunity. Scammers may also send offers or claims from a fake email address or from Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc, and not from an official Otsuka email address. Please take extra caution while examining such an email address, as the scammers may misspell an official Otsuka email address and use a slightly modified version duplicating letters.

To ensure that you are communicating about a legitimate job opportunity at Otsuka, please only deal directly with Otsuka through its official Otsuka Career website https://vhr-otsuka.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External .

Otsuka will not be held liable or responsible for any claims, losses, damages or expenses resulting from job recruiting scams. If you suspect a position is fraudulent, please contact Otsuka’s call center at: 800-363-5670. If you believe you are the victim of fraud resulting from a job recruiting scam, please contact the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at: https://www.ic3.gov , or your local authorities.

Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and Otsuka Precision Health, Inc. (“Otsuka”) does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any Otsuka employee directly or through Otsuka’s application portal without a valid written search agreement in place for the position will be considered Otsuka’s sole property. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired by Otsuka as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

About the Company

Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc.

Resume Resources

Free Resume Templates Free Resume Builder