📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Director, Medical and Scientific Communications
🔹 Company: Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.
🔹 Location: Marlborough, Massachusetts, United States (Remote also considered)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Medical Affairs, Pharmaceutical Industry
🔹 Date Posted: April 9, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with remote flexibility
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing scientific communications and publications to support Medical Affairs objectives
- Overseeing project review processes, developing internal reports, and coordinating projects
- Providing strategic support for the planning and development of abstracts, posters, and manuscripts
- Collaborating cross-functionally to create and manage medical materials for external use
- Representing the company at key congresses and maintaining relationships with external authors and vendors
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects and vendors simultaneously.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Provide vendor management timeline and communication oversight for publication projects
✅ Monitor and ensure compliance with corporate policies, external guidelines, and project-specific guidelines
✅ Lead review and approval of scientific publishing projects
✅ Work with the publication planning team to develop and execute publication plans
✅ Oversee the ongoing management of the Scientific Platform for assigned compounds
✅ Develop and maintain relationships with external authors through engagement with ongoing publication activities
✅ Establish, maintain, and expand business relationships with all functional areas collaborating on projects
✅ Provide strategic and tactical support necessary to achieve project execution
✅ Hold self and team members accountable to agreed-upon project dates and negotiate with functional areas on project outcomes and deliverables
✅ Lead, plan, and execute the creation of medical materials for external use
✅ Attend product and therapeutic area key congresses from a booth materials standpoint
ASSUMPTION: This role may require occasional travel to attend congresses and meetings.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field required. Advanced scientific/healthcare degree (PharmD, PhD) required.
Experience: Minimum 5-7 years of pharmaceutical industry-based publication planning and execution experience required. Experience in project management and vendor management required.
Required Skills:
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Flexibility, positive attitude, strong ability to multi-task, prioritize projects effectively, and communicate at all levels within the company
- Effective attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy
- Ability to identify key issues, creatively and strategically overcome challenges or obstacles, and stay calm under pressure
- High level of integrity, confidentiality, and accountability
- Sound analytical thinking, planning, prioritization, and execution skills
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with PubsHub electronic project management software or database management
- Knowledge of pharmaceutical industry laws, regulations, and guidelines regarding publications
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with relevant industry experience and a strong background in scientific communications and publications are preferred.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $148,800 to $186,000 annually. Base salary is part of the total rewards package, which also includes merit-based salary increases, short incentive plan participation, eligibility for the 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurances, and leaves provided in line with the work state.
Benefits:
- Merit-Based Salary Increases
- Short Incentive Plan Participation
- 401(k) Plan
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Flexible Paid Time Off
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Sick Time
Working Hours: Full-time position with flexible remote work arrangements. Occasional travel may be required.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. operates in the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing industry, focusing on delivering therapeutic and scientific breakthroughs in areas of critical patient need, including oncology, urology, women’s health, rare disease, cell and gene therapies, and psychiatry and neurology.
Company Size: Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Founded: Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. was founded in 2023 through the consolidation of Sumitomo Pharma’s U.S. affiliate companies.
Company Description:
- Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) is a science-based, technology-driven biopharmaceutical company focused on delivering therapeutic and scientific breakthroughs in areas of critical patient need.
- SMPA was formed through the consolidation of Sumitomo Pharma’s U.S. affiliate companies, including Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sumitomo Pharma America Holdings, Inc., Sumitomo Pharma Oncology, Inc., Sumitovant Biopharma, Inc., Myovant Sciences, Inc., Urovant Sciences, Inc., and Enzyvant Therapeutics, Inc.
- SMPA is a Sumitomo Pharma company.
Company Specialties:
- Oncology
- Urology
- Women’s Health
- Rare Disease
- Cell and Gene Therapies
- Psychiatry and Neurology
Company Website: http://us.sumitomo-pharma.com
ASSUMPTION: Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. is a dynamic and growing company with a strong focus on innovation and patient care.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, offering significant responsibility and the opportunity to make a substantial impact on the company’s medical and scientific communications efforts.
Reporting Structure: The Associate Director, Medical and Scientific Communications reports directly to the Senior Director, Medical and Scientific Communications and works closely with the Medical Affairs team and other functional areas within the organization.
Work Arrangement: This role offers a hybrid work arrangement, with a combination of on-site and remote work. Occasional travel may be required to attend congresses and meetings.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to a Director or higher-level position within the Medical Affairs organization
- Expansion of responsibilities and leadership opportunities as the company continues to grow and evolve
- Broad exposure to various therapeutic areas and functional teams, fostering a well-rounded skill set and understanding of the business
ASSUMPTION: This role provides a strong foundation for career growth and development within the Medical Affairs organization and the broader pharmaceutical industry.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. has a modern, collaborative office space in Marlborough, Massachusetts, with state-of-the-art facilities and amenities to support employee productivity and well-being.
Office Location(s): 84 Waterford Drive, Marlborough, Massachusetts 01752, US
Geographic Context:
- Marlborough is a suburban city located about 30 miles west of Boston, offering a mix of urban and rural living with easy access to outdoor recreation, cultural attractions, and entertainment options
- The area has a diverse and growing job market, with a strong presence of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies
- Massachusetts is known for its robust healthcare industry, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development
Work Schedule: Full-time position with flexible remote work arrangements. Occasional travel may be required.
ASSUMPTION: The Marlborough office location offers a convenient and accessible work environment, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development in the surrounding area.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-depth behavioral and situational interview with the hiring manager and potential team members
- Final interview with the Senior Director, Medical and Scientific Communications and other key stakeholders
- Background check and reference check
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills, both written and verbal
- Project management and organizational skills
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and the specific therapeutic areas mentioned in the job description
- Showcase your ability to manage multiple projects and vendors simultaneously
- Prepare examples of your past publications and communications projects to discuss during the interview
ATS Keywords: Scientific communications, publication planning, project management, vendor management, medical affairs, pharmaceutical industry, medical and scientific communications, abstracts, posters, manuscripts, compliance, strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's communication skills, project management abilities, attention to detail, and cultural fit with the company.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management software (e.g., PubsHub, Asana, Trello)
- Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack)
- Statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, R)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in relevant software tools and technologies is required for this role, with a focus on project management, communication, and data analysis.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Patient-centricity: Putting patients first in all aspects of our work
- Integrity: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all our actions
- Collaboration: Working together to achieve common goals and drive success
- Innovation: Pursuing creative solutions to challenges and opportunities
- Accountability: Taking responsibility for our actions and delivering on our commitments
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic environment
- High degree of autonomy and independence
- Strong emphasis on collaboration and teamwork
- Focus on results and delivery
- Continuous learning and development
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you ensure that your work aligns with Sumitomo Pharma America's patient-centricity value?
- Describe a time when you had to manage multiple projects and vendors simultaneously. How did you ensure that all projects stayed on track and met their deadlines?
- How do you approach continuous learning and development in your role?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who demonstrate a strong fit with Sumitomo Pharma America's values and work style will be most successful in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and vendors simultaneously may require long hours and tight deadlines
- Occasional travel may be required to attend congresses and meetings
- Working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment may be challenging for candidates who prefer a more structured or predictable work environment
- Candidates may face competition from other highly qualified professionals in the pharmaceutical industry
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to manage multiple priorities, work efficiently under pressure, and adapt to a dynamic work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Senior Manager, Medical Communications position, but with a greater focus on publication planning and management
- Compared to a Medical Science Liaison role, this position has a broader scope and requires more strategic planning and project management skills
- Career progression in this role may lead to a Director or higher-level position within the Medical Affairs organization, with potential expansion into other functional areas
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider their long-term career goals and how this role aligns with their desired career path when comparing it to similar positions.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive publication plan for a newly approved drug, including abstracts, posters, and manuscripts
- Managing a team of external vendors to ensure the timely and accurate completion of publication projects
- Creating and updating internal reports on the status and timelines of publication projects, as well as coordinating projects with cross-functional teams
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to provide specific examples of their past publication planning and management projects during the interview process.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30-60-90 days?
- How does this role collaborate with other functional areas within the Medical Affairs organization and the broader company?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within this role and the Medical Affairs organization?
- How does Sumitomo Pharma America support work-life balance for its employees?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare to succeed in them?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should use the interview process to gain a deeper understanding of the role's responsibilities, the company culture, and the opportunities for professional growth and development.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, with a focus on publication planning, project management, and vendor management
- Prepare examples of your past publications and communications projects to discuss during the interview
- Research Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. and the pharmaceutical industry to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its competitive landscape
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application and express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
