Senior Manager, Scientific Training (Remote)

The Senior Manager, Scientific Training is a key resource in the Avanir Pharmaceuticals organization and maintains an expert level of current scientific knowledge for relevant compounds and disease states. Through the development of training programs and materials, the incumbent will communicate relevant, fair and balanced scientific and clinical information about Avanir's products and therapeutic areas of interest; solicits feedback from MSLs/HOLs and from Medical Affairs Leadership to ensure needs are being met; leverages a variety of communication channels to provide training; increases the proficiency of internal colleagues regarding the Avanir's marketed products, therapeutic areas of interest, pipeline compounds, and competitor data. The Senior Manager, Scientific Training will operate in full compliance with all external guidelines related to professional integrity, as well as all relevant Avanir SOPs.

Essential Job Functions:

• Responsible for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of comprehensive training curricula for Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) and Health Outcomes Liaisons (HOLs), in coordination with the Director of Scientific Communications.
• Creation, implementation and regular update of materials for MSL/HOL external engagement and for development of educational/training materials on topics including disease area landscape, product-specific information, pipeline information, health economics, soft skills, business skills, and core competencies, for optimal effectiveness of Field Medical and Medical Affairs.
• Formulate training guidelines, expectations, credentialing and hands on training to support strategic education for Medical Affairs. Ensures that both content of programs and continuity of development methods are congruous with the Organization's strategy and plan. Ensures that appropriate employee assessments are in place and conducted on a regular basis.
• Responsible for the logistics of the training process, including planning for training delivery, communication, scheduling of meetings with presenters/subject matter experts and audience, and collaboration with cross-functional partners and external parties.
• Develops and presents updates to internal stakeholders on competitive landscape and recent literature on therapeutic areas of interest.
• Solicits feedback from MSLs/HOLs and Field Medical leadership to identify training needs, ensure that training needs are being met, and plan for the most appropriate educational programs.
• Ensures all training materials and externally-facing materials go through the Medical/Legal/ Regulatory (MLR) process before implementation for training or scientific exchange and ensures that appropriate documentation and tracking of training activities.
• Participation in field visits with MSL/HOL new hires and team members to ascertain effectiveness of training programs and identify areas of need.
• Leverages a variety of communication channels for internal training and external scientific communication needs.
• Ability to effectively manage medical communications agencies and/or consultants to ensure the successful design, development and roll-out of training programs and projects.
• Ensures compliance with all relevant SOPs, policies and procedures.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Education/ Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in a health-care discipline or basic science (i.e. PharmD, PhD, etc.)
• 8+ years of working experience within the pharmaceutical industry or supporting industries (i.e. Healthcare consulting, Communication agency). Prior field based Medical Affairs experience is preferred.
• Flexible, with positive attitude, strong ability to multitask, prioritize projects effectively and communicate at all levels within the company
• Prior experience in teaching or training.
• Previous MSL field activity required. An established track record of effective high-quality scientific communications outputs.
• The ability to translate and effectively communicate complex scientific data concisely and understandably for varying audiences.
• Ability and desire to work collaboratively and experience working cross-functionally with key stakeholders.
• Self-motivated, team player, able to take initiative and act independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong project management skills with proven track record to deliver multiple projects in time and excellent quality.
• In collaboration with the Director Scientific Communications, able to manage budget for relevant training/education activities and external expert engagement strategies.
• Proficiency with MS Office (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, etc.).
• U p to 40% travel as needed

Physical Requirements:

This position primarily works in an office environment. It requires the ability to sit or stand for long periods of time and frequent walking. Daily use of a computer, phone, office equipment and other computing and digital devices is required. May be required to stand for extended periods when facilitating meetings or walking in the facilities. Some local travel may be necessary, so the ability to travel by plane, operate a motor vehicle and maintain a valid Driver's license and/or effectively navigate public transportation is required. While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee must be able to read and respond to interoffice communications as well as effectively participate in meetings. The employee is often required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to lift up to 20 lbs., pull, push, carry, handle or feel. The employee is required to carry, handle items, reach with arms and hands, to stoop, kneel, or crouch; talk or hear. Mental demands may require prolonged concentration, reading comprehension, understanding and interpretation of concepts, ideas and philosophies. The physical demands of the position described herein are essential functions of the job and employees must be able to successfully perform these tasks for extended periods. Reasonable accommodations may be made for those individuals with real or perceived disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job described unless such accommodations would cause Avanir an undue burden.

Work Environment:

While performing the responsibilities of the job, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the job holder will encounter. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job unless such accommodations would cause Avanir an undue burden. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving carts, mechanical equipment (copiers, computers, coffee machines) and vehicles. May be subject to smells and odors. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. The passage of employees through the work area is average and normal.

EEO Statement:

As an equal opportunity employer, Avanir Pharmaceuticals is committed to providing all applicants and employees with equal access to employment opportunities, regardless of sex, race, age, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, pregnancy, religion, genetic information, sexual orientation transgender status, gender identity, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. All Avanir Pharmaceuticals employees, officers, principles, agents, and representatives are expressly prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. Consistent with federal, state, and local requirements, Avanir Pharmaceuticals will reasonably accommodate any qualified individual with a disability if such accommodation would allow the individual to perform the essential functions or the job, unless doing so would create an undue hardship.

Avanir Pharmaceuticals shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR-60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of protected veteran status or disability, and require affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.