Associate Director, Communications-US Medical Affairs

Associate Director, Communications-US Medical Affairs

The primary functions of the role are to develop and execute communication strategies for assigned US Medical Affairs (USMA) Business Units while also collaborating with the Director, Communications for US Medical Affairs and US Medical Operations to pull through key USMA/US Medical Operations (USMO) communications and culture initiatives. The individual will be responsible for implementing US Medical Affairs (USMA) internal leadership communication for assigned therapeutic areas, supporting and leading overall communication strategy development, along with the completion of culture initiatives, and managing the scope, planning, and oversight of projects that support the assigned Business Unit and will also include supporting the execution of pan-USMA and pan-USMO priorities. This role partners closely with the assigned Business Unit Vice Presidents (VP) and is within the US Medical Operations (USMO) team reporting to the Director, Communications and Culture. Business Units include the Therapeutic Area, Value & Access, and Operations functional pillars within USMA.

Responsibilities include:  executing strategy and tactics aligned with the overarching USMA and USMO communications, coordinating with cross-functional partners to prioritize and implement culture planning, continuously improving processes and procedures for more efficient and effective solutions, and monitoring initiatives to ensure optimal success. Partner with internal teams and external partners in planning and executing assigned Business Unit meetings and events and coordinating efforts with the Director, Communications for USMA/USMO meetings and events.

Without direct influence, navigate competing priorities, successfully engage, and influence multiple stakeholders to integrate / prioritize wide-ranging timelines and business deliverables; consistently weave USMA and USMO priorities throughout assigned Therapeutic areas for culture, communication, branding, and recognition to foster team morale and motivation. 

Responsibilities:

• Work cross-functionally with TA/Business Unit Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and AbbVie internal partners to create, socialize, optimize culture/morale/engagement, and implement USMA initiatives, including but not limited to Therapeutic Area/Business Unit: Town Halls, National Meetings, and Award & Recognition programs, annual senior leadership initiatives. Ensures SLT program activities are tracked and reported, highlighting potential delays, risks, and providing mitigation plans.  Drive project management of key meetings and initiatives.
• Partners with the Director, Communications USMA/USMO and the Director of Development, Communications and Culture to coordinate and implement annual USMA communication plan, including drafting and distributing of communications to optimize engagement, as well as ensure clear direction and alignment.  Supports USMA communications KPI strategy at the TA/Business Unit Level and tracks metrics for reporting/monitoring effectiveness
• Responsible for the creation and delivery of Culture Initiatives within assigned Business Unit/Therapeutic Area including executing strategic USMA/USMO cultural initiatives that foster a psychologically safe, inclusive, and collaborative organization which is a preferred destination for talented contributors
• Understand the business objectives and leadership perspective to draft high quality written communications.
• Work closely with Medical Operations leadership team to support and enable pan-USMO and pan-USMA initiatives within assigned Therapeutic Areas.
• May be Key member of the USMA NMM Planning Committee – providing a Therapeutic Area/Business Unit point-of-view, supporting communications needs, partnering with the Change Agent Network (CAN) team and external and internal partners to ensure key milestones are achieved for identified tasks. May also serve in a project management role within the NMM committee as needed.
• Partners with peers and Operations leadership to identify opportunities, challenges and operational alignment in scenario planning and works with teams to implement process improvements. 

• Advanced degree or Bachelor’s required, degrees preferred in public affairs, integrated marketing, communications, journalism or equivalent 8 plus years.  Experience should also include at least 3 years of direct program management or at least 5 years of functional roles with informal program management responsibilities
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• Ability to think strategically and cross-functionally across TA program to identify opportunities and make connections to advance business deliverables.
• Applied knowledge of program management tools and processes (e.g., management of integration, scope, time, cost, quality, human resources, communications, risk, and procurement).
• Consistently communicates to an executive level in an accurate, regular, concise, and inclusive manner.
• Extensive experience with performance measurement and communication (e.g., metrics, dashboards).
• Demonstrated ability to lead without direct authority, ability to excel in a matrixed environment and independently drive to deliver on business objectives with senior business unit leaders and teams
• Candidate should be a proactive, enjoy bringing definition and scope to vague problem statements, and be willing to strive for the best. Candidate should have advanced communication skills and enjoy a fast-paced environment Must be able to manage multiple tasks and have excellent organizational skills.  Presentation skills beneficial.
• Manage, prioritize, and coordinate communications / Master Calendar, operations, and internal stakeholders (cross-functional support functions) for assigned therapeutic areas

• Preferred:
• MBA or master’s degree or equivalent, emphasis on communications or journalism is ideal
• Demonstrated ability to clearly and confidently articulate concepts for a broad audience
• Previous In-house Marketing, Project management, or Training Leadership Role
• Project management certificate or related experience preferred
• Experience facilitating live and virtual discussions with teams and leaders
• Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Microsoft teams) Proficiency:  intermediate to advanced

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer including disability/vets. It is AbbVie’s policy to employ qualified persons of the greatest ability without discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, Armed Forces service medal veteran or active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran or a person’s relationship or association with a protected veteran, including spouses and other family members, or any other protected group status. We will take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified minorities, women, individuals with a disability, disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, Armed Forces service medal veterans or active-duty wartime or campaign badge veterans. The Affirmative Action Plan is available for viewing in the Human Resources office during regular business hours.