Director, Congress Strategy and Planning

Job Overview

The Director, Medical Congress Strategy and Planning will be responsible for leading the strategic planning and execution of medical activities at congresses for all therapeutic areas. This role involves collaboration with various cross-functional teams to ensure impactful representation at industry events, including the development of scientific symposia and other medical initiatives. The position requires a strong background in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in congress strategy and scientific content. The position will focus on pre-planning, strategic targeting, diversified engagement, efficient tool utilization, maximizing on-site time, and thoughtful debrief and follow-up, ensuring a comprehensive and impactful congress strategy. The individual will strategize and develop congress capabilities to ensure alignment with scientific narrative and overall Medical Affairs strategy, lead coordination, planning, and execution of all congress related tactics with all Medical Affairs functional areas, plan, and lead and execute Sponsored Medical Initiatives in partnership with cross functional teams. The individual will lead pre-congress planning sessions and post-congress information sharing meetings for Medical Affairs function in order to inform internal stakeholders across the organization on Medical Affairs activities at all major congresses. Partner with cross functional stakeholders to develop annual budget for MA congress activities.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Works with cross-functional stakeholders across functional areas as well as commercial for all Congresses across all therapeutic areas.
• Manages vendors for congresses ensuring quality and budgetary requirements are met
• Leads implementation and support the design of Medical Affairs booths at congresses, including working within the Medical and Scientific Communications team on external content including innovative presentations and materials and interactive Medical Affairs solutions.
• Gathers and shares key insights to enable knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
• Oversees on-site activities at congresses to ensure execution.
• Leads the development and implementation of a comprehensive communications plan for congresses, aligning with stakeholders for effective messaging and collection of achievement and learnings.
• Stays updated on industry trends, best practices, and emerging innovations in congresses.
• Manages external vendor
• The individual will be able to manage multiple projects
• Leads the strategic planning and execution of medical activities at congresses for all therapeutic areas

Key Core competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as the position will interface with key opinion leaders and a wide range of internal employees.
• Ability to effectively communicate, collaborate and deliver excellent work in a fast-paced, and rapidly changing dynamic company.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills, with experience in conflict management and relationship building.
• Ability to analyze complex issues critically and develop realistic and accomplishable plans and solutions, familiarity with the use and measurement of Key Performance Indicators.
• One-Team attitude with the capability to work cross-functionally with peer, and other colleagues, as appropriate.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
• Advanced scientific/healthcare degree (PharmD, PhD)
• 15 years (w/o Masters) or 8 – 12 years (with Master’s) of relevant experience in biotech or pharmaceutical industry
• Experience leading in a matrix team environment is considered a plus.
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office, etc.), knowledge of database management (Veeva Vault, etc.), and other enterprise platforms required for business.
• Capable of translating brand goals and objectives into actionable medical and scientific strategies.
• Proven track record of detailed, medically accurate, and scientifically relevant writing and review skills in line with compliance requirements.
• Experience representing a broad range of stakeholders in the development and communication of medical activities and plans.
• Experience in project management.
• Successful record of creating and managing complex project plans, timelines, budgets and critical paths.
• Extensive experience in leading congress planning and digital scientific content.
• Experience in developing and implementing a comprehensive Medical Affairs congress strategy.
• Ability to analyze and summarize complex scientific and medical data into impactful deliverables.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Ability to effectively network and partner with internal and external stakeholders.
• Detailed understanding of industry regulations and practices relating to Medical Affairs.
• Ability to travel to congress across all therapeutic areas.

The base salary range for this role is $201,600 to $252,00.   Base salary is part of our total rewards package which also includes the opportunity for merit-based salary increases, short incentive plan participation, eligibility for our 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances and leaves provided in line with your work state.  Our robust time-off policy includes flexible paid time off, 11 paid holidays plus additional time off for a shut-down period during the last week of December, 80 hours of paid sick time upon hire and each year thereafter.  Total compensation, including base salary to be offered, will depend on elements unique to each candidate, including candidate experience, skills, education and other factors permitted by law.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Confidential Data: All information (written, verbal, electronic, etc.) that an employee encounters is considered confidential.

Compliance: Achieve and maintain Compliance with all applicable regulatory, legal and operational rules and procedures, by ensuring that all plans and activities for and on behalf of Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) and affiliates are carried out with the "best" industry practices and the highest ethical standards.

Mental/Physical Requirements: Fast paced environment handling multiple demands. Must be able to exercise appropriate judgment as necessary. Requires a high level of initiative and independence. Excellent written and oral communication skills required. Requires ability to use a personal computer for extended periods of time.

Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.