Associate Director, Strategic Communications - Anterior Segment/Ophthalmology

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. 

This position leads the development and implementation of the Strategic Marketing Communications for the US Anterior Segment Ophthalmology business through External Expert (EE) Identification and Development, advisory feedback activities and non-personal promotion opportunities.  This position will build relationships with External Experts and interact with national and regional societies and organizations to gain insight into the market and competition. Oversees key customer relationships, including development of advisors, consultants, and customers. Responsible for supporting marketing communications for the Dry Eye, Presbyopia and launch products within the Anterior Segment.

As a member of the marketing team, this individual will align with US brand strategy and collaborate with Sales and Marketing stakeholders in both the management and development of EEs, advisors, and consultants.  Responsible for communicating key strategies and messages to sales organization, while working closely with sales & marketing to identify and cultivate key accounts and thought leaders.

This individual develops and implements promotional education through working collaboratively with Executive Director on speaker identification and speaker training.  Provides content feedback for peer-to-peer initiatives and promotional programs.

Maintains responsibility for: identifying agency and vendor collaborative opportunities; management of agency and vendor relationships to deliver upon content output; meeting deadlines and budget adherence. 

Ensures adherence to legal guidelines with all medical education, scientific literature and other tools to educate physician community. Effectively maintains budgets and maintains financial accountability.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• EE/Key Customer Development - Leads the development and implementation of the Strategic Marketing Functions for the US Anterior Segment business unit through External Expert Identification and Development, advisory feedback activities and non-personal promotion opportunities.  Aligns with US brand strategy and collaborate with Sales and Marketing stakeholders in both the management and development of EEs, advisors, and consultants.  Directs and coordinates activities to ensure achievement of company objectives as well as resolve problems; work with other departments to accomplish the same.
• Market/Competitive Insights and Coordination at Major Meetings - Responsible for Strategic Communications Activities at major Ophthalmology meetings including sponsorship negotiation and execution, peer to peer education, advisory feedback, and EE engagement and advocacy. Coordinates interaction with Senior Management for EEs and key market influencers.  Coordinates all planning and organization with cross-functional peers during comprehensive OPH meetings (HE, ASCRS, WIO, AAO) with a focus on the Anterior Segment portfolio and ensuring alignment and execution across the entire care portfolio engagement plan.
• Financial/Business Acumen - Develop, analyze and monitor Strategic Communications budgets and expenses. Identifies changes in market conditions, which would lead to favorable/unfavorable variance to budget/forecast.  Identifies opportunities for incremental spend to drive brand growth.  Maintains adherence to budget and conducts quarterly variance analysis.

ONGOING RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Works closely with the broader Commercial team to ensure alignment with evolving brand needs and strategic and tactical plans.
• Oversees development and execution of Anterior Segment Consulting AOP by working with appropriate CCG and agency personnel.
• Execute conference strategy to include negotiation, internal systems processing, collaboration with internal stakeholders, and execution of all sponsorship deliverables and marketing strategies
• Collaborates cross functionally with Eye Care Marketing team, IBTs, Sales Training, Medical Affairs, Legal, Compliance, and Specialty Rx Sales Team Leadership.
• Develop and execute customer-facing strategic initiatives, including identifying HCP partnership opportunities, building EE engagement plans and managing advisory boards.
• Attends key industry meetings and stays abreast of Portfolio science via medical and scientific literature, scientific meetings, and symposia.
• Takes ownership of HCP consultant engagement and National, Regional, and Promotional speaker symposia by identifying appropriate speakers for speaker engagements such as Product Theaters, unbranded speaking opportunities etc.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) required, in related field, from four-year College or university
• 10 years’ experience in Eye Care or Health Care industry
• 2 years health care field sales management experience preferred
• Previous Strategic Communications or KOL relationship management experience preferred
• Experience with agency and vendor management

Essential Skills, Experience, and Competencies (includes Licenses, Credentials)

• 5+ years of project management skills with the ability to work in a matrixed organization
• Ability to travel, a minimum of 60%, including some weekends.
• Intermediate level of proficiency with MS Project, Excel, Visio, PowerPoint and SharePoint.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with many levels of employees of various disciplines within various departments and all other internal and external contacts.
• Excellent time management, organizational, and prioritization skills and ability to balance multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated experience in presenting to and engaging with Senior Executives
• Demonstrated effective presentation skills – including podium presence
• Must be a self-directed individual that acts as a team player
• Superior analytical and forward-thinking skills
• Ability to drive a car and possess a valid and current driver’s license

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.​

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​

• This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs. ​

• This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs​

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law. ​

AbbVie is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives, serving our community and embracing diversity and inclusion.  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 protected veteran, or any other legally protected group status.