Head of Early Scientific Engagement and Communications

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to turning innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families. Keeping our focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conducting our business with ethics and integrity enables us to improve the health of people throughout the world. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.com .

This position is based in Northbrook, Illinois. Remote work from certain states may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines. Candidates interested in remote work are encouraged to apply.

Purpose and Scope:

The Head of Early Scientific Engagement and Communications will lead the strategic development and execution of scientific communications for value creation, ensuring alignment and consistency in early-stage data dissemination reporting to the SVP, Global Head of Quantitative Sciences & Evidence Generation (QSEQ). This role is positioned within QSEQ, which houses data, analytics, evidence generation, and medical writing teams across the full pipeline. By embedding this function within QSEQ, Astellas ensures a data-driven, evidence-backed approach that integrates biostatistics, real-world evidence (RWE), epidemiology, and medical writing to provide a streamlined, science-first communication strategy for early assets. This allows for early-phase clinical insights, real-world data, and quantitative evidence to be effectively synthesized into scientific messaging, strengthening both internal decision-making and external engagement.

A core focus of this role is to initiate scientific narratives beginning at discovery working closely with the Research and Development Heads leveraging existing Scientific Platforms and processes developed by Scientific Publications. Additionally, the role will drive early data dissemination, providing strategic guidance to Asset Maximization Teams (AMTs) to ensure the early-phase portfolio is positioned effectively. Collaboration with Corporate Communications will be essential to align external messaging for early-stage assets, including Investor Calls and corporate announcements.

This role will work in close partnership with Scientific Publications, ensuring that the scientific communication strategy for early-stage assets is seamlessly integrated within the broader pipeline strategy.

Additionally, this role will oversee early-phase publication planning and execution, working closely with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to inform publication strategies, ensuring scientific readiness and alignment with evolving data. The role will also utilize established scientific platforms to enhance publication strategies and optimize content for potential re-use across multiple channels.

While initially a hands-on role, this position will define and expand a team of Scientific Communications & Content Leads as the function grows, ensuring a scalable, high-impact early scientific engagement strategy that integrates seamlessly across all stakeholders.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Early-Stage Scientific Engagement & Strategic Communications

Lead the development of scientific narratives for early-stage assets in partnership with Research and Development Heads, ensuring alignment with broader scientific strategy and corporate narrative.

Drive strategic scientific messaging from drug discovery through Proof of Concept (POC).

Provide strategic guidance to Asset Maximization Teams (AMTs) on early data dissemination, ensuring alignment with asset development and communication plans.

Partner with Corporate Communications to integrate early-stage scientific messaging into Investor Calls, corporate announcements, and external engagement strategies.

Collaborate with Scientific Publications to align on scientific communication platforms, ensuring a unified but distinct strategy for the early pipeline.

Integrate early-phase scientific communication with data-driven insights by leveraging QSEQ’s biostatistics, real-world evidence (RWE), epidemiology, and medical writing teams to create a comprehensive, evidence-backed communication strategy.

Support cross-functional data interpretation and strategic messaging by aligning biostatistics, real-world data, and quantitative evidence from QSEQ with value creation scientific communication needs.

Early Pipeline Publications & Content Strategy

Inform latest publication plans to ensure early-phase assets are strategically positioned in scientific discourse.

Develop and implement publication strategies in collaboration with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for early-phase pipeline publications.

Leverage established scientific platforms to enhance publications and optimize content for potential re-use.

Ensure publication strategies align with evolving scientific data and early clinical development priorities.

Content Development & Scientific Communications Support

Develop centralized scientific content for early-phase assets to support Medical Information and Medical Education functions.

Support Medical Information content review for early pipeline scientific accuracy and consistency.

Guide digital publication enhancements and publication extenders for early-phase assets.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

Ensure close collaboration with Scientific Publications while maintaining a distinct focus on early-stage asset communications.

Engage with clinical, regulatory, and commercial teams to ensure that early-phase scientific insights are strategically positioned across functions.

Represent early scientific engagement strategy in internal and external discussions, contributing to strategic alignment across pipeline development efforts.

Team Development & Future Growth

Initially, execute key responsibilities independently while establishing a strategic framework for a growing team.

Define team structure and capabilities, leading hiring and development as the function expands.

Establish best practices, scalable processes, and innovative approaches for early-phase scientific engagement and communication.

Qualifications:

Required

Advanced degree (MS, PhD, MD, or PharmD) in Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field.

10 years of experience in scientific communications, medical affairs, or publications within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.

Strong expertise in early-phase drug development, scientific engagement, and strategic communications.

Experience in publication planning and execution, particularly in the context of early-stage assets.

Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams including research, clinical development, regulatory affairs, and corporate communications.

Excellent scientific writing, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Proven experience collaborating with senior leadership and influencing cross-functional stakeholders, including clinical development, regulatory, and commercial teams.

Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex quantitative insights into actionable strategies.

Strong leadership skills, with the ability to drive organizational change, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Preferred:

Preferred 15 years of experience in scientific communications, medical affairs, or publications within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.

Breath of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities, including the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and deliver impactful value

Flexibility to travel on as needed basis, including potentially international travel

Publications vendor management and/or group/team leader experience

Experience in working in cross-functional agile teams

Experience working in a global setting

Experience developing and implementing process/governance (e.g. Business Process Owner) and training guidance related to scientific publications and/or systems.

Salary Range

$230K – $285K (NOTE: Final salary could be more or less, based on experience)

Benefits:

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation, Sick time, plus national holidays including Heritage Days, and Summer and Winter Breaks

401(k) match and annual company contribution

Company paid life insurance

Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions

Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions

Referral bonus program

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Category Quantitative Sciences & Evidence Generation

Astellas is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.

EOE including Disability/Protected Veterans