Senior Manager – Scientific Communications | Pfizer | Mumbai

Job Description

Senior Manager, Emerging Markets External Communications (Asia)

Job Purpose:

The Senior Manager, Emerging Markets External Communications (Asia) will provide multi-country strategic direction for all external communications efforts in support of Pfizer in the Asia region. This includes executive support for Country Managers and local country-level external communications programs that drive business objectives and boost Pfizer’s reputation in the countries for Asia region. 
The position reports to the Director of Emerging Markets External Communications (Asia).

Role & Responsibilities:

• Overseeing multi-countries in South Asia & Southeast Asia region; providing strategic counsel and tactical communications support to multiple Country Managers, as well as country marketing teams and other functions in order to develop external communications country plans aligned with the business vision, mission, and key priorities:
  • Incorporate key business priorities in external communications.
  • Ensure alignment with Corporate Affairs (CA) functional areas.
  • Coordinate closely with Media Relations, Public Affairs & Policy, Corporate Responsibility, HR, and other key functions to develop messaging and communications documents for corporate / brand initiatives.
  • Play a key role to ensure coordination within businesses and commercial teams for major corporate and brand issues through close collaboration and support with Media Relations and other relevant functions.
• Supporting multiple business units (PBG, PGS, WRD, GPD); working collaboratively across all functions in the business units to manage proactive and reactive external communications:
  • Support country implementation and a cascade of Pfizer and Emerging Markets Narrative that aligns with the Corporate platform and Pfizer reputation drivers.
  • Drive country initiatives that tell Pfizer’s story externally and shape the dialogue on the value of innovation, partnering closely with Public Affairs & Policy, Media Relations, and other Corporate Affairs functions, in order to boost reputation and recognition.
  • Partner with commercial teams in local countries, ensuring alignment with global messaging and priorities and that local teams have the external communications support needed to execute local business strategies.
  • Coordinate with country Corporate Affairs (e.g. Public Affairs & Policy, CSR, Patient Advocacy) and regional Media Relations to support reactive communications efforts and develop proactive campaigns to boost recognition and reputation.
  • Product communications and disease awareness communications—Liaise with global PBG Category/TA communications teams and regional marketing teams to support communications plans/initiatives for priority growth products, including new product launches and disease awareness campaigns, in line with business strategies.
  • Corporate communications—Liaise with country Corporate Affairs (e.g. CSR, Patient Advocacy) and regional Media Relations to support communications plan/initiatives for country philanthropic/corporate responsibility efforts, patient-centricity efforts through engagement with patients/patient groups, and overall aligned to the global direction in the positioning of corporate reputation.
  • Provide guidance on key external communications activities for multiple Country Managers and other country leads and support content development, collaborating with other teams on content related to therapeutic areas of business focus.
  • Issues management—a key member of the rapid response team to ensure coordination within the business.
  • Support communications for local country business development and partner announcements.
  • Manage local country PR agencies and any outsourced communications support.

Tactical/ Operational

• Provides tactical inputs to facilitate the implementation of content strategy for key therapy areas across Biopharmaceuticals Group EM
• Assesses document requirements, gauging their complexity and identifying information gaps
• Work with the Launch Excellence function within Medical Excellence to facilitate relevant & timely literature search, content curation & development for launch-focused activities
• Assists in coordinating activities of other team members to ensure the quality and accuracy of their contributions

• Produces analytics reports and project scorecards as required in line with decided KPIs and shares these with the line manager
• Collates team reports for each region to share with the medical team
• Delivers assigned documents on or before the deadline, alerting project teams in a timely manner of any anticipated delays, information gaps, or potential shortcomings in quality
• Monitors milestones, identify potential risks and assist in resolving any identified issues
• Assists in improving visibility and socialization of medical content deliverables to improve overall efficiency
• Facilitate the creation of a robust feedback mechanism to ensure periodic inputs from stakeholders
• Actively participate in the daily management of the content team. Ensure that the day-to-day activities are conducted smoothly
• Under supervision from the line manager, conduct training and onboarding of newly hired colleagues

Qualifications:

Basic Qualification:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in communications, English, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience and demonstrated skills in developing, managing, and delivering communications strategies and plans in a large, complex organization.
• Scientific knowledge/background.
• Solid external communications experience.
• Strong issues management skills and experience.
• Strong ability to work effectively across functions and levels; proven collaborator.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to counsel and interface successfully with senior executives.
• Understanding how to effectively use communications to influence internal and external audiences.
• Able to align and integrate communications strategy with business strategy.
• Ability to research, develop, deliver, and measure communications strategies and plans.
• Ability to assimilate strategic information and convert it into clear and concise messages that colleagues can understand.
• Expertise in communications concepts, practices, strategies, and tactics based on an understanding of key audiences and corporate objectives.
• Able to work to tight deadlines, manage multiple projects at once and maintain professionalism under pressure.
• Strong analytical, planning, attention to detail, and prioritizing skills.
• Proactive, self-starter, and able to work independently.
• Excellent networking and relationship-building skills and the ability to interact with confidence with various levels and functions.
• Based in India.

Preferred Qualification:

• Experience in the healthcare/pharma sector is strongly preferred.
• Media relations and regional communications experience are a plus.