Associate Director, Seb Communications Lazio

Associate Director, Seb Communications
Roma
Lazio, Lazio

Reporting to the Director, Communications, Region Europe SEB (Southern Europe & Brazil), this role is responsible for delivering and driving communications activities in Italy to support Vertex's licensed cystic fibrosis portfolio and its investigational cell and genetic therapies, with a primary focus on hemoglobinopathies (sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia) at this time.

Based in Rome, Italy, the person will work closely with regional, international and global corporate communications teams, as well as cross-functional partners in Italy.

Key responsibilities:

- Lead the development and execution of an insights-led communications strategy to support the licensed portfolio and pipeline to establish Vertex as a leader in Italy

- Ensure the strategy, and its execution, are completed in full alignment with international / global corporate communications and the SEB region cross functional partners to ensure consistent messaging across media, policymakers, patient groups, HCPs and payers

- Own strong relationships with influential journalists to drive media relations around strategic regulatory milestones, data disclosures and other relevant corporate milestones in Italy

- Lead on the capture and reporting of relevant media insights, acting as a link between the local news agenda and the cross functional teams

- Develop strong working relationship with Italian cross functional colleagues to ensure materials and communications are tailored to the needs of Italian media, policymakers, patient groups, HCPs and payers and reach them effectively

- Partner with colleagues on the identification and execution of speaker opportunities in Italy to shape the external environment

- Work closely with senior management to identify and train local spokespeople

- Lead issues mitigation and management in Italy and ensure full transparency with the international and global teams

- Support international and own Italian internal communications initiatives

- Develop and implement a compliant plan for social and digital media engagement in Italy

- Work with the regional communications director to assess local communication agency support and, where appropriate, manage this relationship

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Experience and Skills:

- Strong understanding of the Italian pharmaceutical/biotech business model including regulatory, reimbursement and market access environment and processes

- Experience in developing and implementing Italian external communications plans for medicines at all stages of the life cycle, including the reimbursement process

- Strong collaboration, negotiation and influencing skills; strong interpersonal skills; a team player

- Ability to understand and accurately communicate complex science

- Demonstrated experience in media relations (traditional and social), issues management; knowledge of healthcare and industry media and reporting trends

- Demonstrated knowledge of regulations and principles specific to communications for a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company

- Experience working successfully with patient organizations

- Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills

- Experience managing multiple projects (timelines, budgets, priorities) simultaneously; flexibility and results-oriented focus are essential

- Ability to interact with senior management and high-profile experts appropriately, with confidence and ease

- Ability to deliver results with limited direction and guidance and on tight deadlines; a self-starter; curious with a strong learning agility; ability to succeed in a fast-paced environment with multiple, competing priorities

- A desire to work in the corporate culture of a highly innovative company aimed at redefining health, and transforming lives with new medicines;

- Team player, flexibility to pitch-in on various projects for other departments

- Willingness to think creatively and test new and unproven communications and advocacy initiatives, tools, etc.

;

- Operationally excellent and resilient in the context of a rapidly changing environment

- Organized with systematic approach to prioritization

- Typically requires a BA degree in communications, liberal arts, business or science-oriented field (or International Equivalent) proven relevant experience, which includes solid healthcare public relations experience

- PR agency experience or in-house at another pharmaceutical/biotech company required

- Experience in rare diseases

- Fluency in Italian and English, written and spoken

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**Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.