Associate Director Commercial Communications

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The Associate Director Commercial Communications at Novo Nordisk in Plainsboro NJ directs Commercial Communications for disease areas, guiding plans, patient ambassador programs, marketing sponsorships, internal and field comms, and issues management while partnering with leadership and the USO team to strengthen reputation and drive results. You’ll collaborate with Marketing, Sales, Market Access, Strategy, CMR, Legal and Public Affairs and travel 10-20%; base pay 152,700 to 267,300 plus bonus and long-term incentives. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree, 12+ years in communications or pharma marketing, cross-functional leadership, agency management, and crisis expertise; cardiometabolic experience preferred. To apply, tailor your resume to show measurable media impact, budget stewardship, and agency partnerships, and highlight cross-functional collaboration and onsite readiness in Plainsboro.

About the Department         

The Communications Department brings the value of Novo Nordisk medicines and innovations to life through strategic communications that elevate our purpose, drive our business, foster our culture and enhance our reputation with patients, customers, employees and society in the US.  Communications is comprised of four distinct yet synergistic teams that work collaboratively with a focus on proactive and progressive approaches to:  Corporate Reputation & Brand; Commercial Communications; Enterprise & Leadership Communications; and Digital Channels & Content.  We provide objective strategic communications counsel, an ability to flex with shifting organizational priorities and emerging needs and a strong focus on ethics and discretion with the sensitive information we are entrusted with.  As part of Team Novo Nordisk, you will have an opportunity to work with extraordinary, energizing and diverse talent where your distinct perspectives and expertise are valued as we work together to change lives for the better.

The Position

Responsible for directing Commercial Communications strategies for disease categories within Novo Nordisk Inc., providing seasoned communications expertise and partnership to leadership and other communicators. Responsible for overseeing the development and execution of integrated communications plans, implementation of patient ambassadors engagement, marketing/sponsorship programs, internal and field communications, issues management and select corporate image enhancement opportunities targeting key external stakeholders. Serves as a communications partner to senior leaders and works with the broader USO Communications team to ensure commercial and patient communications plans include external and internal activities.

Relationships

This position reports to the Director, Commercial Communications and has management responsibility. The position will interact with top management within USO, including Marketing, Sales, Market Access, Strategy, CMR, Legal and Public Affairs. This position will also engage with various functions within NN/AS. Key external relationships could include patients and key opinion leaders in all Novo Nordisk therapeutic areas, third-party advocacy organizations, media, public relations agencies and vendors.

Essential Functions

• Commercial Communications and Leadership:
  • Oversees the development and implementation of proactive communications and media relations plans and strategies to support the business goals and strategies of Novo Nordisk, internally and externally
  • Ensures that there are strategic internal communications plans in place to support leadership and business milestones within USO
  • Drives positive media coverage for Novo Nordisk in business, financial and consumer press to enhance visibility of company and its brands in coordination with the USO Media lead
  • Develops key message platforms, prepares/coaches management for media interviews and external speaking opportunities; and works with reporters to shape/influence story coverage
  • Oversees or directs the activities of external public relations agencies
  • Oversees management of commercial communications and marketing budgets; accountable for executing programs within budget parameters across therapeutic area(s)
  • Contract negotiation
• Patient Ambassadors Strategy and Engagement:
  • Oversight of strategy and direction for patient ambassadors content and engagement based on therapeutic area needs

• Issues Management:
  • Conducts assessment of potential issues facing the commercial business and develops plans to anticipate and mitigate issues
  • Serves as subject matter expert to USO Communications in developing effective communication plans for the issue business owner
• Measurement:
  • Charts progress and adjusts plans/tactics accordingly, Holds agencies accountable for delivering on measurement targets
  • Establishes and follows through meaningful and measurable objectives for communications programs that are aligned with business goals
  • Identifies and applies the best tools and technologies to measure and analyze results

Physical Requirements

10-20% overnight travel required.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, English or a related discipline required
• Minimum of 12 years of communications, public relations or relevant marketing experience, including within the pharmaceutical industry required
• Experience in multiple cardiometabolic therapeutic areas, such as diabetes and obesity, strongly preferred
• Experience in managing and working within a public relations agency environment preferred
• Ability to work under tight timelines, in what can be a stressful environment with limited planning or preparation
• Able to work effectively in a cross-functional, collaborative environment with global as well as regional considerations and, sometimes, political implications
• Proven strategic planning, media relations and issues/crisis management skills are essential for this position
• Strong communicator with ability to negotiate, persuade and counsel effectively
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of management as well as with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds
• Understanding of social media platforms and digital strategies

The base compensation range for this position is $152,700 to $267,300. Base compensation is determined based on a number of factors. This position is also eligible for a company bonus based on individual and company performance.  
 
Novo Nordisk offers long-term incentive compensation and or company vehicles depending on the position's level or other company factors.  
 
Employees are also eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs including medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; disability insurance; 401(k) savings plan; flexible spending accounts; employee assistance program; tuition reimbursement program; and voluntary benefits such as group legal, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance and auto/home insurance. The Company also offers time off pursuant to its sick time policy, flex-able vacation policy, and parental leave policy. 

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.