Assistant Representative (Senior Director) – Japan

Industry:

Company: Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America

Overview

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is seeking an Assistant Representative (Sr. Director) for the International Advocacy team to support its international efforts.

This position is located in PhRMA’s Tokyo, Japan office.

The Assistant Representative (Sr. Director) will:

• In consultation with the PhRMA Japan Representative, lead the coordination between PhRMA’s Japan office and PhRMA’s headquarters office in Washington, the Japan-Based Executive Committee (JBEC), PhRMA Japan committees and outside stakeholders.
• Collaborate with PhRMA colleagues and member company representatives to identify policy issues that could impact the industry in Japan positively or negatively and develop and implement aligned advocacy plans to address such issues.
• Support the planning and play a lead role in executing advocacy programs in Japan, under the advisement of senior PhRMA team members and senior executives from member companies.
• Develop materials (e.g., briefing papers, talking points, presentations and press releases) to support: (1) PhRMA’s advocacy with the Japanese and U.S. governments, media and key opinion leaders; (2) Visits by senior PhRMA team members and member company executives including for PhRMA Days and the Biopharmaceutical CEO Roundtable; and (3) Media outreach including the PhRMA Days press conference and semi-annual JBEC chair press conference.
• Build and maintain collaborative, productive relationships with the senior members of PhRMA and member companies, including JBEC Presidents, to advance the industry’s policy positions.
• Provide guidance, advice and policy support to the PhRMA Japan Representative on Japan office priorities. Maintain centralized knowledge of all advocacy programs and coordinate execution and follow-up. Develop talking points and briefing materials for external and internal meetings (e.g., Japan Work Group, JBEC and Communications Committee meetings).
• Work closely with PhRMA DC colleagues and the PhRMA Japan Representative on the planning and execution of PhRMA Days.
  1. Attend regular meetings with senior representatives of the PhRMA chair’s team. Provide post-meeting follow-up communications and materials as required.
  2. Draft, edit and update backgrounders, meeting memos, presentations, talking points and media statements. Coordinate with relevant PhRMA Japan committees on materials. Compile final briefing book (100+ pages) for PhRMA chair.
  3. Brief PhRMA Chair on press conference practices and standards in Japan.
  4. Provide logistical support for meetings including working with vendors to ensure effective audio/visual connections.
• Assist the work of the following PhRMA Japan office committees: (1) JBEC (day-to-day); Communications Committee; (3) Legal and Compliance Committee; (4) IP Subcommittee; and (5) other committees as needed.
  1. Work with committee chairs/vice-chairs to schedule and facilitate regular teleconferences/meetings, develop meeting agendas and materials, draft summary reports, align policy positions and coordinate advocacy efforts between committees and related work groups.
  2. Collect, organize and distribute materials developed by PhRMA Japan committees for the monthly JBEC meetings.
  3. Assist the PhRMA Japan Representative with the organization and implementation of the annual JBEC Strategy Session.
  4. Ensure follow-up on JBEC decisions by relevant committees and help facilitate inter-committee communication.
• Support the work of the following PhRMA U.S. work group and committees: (1) Management Committee; (2) International Committee; and (3) Japan Work Group.
  1. Draft Japan updates for Management Committee and International Committee meetings.
  2. Coordinate schedules and agendas for the Japan Work Group.
• Work with external vendors to develop and implement strategic advocacy materials, guided by global best practices.
• Serve as a resource on Japan-related issues for PhRMA DC, Japan-based members and other key stakeholders.
• Represent PhRMA in meetings with government officials and other key stakeholders.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Draft Japan blurbs for the biweekly International Updates.
• Coordinate schedules and agendas for the biweekly Japan advocacy coordination calls.
• Review materials developed by colleagues and provide guidance on committee matters.
• Help coordinate management and administrative matters related to the office, including IT, potential Japan office move, and staff.
• Lead initiative to update PhRMA Japan’s website.
• Perform other duties as required.

Key Success Factors
PhRMA seeks a proactive, solutions-oriented, strategic-thinking individual who is passionate about contributing to the healthcare challenges we face today. Key success factors for this role include a strong sense of team and collaborative focus as well as the ability to work independently. The preferred candidate will have a background in drug development, regulatory affairs, and advocacy expertise, along with a strategic mindset, and be an organized, detail-oriented self-starter with excellent communication skills and the ability to convey complex content in an audience-appropriate and compelling manner.

Demonstrated consensus building among internal and external stakeholders, decision-making, and interpersonal skills are essential. This is a highly visible, fast-paced position that is both internally and externally facing. Accordingly, the successful candidate should be adaptable, able to reprioritize and shift gears quickly, comfortable in a high-pressure environment, and be politically savvy, diplomatic, and responsive.

Professional Experience / Requirements

• 8+ years of experience leading and executing communications and coordinating activities with a focus on key global advocacy issues.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or related field.
• Knowledge of the innovative biopharmaceutical industry, in and outside the U.S.
• Experience in communicating across cultures.
• Ability to synthesize complex information for communication through various channels to senior level internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in dealing with the media and serving as a spokesperson.
• Ability to think on your feet and be diplomatic in complex environments with competing demands and opinions.
• Service-oriented, able to work with many different groups and stakeholders.
• Extensive experience in the use of social media, and the ability to leverage a variety of media tools, particularly in Japan.
• Ability to inspire confidence within the organization, among organizational leadership and with external constituencies.

Potential Salary

• Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

Who we are
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country’s leading innovative biopharmaceutical research companies, which are laser focused on developing innovative medicines that transform lives and create a healthier world. Together, we are fighting for solutions to ensure patients can access and afford medicines that prevent, treat and cure disease. Over the last decade, PhRMA member companies have invested more than $800 billion in the search for new treatments and cures, and they support nearly five million jobs in the United States.

Connect with PhRMA
For information on how innovative medicines save lives, please visit:
www.PhRMA.org
www.Innovation.org
www.MAT.org
www.Facebook.com/PhRMA
www.Twitter.com/PhRMA

What we offer

We are committed to the growth and development of our team members and offer many learning opportunities including an integrated onboarding program, best-in-class leadership programming, tuition reimbursement at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, industry on-site and off-site training, and other management/professional development programs. Corporate social responsibility is also important to us at PhRMA. Our team members participate in community service activities, fundraising drives, and charitable athletic events.

We are committed to supporting our family of professionals at PhRMA and strive to create programs that help our team members manage the challenges of balancing a fast-paced career with their personal goals.

Equal Opportunity Employer

PhRMA provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, disability, matriculation, political affiliation or veteran status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

The job description contains an overview of the activities and duties for this role. Responsibilities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time.

To apply, you may send a resume and salary requirements tokkuroda@signium.co.jp