Senior Director, CNS Communications

Senior Director, CNS Communications Job Summary

The Senior Director, CNS Communications, is the senior strategic communications lead for all external and internal communications for the CNS therapeutic area (TA), product and pipeline. The responsibilities cover Otsuka’s currently marketed products, future label expansions, and investigational pipeline. The Senior Director will own and deliver a seamless strategy that positions Otsuka’s commitment in the TA from development to launch, integrating leadership perspectives from Commercial and R&D, providing real‑time understanding of environmental opportunities and challenges, and aligning with business objectives while maintaining the integrity of the corporate brand.

This role reports to the VP, Corporate Affairs, is a member of the Corporate Affairs leadership team, and shares an in‑depth understanding of business needs and priorities, informing and leveraging work across Corporate Communications, Government Affairs, Public Policy, and Alliance Development. The Senior Director serves as an engaged advisor and thought partner to Commercial and R&D leadership specific to communications strategy and tactics needed across the portfolio.

• Develop and maintain thorough scientific and industry/trend knowledge of the CNS therapeutic area, Otsuka’s products, competitors, and key topics such as clinical trial design, drug development, regulatory decision making, and public policy.
• Craft and execute a comprehensive communications strategy for innovative CNS treatments, including in‑line commercial branded products and unbranded disease‑education programs, planning around key data announcements, regulatory milestones, and launch planning for late‑stage pipeline candidates.
• Maintain in‑depth knowledge of brands, strategic imperatives, media landscape, patient, caregiver and HCP needs, competitive intelligence, and apply this understanding to strategy.
• Serve as the most senior communications advisor to leaders in Commercial and Brand, Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, and Portfolio Strategy regarding strategic TA, product, and pipeline communications strategies.
• Enable alignment across Commercial and R&D on a strategic communications plan that anchors Otsuka’s portfolio and drives future growth.
• Play a critical role in shaping Otsuka’s narrative and positioning as a member of the internal TA Core Team and with Early Development Teams, Product Development Committees, Publications Planning teams, and Launch teams to inform strategy, shape the environment, develop proactive communications plans, and oversee execution.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional colleagues in Medical Affairs, Commercial and Patient Advocacy on accountable communications strategy and execution at relevant Congresses and other externally facing events such as FDA Advisory Committees, Scientific Meetings and Conferences.
• Build, develop and lead a high‑performance team over time to support the business in this therapeutic area, leading through a matrix structure that enables successful strategy across R&D and Commercial teams.
• Serve as a key member of the Corporate Affairs leadership team and coordinate one voice for seamless corporate affairs support for the business, ensuring alignment between therapeutic area, product, pipeline, and enterprise communications efforts.
• Coordinate product and pipeline news with Otsuka colleagues in Japan, Otsuka affiliate Companies in North America and Europe, and third‑party partner pharma companies and biotechs to ensure aligned global product messaging and approach to key milestones.
• Oversee work with the U.S. PR agency to produce high‑quality deliverables on time and on budget; manage overall activities, resourcing, and account budgets.
• Represent CNS communications in contributing to annual and longer‑term Integrated Strategic planning for brand and pipeline teams and shape cross‑CA strategic plans.
• Measure and evaluate the effectiveness of communications programs, demonstrate results to product functional teams, franchise leaders and senior executive team.

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism or related field required;
  Ma…