Director, Medical Communication and Publications

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director, Medical Communications and Publications, is a part of the Medical Affairs department. This person leads the development and implementation of integrated publication and scientific communication plans for assigned Rigel product(s) and indications. Reporting to the Head of Medical Communications and Publications, this individual is accountable for the scientific quality, compliance, and timely delivery of assigned programs within approved budgets. The Director partners with medical directors and cross-functional colleagues to translate medical objectives and evidence gaps into prioritized communication plans, oversees agency performance and program resources, and provides scientific direction and mentoring to colleagues. The Director exercises independent judgment within agreed strategy and delegated authority, escalating issues with broader portfolio, resource, or policy implications to the Head of Medical Communications and Publications.

Employees designated as onsite or hybrid are expected to be onsite at Rigel’s South San Francisco headquarters during business hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays each week. Employees designated as remote are expected to be onsite during business hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays at least twice per month, and more frequently as business needs require.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead development and maintenance of comprehensive, cross-functionally aligned strategic publication plan(s) for assigned Rigel product(s) and indications, in collaboration with medical directors and under the overall direction of the Head of Medical Communications and Publications.
• Oversee delivery of assigned publication plans, including development, review, quality control, and submission of manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and oral presentations; establish priorities and coordinate internal and external resources to meet agreed timelines.
• Lead development and updates to scientific communication platforms for assigned products, including evidence matrices, scientific narratives, and key messages, ensuring alignment across publications and medical communication materials.
• Partner with Biostatistics, Clinical Development, and Medical Affairs to identify evidence gaps, prioritize post-hoc analyses and data generation opportunities, and integrate findings into publication plans.
• Lead cross-functional publication planning discussions and collaboration with authors, investigators, and alliance partners, as applicable; resolve program-level issues and escalate broader strategic or resource decisions to the Head of Medical Communications.
• Ensure assigned Rigel-sponsored publications comply with company publication policy and good publication practice, including applicable GPP, ICMJE, and CONSORT guidelines, and that required reviews, approvals, and documentation are completed in the publication tracking system.
• Participate in the Publication Review Board as needed, providing scientific review and guidance to ensure medical accuracy, fair balance, and adherence to Rigel policies and good publication practice.
• Manage publication agencies supporting assigned programs, providing scientific direction and overseeing timelines, quality, and performance; contribute to vendor selection and recommend corrective actions when needed.
• Manage financial and contractual aspects of assigned projects within approved budgets and delegated authority, including scopes of work, forecasts, and expenditures; identify resource needs and provide recommendations to the Head of Medical Communications.
• Lead development and implementation of publication enhancements and content extenders for assigned product(s), including infographics, visual abstracts, slide kits, videos, and digital assets, consistent with the overall dissemination strategy.
• Lead planning, content development, and review of medical congress materials for assigned product(s), including disease- and product-related booth materials, in alignment with the broader medical communication strategy.
• Oversee development and revision of Medical Science Liaison slide decks for assigned product(s), ensuring scientific accuracy, visual clarity, and completion of appropriate internal review.
• Provide functional leadership and mentoring to medical communications colleagues and agency teams supporting assigned programs, establishing clear responsibilities and expectations for quality and delivery.
• Contribute to development of publication key performance indicators and use program analytics to assess performance, recommend improvements, and communicate progress and risks to the Head of Medical Communications.
• Maintain scientific expertise in assigned therapeutic areas; oversee relevant literature monitoring and provide substantive scientific review, writing, data quality control, and reference verification as needed.
• Recommend and implement improvements to publication workflows and documentation practices in collaboration with the Head of Medical Communications.
• Perform other duties as assigned and commensurate with the position.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in a medical publications/communications role at a pharmaceutical company or at a medical communications agency. Experience within the pharmaceutical industry is preferred.
• Advanced scientific degree (Doctorate degree preferred: PhD, PharmD, MD).
• Relevant hematology/oncology experience preferred, with the ability to develop and maintain expertise in assigned therapeutic areas. Experience and disease area knowledge and in breast cancer is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic publication planning and overseeing execution across multiple products, indications, or complex publication programs.
• Strong knowledge of current good publication practices, authorship criteria, and medical writing and reporting guidelines, including GPP, ICMJE, and CONSORT; CMPP certification preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to critically evaluate clinical data and provide scientific direction for manuscripts, abstracts, presentations, and other medical communication materials.
• Experience managing external agencies, project budgets, scopes of work, and contractual activities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, influence stakeholders, resolve competing priorities, and make independent decisions within agreed strategy and delegated authority.
• Experience collaborating effectively with authors, investigators, and other external scientific experts.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring colleagues and providing oversight of internal or external project teams.
• Strong medical writing and editing skills and experience developing scientific platforms, medical slide decks, and clear visual presentations of scientific data.
• Excellent interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and program management skills, including the ability to oversee several projects simultaneously, anticipate risks, and maintain accuracy and adherence to deadlines.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience using scientific literature databases and publication management systems.
• Ability to travel up to 15% of the time to attend scientific congresses and publication planning or other business meetings.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

The anticipated salary range for this position is SFBA/NYC/Boston Area $220,000 to $258,000. The actual salary offered will depend on several factors, including experience, qualifications, geographic location, internal equity, and business needs.

This position is eligible to participate in Rigel's annual bonus program and is eligible for equity incentive awards, subject to the terms of the applicable plans. This position is not commission-based.

Rigel offers eligible employees a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; life and disability insurance; flexible spending accounts; a 401(k) plan; paid time off; paid company holidays; and other benefits.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk; sit; talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• WORK ENVIRONMENT: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Some travel may be required.

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by the law.