Vice President, Public Relations

Company OverviewImClone Systems is dedicated to developing and commercializing novel therapeutic products in the field of oncology. Our efforts have resulted in a broad spectrum of innovative product candidates with potential application in multiple tumor types. As a member of the oncology community, we are committed to providing treatments to meet the unmet needs of cancer patients. To fulfill this commitment, ImClone Systems fosters integration of the principles of teamwork and scientific integrity into all facets of the Company's activities. We believe that these values will benefit patients, physicians, and our employees while creating value for our shareholders. HistoryThe Company was founded in 1984 and in 1986, opened its laboratories at 180 Varick Street in New York City. In its early years, the Company focused on immunology-based diagnostics and infectious disease vaccines. This focus resulted in two FDA approved diagnostics and several vaccine research programs, all of which have been licensed to pharmaceutical companies. During the early nineties, the Company's focus shifted from diagnostics and infectious disease to the development of a pipeline of innovative, biologic compounds in the area of oncology. From this pipeline, three investigational monoclonal antibodies are being evaluated in various stages of clinical development. OperationsImClone Systems operates in two locations - its corporate and scientific headquarters at 180 Varick Street in New York City, which houses the Company's research and executive offices, and its campus in Branchburg, New Jersey. The Branchburg facility is home to the manufacturing, product development, finance, clinical, regulatory and quality assurance and commercial operations departments. The VP, Public relations will have responsibility for all communications and public relations-related activities, both internal and external. This individual will be responsible for the design and implementation of a public relations strategy that aligns with and closely supports the company and product business plan, and tangibly contributes to its long-term success in the competitive environment. The position will help the organization achieve a stronger reputation, more powerful relationships with stakeholders, greater adaptability in the face of change, clout without collateral damage in the market place, and an internal culture that provides a distinct competitive advantage. The position will work hand-in-glove with policy and investor relations efforts, and at times will play a role in these areas to drive better and more coordinated results. The VP, Public relations shares a role with the senior management team to grow shareholder value by building a stronger organization capable of predictably meeting or exceeding expectations.The VP, Public relations oversees a broad range of senior-level responsibilities and is expected to be able to effectively represent the company's interests in high-stakes and high-pressure situations.. The candidate must have the ability to think clearly and articulate extremely well, both orally and in writing, and with a wide-range of audiences. The VP must be a very accomplished manager of talent reporting to him/her, as well as be an interdependent player who is part of a highly effective team of peer executives. The VP, Public relations is responsible for the development, delivery and evaluation of all communications regarding the company's mission and strategy, policies, commercial operations, science and technology platforms, and pipeline and marketed products. The position will build trusted relationships with functional leaders within the company to effectively assist them with their communication needs. These responsibilities include the following key functions:' Product PR & Marketing Support: The VP is responsible for all product PR and marketing support programs, working closely with leadership of commercial operations, marketing & sales staff, scientists within clinical development, scientific advisory committees comprised of external KOLs, and execs charged with regulatory and legal oversight. The incumbent must correctly balance the seemingly paradoxical goals of maintaining a highly competitive posture in the company's various markets, but also preserving the company's reputation in the face of ongoing and retrospective scrutiny. A considerable amount of experience-based judgment must be applied in the execution of this function.' Public relations: In coordination with external consultants and the senior management team, the VP will develop and coordinate the corporate branding strategy. This will include the creation of all related materials and messaging both within and without the company. The VP will also develop and direct the company's reputation management campaign so as to consistently and visibly reflect the company's core values and brand to all stakeholder audiences in a manner that builds trust and confidence in the company and its ability to deliver its business plan. This person has the primary responsibility for the design, development and production of, among other things, the annual report, press releases, corporate advertising, key presentations, the employee Intranet, the annual shareholder's meeting, internal leadership meetings, and the company's external web site. This person will use strategically creative approaches to constantly improve and adapt the company's interfaces and relationships with its full range of stakeholder audiences.' Media Relations: The VP is responsible for developing, maintaining, and enhancing relationships with all media outlets (i.e., print, video, radio, internet, etc.). This person will help assure that the company brand is better known, understood and appreciated by key reporters who control critical channels to broad audiences. The incumbent is responsible for creating and maintaining a responsive and responsible relationship with reporters that helps build an accurate reflection of the company's brand, value proposition, capabilities, integrity, and promise. The position also requires the ability to handle ' with maturity and a high degree of expertise ' those situations in which negative news, issues or occurrences must be communicated responsibly and forthrightly so as to preserve the well deserved trust and long-term credibility of the company.' Employee Communications & Corporate Culture: The VP is responsible for internal communications ' in close collaboration with human resources ' to ensure proper and timely dissemination of news about business plans, ongoing company operations, and relevant emerging situations in the company's business environment. The incumbent will be responsible for analyzing the corporate culture and work environment, and from that developing strategically creative programs, events, and practices that build and sustain the feel and personality of the work experience at the company. This critical function is tasked with helping to create a work culture that is a distinct competitive advantage in terms of its ability to attract and retain best/brightest talent and further the reputation of the company. ' Government Relations & Policy: The VP will collaborate with company's office of Government and Policy to assure the full benefit of PR and Communications are applied to the planning and implementation of their initiatives to create a thought leadership voice and perception of the company among elected and key non-elected government officials, their constituencies, and policy influencers. ' Community Relations and Philanthropy: The VP will organize programs and policies to create an effective interface between the company and its various relevant external communities. Well targeted and well received programs of corporate giving, based on a clearly defined 'giving strategy,' will be developed, implemented and evaluated. A well earned reputation will be developed for mature, non-transactional, and mutually respectful relationships with external stakeholders. The incumbent will be responsible for creating and managing effective interfaces not only with company supporters, but critics and adversaries. As a member of the senior management team, this person must have strong leadership and management skills and the ability to work effectively with all functional groups within the company. In addition, this person must have:' Candidate must have progressive experience providing direct oversight for public relations in a biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life science company, with a demonstrated record of impressive accomplishment. Experience within a PR agency setting of effectively managing PR agencies is helpful. ' Background or experience in communications dealing with science, technology and medicine appropriate to the business of the company is mandatory. A quick learning curve for new scientific information is extremely helpful, as is the ability to simplify this information and assure proper understanding among scientifically challenged audiences. Existing relationships with KOLs in the academic medical, non-profit and government medical/scientific communities is desirable. ' Must be a clear thinker who can communicate articulately and persuasively both orally and in writing. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential, as are presentation skills accompanied by a business presence that conveys both business acumen and gravitas that generate trust and confidence.' Proven ability to draft scientifically intensive press releases, write speeches, create various PowerPoint presentations and other communication materials, which are easily and generally understood but based on technical business and scientific issues.' Proven ability to function autonomously as a trusted member of management, but also as an effective interdependent team player.' Must be a highly ethical executive known for his/her integrity under pressure and in a high stakes environment. Must have the ability to balance long-term risk/benefits against short-term upsides in a rapid-paced environment.' Proficient in current business software usage and applications, as well as in the application of electronic media.' Confidence, tenacity, and a passion for excellence and accomplishment. A good-natured but intense individual who inspires others and has a natural leadership and mentoring ability.' Available to travel 20 - 30% of the time.Education' This position requires a Bachelors Degree plus 10+ years of highly relevant experience in positions of increasing responsibility. A Masters Degree is preferred. RESPOND HERE! Respond immediately by accessing the following dedicated online response form which will allow you to cut and paste your resume. This form will go directly and immediately to the hiring authority for this position. Access the online response form at: http://sh.webhire.com/servlet/resp/rf?jobid=2195856&boardid=749