Director, US Communications and Public Relations - Job ID: 1620

Ascendis Pharma is a fast-growing biopharmaceutical company with locations in Denmark, United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and France. Guided by our core values of Patients, Science, and Passion, we are applying our innovative TransCon technology platform to build a leading, fully integrated biopharmaceutical company. We have a diverse pipeline designed to make a meaningful difference for patients. We have started to launch our Endocrinology Rare Disease portfolio globally, in the US, Germany & Austria, with plans for rapid expansion.

As our new Director of US Communications and Public Relations, you will be spearheading all communications and public relations efforts for the US, Ascendis' largest affiliate.

You will report directly to the Head of US Public Affairs and be based in Princeton, NJ. This opportunity is based upon a hybrid model with an expectation of three days each week in-office for coordination and collaborative purposes.

This role will have three main areas of focus:

1. US Product PR - Partner with major news, wire services, and trade organizations to generate both national and local-level coverage for our leading products in the US Market
2. US Affiliate Brand Strategy - Work closely with US Leadership Team to build and cultivate US Affiliate brand across new and existing digital channels (e.g., website, social media), reaching a range of key stakeholders and prospective employees
3. US Affiliate Communications - Develop and distribute US-specific press releases and partner with Global Corporate Communications as appropriate. Support US Affiliate internal communication efforts, collaborating with US Leadership Team as needed.

You will be responsible for:

• Serving as the primary spokesperson for Ascendis US on corporate and product-related matters, ensuring consistent and accurate messaging across all communications channels.

• Leading US Affiliate Communications efforts as we position ourselves for leadership in the rare endocrine space and translating our core scientific platform into locally relevant engagements with key stakeholders.
• Collaborating with the President of Ascendis US and the US Leadership Team to develop an Ascendis US Affiliate brand and communications strategy.
• Developing core US public relations tools and content, including messaging and talking points, media materials, patient stories, disease awareness initiatives, US-specific press releases, and other company announcements.
• Generating interest in Ascendis US among healthcare professionals (HCPs), key opinion leaders (KOLs), patient support groups, payers, patients, and prospective employees.
• Managing and enhancing the existing US Affiliate website and expand digital and social media channels with a strategic content calendar to support key milestones and execution of a US Affiliate communications plan.
• Partnering with local agencies to support the localization of the US Affiliate Communications plan.
• Aligning with and executing strategic media relations approaches in coordination with Global Corporate Communications to effectively communicate about Ascendis’ commercial strategy through various media channels.
• Collaborating with Global Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, ensuring branding, timing, messaging alignment, and consistency across all platforms.
• Operating effectively without a direct team, collaborating closely with key internal stakeholders and agencies to drive communication success.

Your key stakeholders will be:

• US Business Unit Leadership
• US Government Affairs, Patient Advocacy, and Marketing Teams
• Global Corporate Communications
• Investor Relations

Your Profile:

You hold a relevant academic degree – preferably a Master’s degree in Public Relations, Communications or Business Administration– and possess 8-12 years of experience within Global Communications, PR, public affairs or marketing, either at a biotech/pharmaceutical company or with a communications/PR/public affairs agency specializing in the biotech/pharmaceutical sector.

Furthermore, you have:

• Strong knowledge of the US media landscape,  with working knowledge of pharma/biotech industry-specific compliance and regulatory guidelines.
• Experience managing external vendors and partners, including budget oversight.
• Background in diverse public affairs/communications subspecialties such as internal communications, thought-leadership, corporate social responsibility, corporate identity, media relations, product PR, patient advocacy and/or government relations.
• Established relationships with top-tier news outlets, wire services, and key trade publications. outlets
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills; ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences, including health care professionals, patients, media.
• Experience with website management and social media strategy, particularly for building and executing US Affiliate corporate brand strategy.
• Experience working in a global organization is a plus.
• Familiarity with FDA and regulatory communications best practices, particularly in navigating media engagement around approvals, launches, and ongoing regulatory milestones.

Key competencies:

• You are a strong team player with analytical thinking and a proactive, can-do attitude.
• You possess an entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to thrive in an open, innovative and evolving environment.
• To succeed in this role, we also expect you to possess the ability to execute across multiple work streams simultaneously and at the same time pay a high level of attention to detail and organization.

Travel: Approximately 20%

Place of work: Princeton, NJ. Hybrid model with an expectation of three days each week in-office for coordination and collaborative purposes.

For more details about the position or the company, please contact Kathy Kulkarni, Head of US Public Affairs / katk@ascendispharma.com or Penney Busichio, Talent Acquisition Partner / pybo@ascendispharma.com or visit our website www.ascendispharma.com.

All applications must be submitted in English and are treated confidentially.

Applications will be evaluated when received, so please apply as soon as possible.

A note to recruiters:

We do not allow external search party solicitation.  Presentation of candidates without written permission from the Ascendis Pharma Inc Human Resources team (specifically from: Talent Acquisition Partner or Human Resources Director) is not allowed.  If this occurs your ownership of these candidates will not be acknowledged.

• 401(k) plan with company match
• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Company-offered Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Company-provided short and long-term disability benefits
• Unique offerings of Pet Insurance and Legal Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Professional Development
• Health Saving Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various incentive compensation plans
• Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance  
• Mental Health resources
• Paid leave benefits for new parents