Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for Associate Director
An Associate Director works closely with directors in order to help with diverse tasks such as establishing annual goals and accomplishing department and corporate objectives. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Associate Directors.
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Main Responsibilities of Associate Director
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Associate Director:
Adhere
Adhere to and uphold the company's mission, vision and core values.
Aid
Aid in development of technical and marketing brochures for products.
Align
Align overall program budget with portfolio strategy and ensuring timely disbursement of grants.
Analyze
Analyze existing technology, people and process to determine issues.
Analyze insurance quotes with help from insurance brokers as to best fit for company.
Analyze internal systems and recommend enhancements to improve productivity.
Anticipate
Anticipate and adjusts for problems and obstacles.
Apply
Apply management skills to align staff activities with department objectives.
Apply risk mitigation and management methods.
Arrange
Arrange for appropriate training of team members.
Assess
Assess and communicate potential regulatory risks and propose mitigation strategies.
Assess and monitor compliance in the agreements and competitive challenges.
Assess potential patient risks from degradants and impurities.
Assess related financial reporting impact, coordinate and execute implementation plan.
Assist in / Assist with
Assist in deviation investigations for maintenance instruments, equipment, and systems.
Assist in drafting term sheets and other deal structuring materials.
Assist in filing of the regulatory reporting requirements.
Assist in new product launches by developing customer presentations and results tracking.
Assist in recruitment efforts, including resume review, telephone screens, and in-person interviews.
Assist in the evaluation of scenarios to streamline the manufacturing network.
Assist investigation teams by providing medical input as needed.
Assist Sales teams to complete RFIs / RFPs and Client security questionnaires.
Assist the medical director with direct customer interactions as needed.
Assist the Sales Team with improving efficiencies and profitability of business unit.
Assist with other ad-hoc special projects as needed.
Assist with preparation of financial verbiage for the Annual Report, 10-K and 10-Q's.
Assist with service contract negotiations with associated vendors.
Assist with the development of periodic reports to relevant stakeholders.
Assume
Assume a clear community profile of visibility and leadership that well represents the organization.
Assume delegated responsibilities outside of normal working hours on the Director's behalf.
Assure
Assure the development and maintenance of a Quality Agreement with the EP's.
Attend
Attend and participate as appropriate in corporate and scientific conferences.
Attend events to assist the sales team in further building our network of clients.
Benchmark
Benchmark against industry best practice.
Build
Build a climate of success within the team.
Build and foster the cross-selling and delivery relationship with.
Build and maintain effective Quality Systems and proactively drive continuous improvement.
Build and Share best practices in term of sales fundamentals with Field Customer Teams.
Build, maintain and use portfolio and decision analysis tools.
Build
Build granular customer-specific forecasts to guide our manufacturing and supply chain activities.
Check
Check shipment conditions and product samples.
Coach
Coach, mentor and manage staff.
Collaborate
Collaborate on media and marketing recommendations using a holistic media approach.
Collaborate with field based Commercial personnel, as appropriate and in a compliant manner.
Collaborate with investment and product management teams.
Collaborate with MDs to develop agenda and content, manage vendors, attend and present as needed.
Collaborate with members on other digital engagement teams to share learnings and best practices.
Come
Come up with strategic ways to increase the revenue of the category.
Communicate
Communicate and collaborate with management stakeholders and IT teams to improve security.
Communicate directly with client operational staff to run back office.
Communicate frequently with team members earning respect and trust of the team.
Communicate instructions and priorities to vendors / collaborators and facilitate issue resolution.
Conduct
Conduct and assist in market support research.
Conduct research including competitive analysis, emerging opportunities, and consumer insights.
Conduct securities and portfolio analysis.
Consult
Consult on development of support materials.
Contribute to
Contribute to biomarker study design, implementation and analysis of investigator-initiated studies.
Contribute to cross-team Enterprise Platforms domain-mapping and strategy.
Contribute to data-driven analysis with the Equity Audit tool suite.
Contribute to the design of early phase clinical trials (FIH to POC) and support project goals.
Contribute to the development of organizational knowledge management process / systems.
Contribute to the Marketing strategy.
Contribute to the overall strategy and evolution of the team.
Contribute to the prioritization initiative.
Contribute to the validation of resource information at the project level with the project teams.
Contribute to training and development of new analysts on the team.
Coordinate
Coordinate across brand cohorts and products to ensure an integrated customer approach.
Coordinate and prioritize competing initiatives while meeting deadlines.
Coordinate and track any continuous improvement / Quality Plans deemed necessary.
Coordinate development and manages the overall program plan and schedule including tech transfer.
Coordinate market sales analysis data interpretation for region.
Coordinate significant investigations including product recalls as needed.
Coordinate with Business Continuity Program Manager on a variety of processes.
Correct
Correct plan hours listed on Computerized Maintenance Management System.
Craft
Craft communications that provide awareness and motivate users to adopt the new technology.
Create
Create a delivery plan shared jointly with business.
Create and evaluate specifications and acceptability criteria for our products.
Create and implement communications strategies for advocacy campaigns.
Create and manage business development & sales strategy for the US market.
Create and manage cost analytics for input into monthly, quarterly and forecast / plan presentations.
Create, negotiate and implement Technical Terms of Supply.
Create professional deliverables for clients that meet the Bounteous quality standard.
Create roadmaps and project plans for executing against KPIs.
Cultivate
Cultivate sustainable and effective relationships.
Define
Define market research priorities in collaboration with rest of the commercial organization.
Define the requirements of the curricula needed to support the Global Scientific Training Plans.
Delegate
Delegate a team of onsite and offshore consultants who support Incentive Compensation Administration.
Deliver
Deliver a measurable improvement in panel response rates.
Deliver final products that are well vetted and reliable.
Design
Design new multichannel and innovative digital solutions to implement meetings.
Design PD content, methods, and related materials in accordance with those and other best practices.
Develop
Develop and documents the knowledge base needed for regulatory filings.
Develop and implements annual plans, programs, and objectives for the unit.
Develop and implement targeted sales campaign for the US.
Develop and maintains templates for scenario analysis, proposals and agreements.
Develop and maintain tracking tools.
Develop and oversees improvement initiatives, development of tools, processes and training materials.
Develop an Enterprise Account Plan with value proposition for each enterprise account.
Develop a talent base and anticipates development needs within the area of responsibility.
Develop collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals.
Develop content that will support executive level presentations and communication.
Develop, manage, and lead a team to achieve all targets and KPIs.
Develop, modify, and execute cross-functional company policies.
Develop new methodologies / software solutions.
Develop new processes that contribute to greater productivity and efficiency.
Develop new products & pricing tools.
Develop, plans, coordinates, directs and evaluates assigned projects and programs.
Develop policies and procedures to facilitate the safe handling.
Develop policies for supporting students in compliance with the university mission.
Develop policy scenarios that have potential implications for U.S. oncology portfolio.
Develop Quality Philosophies consistent with Corporate and Division Policies.
Develop talent by active and effective people management.
Develop the business plan and execute the sales strategy.
Direct
Direct the design and / or coding of analysis files.
Disseminate
Disseminate data and study results to support Market Access strategies.
Draft
Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of contracts, policies, terms and correspondence.
Drive
Drive change and influence stakeholders / decision makers.
Drive continuous improvement activities related to Tech Transfers.
Drive high levels of client satisfaction.
Drive a high level of ‘customer service' and client focus within projects.
Drive service mindset in the organization.
Drive execution of POA and follows up to ensure successful completion / results.
Drive SOPs related to the function together with QA.
Educate
Educate providers on billing issues, portal navigation, claims policies, and other information.
Engage
Engage in escalation communication processes on serious audit outcomes.
Engage sponsors and clients, lead major changes, and effectively coach senior leaders.
Ensure
Ensure accuracy of financial reporting and perform covenant and financial performance monitoring.
Ensure accurate forecasts and project risk management.
Ensure adverse events are reported to regulatory agencies and internal stakeholders.
Ensure a fair and equitable process when gathering feedback.
Ensure alignment between stakeholders about business needs and data needs.
Ensure all mandatory compliance and SOP training is complete in a timely manner.
Ensure all relevant meetings are formally recorded, circulated and acted upon.
Ensure and influence ongoing talent development.
Ensure appropriate knowledge management of API technology.
Ensure compliance relevant to field function and activities.
Ensure compliance with Gilead publication policy and external publication guidelines.
Ensure constant calibration of Regional Managers and other stakeholders at regular intervals.
Ensure creation, consistency and implementation of SOP's in support of tracking processes.
Ensure ethically sound and compliant collaboration with patient advocacy groups.
Ensure fast and effective staffing of roles across commercial and production groups.
Ensure GCP and PV Inspection Readiness and continuous process improvement.
Ensure good and pro-active team work with subordinates, colleagues and superiors.
Ensure monthly recovery of staff time via MIS or similar tools.
Ensure operational excellence, and in parallel identify opportunities for process improvements.
Ensure profitability is maintained for ongoing assignments.
Ensure projects are on schedule and oversight on overall health of portfolio.
Ensure team's effective collaboration with all IT colleagues across various business areas.
Ensure that analysts are fully prepared to best represent themselves to institutional clients.
Ensure that input from functional / regional expertise has been adequately incorporated.
Ensure that multiple, novel ideas on how to deliver on clinical trials are generated and considered.
Ensure that new and improved processes are implemented within the unit.
Ensure the maintenance of a smooth client experience during the AML / KYC Due Diligence process.
Ensure the one source of truth of information between the Project Team and Finance Team.
Ensure vendor (s) is in compliance with all reporting requirements to partners and regulators.
Ensure work carried out in accordance with applicable SOP's and working practices.
Establish
Establish a coding system for units and projects.
Establish and maintain a change control system.
Establish and maintain GxP training for the company.
Establish excellent working relationships with compliance / quality groups.
Establish or collect documented evidence of compliance to ensure audit readiness.
Establish strong working relationships with the wider JLL network.
Evaluate
Evaluate acquisition and disposition opportunities.
Evaluate and select new targets and indications for therapeutic development.
Evaluate the future needs and services for upcoming projects on mid-long and long term.
Focus
Focus on delivering what the customer wants.
Follow
Follow procedures and SOPs and execute technical and operational tasks.
Gain
Gain insight and identify the key issues requiring discussion.
Give
Give presentations to the rest of the team and external stakeholders.
Give and welcome feedback.
Hold
Hold ourselves and others accountable for achieving results.
Host
Host and provide responses to client audits and regulatory inspections.
Identify
Identify correction strategies and ensures they are implemented accordingly.
Identify, develop and implement outsourcing processes and procedures.
Identify trends in client activities which may be predictive of deteriorating credit quality.
Identify and manage issues and opportunities that impact submissions timelines.
Identify and utilize innovative techniques to address business questions.
Identify areas of improvement based on the calibration and validation findings and other key inputs.
Identify barriers to timely and successful trial execution and propose solutions.
Identify emerging trends and technologies and lead implementation, as appropriate.
Identify opportunities and solutions to solve business issues and challenges.
Identify opportunities for revenue and profit growth as well as identify areas of improvement.
Identify opportunities to improve business and finance practices and processes.
Identify potential product and service opportunities that may arise from regulatory changes.
Identify project team and resources.
Identify resource needs, constraints and inter-dependencies.
Identify, respond, and refer opportunities generated from client analysis, inquiries, and networking.
Identify skill-sets necessary to advance career development.
Identify, track and mitigate risks to the product.
Identify training needs and implement new programs.
Implement
Implement maintenance strategies to maintain buildings, mechanical equipment, and other utilities.
Implement new approved technologies and / or systems.
Increase
Increase operational efficiency, working closely with the Project Management team.
Increase your network through engagement with other business partner.
Influence
Influence the design of the analytics tech stack with end users needs and perspectives in mind.
Interact with
Interact with finance and global commercial teams to understand demand drivers.
Keep
Keep abreast of computational field.
Keep aware of platform changes and new offers to provide counsel and updates to clients.
Keep up-to-date with industry standards and latest development in IT Security standards and threats.
Lead
Lead and / or support global filing activities for device aspects of combination product submissions.
Lead / Assist with development of Analytical Siting Strategies and principles.
Lead a team of direct reports as "player / coach”.
Lead by example and bring out the best in engineering teams.
Lead clinical data review of data listings and summary tables with the SET.
Lead development and implementation of new tools and automation technologies.
Lead, evaluate, and develop the maintenance operations team and its professionals.
Lead fund manager interviews.
Lead Global Procurement Canada Market organization.
Lead implementation team (s) appropriately and develop, implement, and version data standards.
Lead insight reporting efforts by reviewing and collating individual reports across teams.
Lead inspection observation response teams.
Lead market research to understand behaviors and identify opportunities.
Lead one or more execution teams, simultaneously, as required.
Lead our internal strategy process.
Lead People Transformation for structure, process, competency and technology.
Lead planning for U.S. Exhibits and Conventions for Bladder Cancer Portfolio.
Lead a team of advancement professionals.
Lead development, negotiation, and implementation of cost savings projects.
Lead specific global Quality based projects when required.
Lead team, department, or system projects as assigned.
Lead the development of the business intelligence and operational analytics function for CORE.
Lead strategic and tactical scientific discussions with clients and scientific staff.
Lead the design, development, and implementation of analytic solutions.
Lead the digital, data, and analytics transformation strategy and implementation for Asia Pacific.
Liaise with
Liaise with chemistry, manufacturing and controls.
Liaise with the Fields Access Colleagues.
Liaise with various levels of management across Operations.
Maintain
Maintain an orderly flow of visible work.
Maintain a quality system to support advertising and promotion regulatory requirements.
Maintain awareness of evolving industry and regulatory trends / regulations.
Maintain operations manuals and Standards Operational Process updates.
Maintain regular contact with key client leaders.
Maintain strong relationships with MSL colleagues within the Established Markets Region.
Maintain the Quality Policy.
Make
Make problems visible and strive for continuous improvement.
Manage
Manage across General Ledger and other AtR sub-process activities.
Manage activities related to volunteer committees including recruitment of committee members.
Manage a limited but growing number of smaller client relationships.
Manage all aspect of Veeva and Global PRB for breast cancer.
Manage all satisfaction, utilization, and ROI calculations of the solutions delivered.
Manage and provide support to internal teams through training sessions, mentoring, and support.
Manage a team of 4 National Account Managers for the KHI business.
Manage cross-team projects to maximize efficiency and coverage.
Manage escalations and participates in the project team as required.
Manage financial performance reporting requirement and analysis consolidation.
Manage Internal / External Customer Interactions.
Manage program marketing budgets and help develop future budgets.
Manage quality and continuous improvement of existing processes.
Manage, retain and grow multiple accounts.
Manage and interacts with employees within own department.
Manage a small team of scientists and engineers.
Manage individual contributors (professional employees) and / or supervisors.
Manage Regulatory Policy of the zone in relation with Regulatory Global functions.
Manage relationships with partner regulatory contracts.
Manage the Student Services communications team.
Manage without authority and demonstrates appropriate situational leadership skills.
Manage tax audits and responses to all tax notices and related correspondence.
Manage teams and ensure they work efficiently.
Manage the budgets, service levels, human resources etc. under his / her responsibility.
Manage the preparation of consolidated financial statements under U.S. GAAP.
Manage workflow of junior team members to ensure client deliverables are out on time.
Meet
Meet regularly with assigned clients to review investment management results.
Mentor
Mentor and train new hires.
Monitor
Monitor activities to ensure all functions are adequately supporting project objectives and timeline.
Monitor and report on the T&O Operational risk profile to senior leadership.
Monitor costs of projects and of human and material resources within a department or unit.
Monitor overall team KPIs and fairness in workload distribution.
Monitor progress and actively promote the establishment of knowledge channels as agreed by GPP.
Monitor team dynamics regularly to ensure optimal team performance.
Navigate
Navigate and influence multiple cross-functional teams in a complex work environment.
Negotiate
Negotiate complex situations without direct authority.
Negotiate across divisions and functional areas to secure funding for key initiatives.
Network
Network hardening and the use of firewalls.
Offer
Offer support and guidance to more junior members of the team.
Organize
Organize and track complex information.
Oversee
Oversee day-to-day management of Communications agency, including budget oversight.
Oversee grant seeking including research, proposal writing, and reporting.
Oversee individual team activities associated with case management and / or submissions activities.
Oversee investigations conducted by CIT / ACP investigation and manage stakeholders.
Oversee M&A due diligence, resource planning and integration activities for the Benefits team.
Oversee monthly global data collection, data validation and patient reporting process.
Oversee documentation and ongoing monitoring of asset and client performance.
Oversee tracking and evaluation of earned press clippings.
Participate in
Participate in budgeting activities.
Participate in building up internal chemistry capability in the long run.
Participate in meetings with regulatory authorities.
Participate in ongoing safety data review and analysis for products in designated therapeutic areas.
Participate in product development and lead implementation from Underwriting.
Participate in monitoring visits, including Site Qualification and Site Initiation, as needed.
Partner
Partner the business to set strategy and deliver business objective.
Perform
Perform as an effective leader and coach to the more junior consultants.
Perform other duties as need and experience may dictate.
Perform other related work as needed.
Perform regular alliance audits and health checks.
Perform resource planning and budget forecast for CDM related activities.
Prepare
Prepare and execute customer communications as needed.
Prepare and implement appropriate forms of contract and commitment with suppliers.
Prepare CIB / IMPD / IND and other regulatory documents.
Prepare materials and presentations for senior management.
Prepare submission dossier.
Present
Present recommendations to the clients and influencing future based on the model results.
Present strategy to management boards / committees.
Present to internal and external audiences.
Process
Process clinical data required for statistical analysis.
Produce
Produce communications materials and offers multimedia services.
Promote
Promote and maintains productive working relationships.
Promote and maintains productive working relationships with staff and functional areas.
Promote teamwork, quality, and innovation.
Propose
Propose the creation of new systems and processes to streamline operations, management.
Protect
Protect and grow the business.
Provide
Provide accurate forecasts on accounts to ensure accurate future planning.
Provide active support during audits and inspections (regulatory, internal, safety).
Provide broader guidance on regulatory interpretation.
Provide clear guidance and set standards to others, enabling the best outcome from the team.
Provide Clinical Pharmacology expertise to Discovery.
Provide direction and strategy for catalogs, Guided Buying, and Sourcing playbook development.
Provide feedback on contracts and budget reviews.
Provide feedback to Internal and External Stakeholders as appropriate.
Provide field-based training for Sales when needed.
Provide guidance and QC / QA standards to ensure quality of deliverables.
Provide guidance on program strategy with consensus from key stakeholders.
Provide guidance to BSC to drive regional analysis and consolidation.
Provide guidance to business unit partners on these subjects as well.
Provide input in our company's auditing group audits.
Provide input into lifecycle management initiatives.
Provide input to Global / EMEA Multichannel forums representing the Gilead Canada.
Provide input to statistical issues relating to regulatory submissions.
Provide insights and commentary on key risks and exposures versus market trends and potential events.
Provide leadership and drive market differentiation of the products you manage.
Provide leadership and mentorship to members of the team to promote a high performance culture.
Provide model change support to business stakeholders on ad-hoc analysis projects.
Provide sales reports, which contain all channel activities and results.
Provide System governance and enhancements planning for Financial Systems.
Provide timely consultation to stakeholders around executive retirement activity.
Provide trustworthy feedback and after-sales support.
Raise
Raise issues / decisions to Stakeholders or Development Governance Bodies.
Recommend
Recommend product, process or service improvements.
Remain
Remain current with agency and regulatory changes.
Repair
Repair corrupt or damaged data and media.
Represent
Represent the company at admissions recruiting events both on and off-campus.
Represent the company and formulate strategies for specific projects.
Represent the company at program team level and own the bidirectional communications.
Research
Research and critically assess fund managers and their products.
Research and Development in biotech / pharmaceutical industry.
Research and develop strategies to guide department goals and structures.
Research including on specific projects as appropriate.
Review
Review and approval of materials, including promotional and non promotional material.
Review and approve required reports, supplemental submissions and other post marketing commitments.
Review and approves training programs regarding implementation of quality systems.
Review and approve the annual product quality review.
Review and assist with the creation of job proposals, budgets and client staffing plans.
Review and recommends modifications to vendor-developed training content.
Review of exceptions detected in monitoring.
Review programming specifications.
Scope
Scope is all spend including both direct and indirect materials / services used at the facility.
Secure
Secure and manage budget associated to these plans.
Seek
Seek and utilizes input from staff and oversees change implementation.
Serve
Serve on the Total Quality Management and Case Management System (CMS) committee.
Set
Set and manage realistic deadlines and expectations.
Set implementation requirements globally.
Share
Share and seek out best practices and knowledge.
Solve
Solve complex problems and takes a new perspective on existing solutions.
Strive
Strive to ensure compliance to regulatory obligations.
Supervise
Supervise and perform financial forecasting.
Supervise process by which MLA writing support is expanded and made more rigorous.
Supervise the Manager of Student Advocacy.
Support
Support activities related to new drug applications and other regulatory filings.
Support and foster an environment conducive to innovation, high productivity, and high quality.
Support client design for non-standard client on-boarding for FX SI with Client Experience teams.
Support control related projects and efforts to standardize, optimize and automate control execution.
Support deviation investigations, audits and responses to internal and external requests.
Support financial reporting of investment income and reserve movement due to market changes.
Support HA Inspections and internal audit activities.
Support of Global liaison in label development.
Support patient engagement requirements by tracking system / tool.
Support preparation of project return cost data and close-out reports.
Support the building of business case(s) for process improvement projects.
Support the client team by proactively flagging new and emerging technologies.
Support the development of data driven study / program assumptions.
Support the implementation of processes and changes, to include helping colleagues navigate change.
Support the interim and annual audit processes.
Support the recruitment efforts for these programs.
Support with a variety of business development activities, as appropriate.
Take
Take a lead role in monitoring vendor performance and facilitating issue resolution.
Test
Test any strategic changes through data driven experimentation.
Track
Track and deliver multiple projects at a time.
Train
Train and drive local teams on new projects, products and workflows.
Train local teams on business development pipeline management and sales techniques.
Train speakers on promotional approved content.
Train staff in trial budgeting, forecasting, accruals and study reconciliation.
Transform
Transform the representation of the risk measures and scenarios to estimate risk profit & loss.
Translate
Translate market research insights and data into actionable recommendations.
Treat
Treat people with respect and keeps commitments.
Understand
Understand and explore industry technologies that are available, in-use, or coming soon.
Understand core data systems and processes related to Commercial Operations and Analytics.
Understand market, industry and segments to identify opportunities to sponsor local events.
Understand and apply regulatory / compliance requirements relative to their role.
Understand the end-to-end process and variations of processes geographically.
Undertake
Undertake special projects.
Use
Use logical persuasion in discussions and presentations.
Utilize
Utilize data to evaluate campaign efficacy.
Utilize technical regulatory skills to propose strategies on complex issues.
Work
Work closely with all other functions.
Work is performed under consultative direction towards corporate regulatory goals and objectives.
Work within the framework of the agency's stated vision, mission, values and goals.
Work with IT Management to identify the scope of changes and affected users related to the project.
Work with key internal teams & HQ to optimize content usage.
Work with MAR researchers to generate code lists for new measures in RWD.
Work with multiple teams to increase the target-specific audience for the category.
Work with SP Account Director team to provide operational insights and support as needed.
Write
Write and present concise findings with recommended course of action.
Write new business proposals.
Write technical protocols and reports.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Associate Director:
Project Management
Valid Driving License
Marketing
MS Excel
Finance
MS Powerpoint
Business
Accounting
MS Word
Management
Sales
Supervisory
Statistics
Life Sciences
Industry
Biotech
Manufacturing
Oncology
Chemistry
Business Acumen
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Associate Director:
Written and oral communication skills
Interpersonal skills
Analytical ability
Leadership
Problem-solving attitude
Organizational capacity
Collaborative
Presentation
Attention to detail
Work independently with little direction
Teamwork
Negotiation
Creative
Team leadership
Team player
Multi-task
Self-starter
Flexible
Self-motivated
Planning
Influencing
Build relationships
Strategic thinking
Time-management
Critical thinker
Priority management
Proactive
Detail-oriented
Results-oriented
Innovative
