Associate Director, India Strategy, Communications

When our values align, there's no limit to what we can achieve.   We are seeking a dynamic, experienced professional to join our team as an Associate Director in our India entity. By working closely together with the India leadership, this position will play a key role in shaping the company's India strategy and driving communications and marketing planning and initiatives internally and externally.  The successful candidate will possess strong strategic thinking capabilities, excellent communication skills, solid external/internal communications and marketing experience and a proven ability to manage cross-functional initiatives. This role will focus on corporate communications (50%), company strategy development (40%), and marketing (10%) in India. This position will report directly to the Senior Vice President, Asia/Pacific Strategy & Head of Greater China, and be a part of the APAC Strategy & Marketing team and Parexel India leadership team, offering an exciting opportunity to work closely with senior leadership on both strategic, communications and marketing initiatives. Key Responsibilities: External and Internal Communications (50%) Continue to enhance Parexel’s corporate image in India, position Parexel as the choice of local talent and remain in forefront of local regulator, media and other external stakeholders e.g. site and patient as appropriate. Lead the development and execution of external communication strategies, including media relations and crisis management. Develop and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders, including industry media and government agencies. Coordinate with global external communication and Corporate Affairs teams to ensure alignment of key messaging across all platforms. Oversee content creation, presentations, newsletters, and reports for both internal and external audiences. Support India country head, ensuring clear, consistent, and effective communication to both external and internal stakeholders. Provide guidance and support for employee engagement initiatives to foster a transparent and collaborative culture. India Strategy (40%) Work closely with the APAC strategy team and India leadership to develop and implement strategic initiatives that drive business growth and profitability. Support APAC strategy team to conduct strategic analysis of market trends, competitors, and regulatory environment in India to inform the company's India decision-making. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align India priorities with the strategic vision and objectives. Contribute to the preparation of India strategic plans, presentations for leadership. Support decision-making on key investments and business partnerships. Marketing (10%) Plan and implement marketing activities with support from local sales team, including local conferences, exhibitions, customer events, webinars, email outreaches. Collaborate with the Global and APAC marketing teams to develop localized campaigns that resonate with the target customers in India. Internal and External Stakeholders Internal Stakeholders :These are individuals or teams within the organization who are directly impacted by or contribute to communication and strategic initiatives. The role will involve collaborating with internal stakeholders such as:APAC Strategy & Marketing Team: Aligning India-specific strategies with broader regional and global objectives. Work closely with peers to develop and implement regional initiatives.India Leadership Team : Align local strategy, communications marketing with the global and regional strategy.Marketing & External Communications Team : Work closely with the team to create aligned thought leadership programs, messaging, campaigns, content and key branding designs.Corporate Affairs: Work closely with the team to create aligned messaging for employee engagement, local announcement and crisis management and lead/implementation of key India employee events and global executive visits. External Stakeholders :These are individuals or organizations outside the company that influence or are influenced by the company’s operations. The role will involve engaging with external stakeholders such as:Media & Press : Building relationships with industry media, journalists, and influencers to manage company reputation and share strategic messaging.Government Agencies & Regulators : Maintain high profile in front of regulatory bodies.Clients : Engage with clients and differentiate Parexel to improve the right-to-win.Sites & Patients: work with India leadership and support site engagement.Industry Associations & Thought Leaders : work with India leadership to represent Parexel in local industry forums and collaborate with thought leaders to shape public perception and policy. Qualifications: Education : Bachelor’s degree in business, Communications, Marketing, or related field. MBA or equivalent is highly desirable. Experience :Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in communications, strategy or related roles.At least 3 years of experience in a leadership or management position.Experience in the life sciences or pharmaceutical industry is preferred.Strong knowledge of the Indian market, including regulatory and competitive landscape is preferred. Skills & Abilities :Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and business acumen.Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to tailor messaging to different audiences.Proven experience in developing and executing external and internal communications strategies.Experience in media relations and crisis communication management.Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.Knowledge of field marketing tactics and strategies is a plus.Fluency in English; proficiency in Hindi or other regional languages is a plus. Personal Attributes: Leadership & Collaboration : Strong team player with the ability to lead projects and work effectively with senior management and cross-functional teams. Proactive & Results-Driven : Ability to take initiative and work independently to achieve measurable results. Cultural Sensitivity : Understanding of and sensitivity to diverse cultural perspectives. Adaptability : Comfortable working in a dynamic environment and able to quickly pivot to address new challenges. Why Join Us? Be part of a global, innovative company with a mission of accelerating the delivery of life-changing treatments to patients with heart. Opportunity to lead key strategic initiatives and contribute to the growth of the business. Work with talented and passionate colleagues in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. Opportunities for professional growth.