Associate Director, Influencer Marketing

Role Summary

Designs and leads a unified influencer and ambassador program strategy to deepen patient engagement, build trust in Takeda, and elevate brand awareness. Develops patient ambassador and influencer marketing strategies that drive innovation and impact, building partnerships with creators and authentic, compliant storytelling. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to execute strategies for maximum success. The ideal candidate combines consumer marketing expertise with curiosity and adaptability, and embraces AI tools to improve efficiency and innovation. Reports to the Director, Consumer Strategy & Marketing.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own KPI-driven influencer and ambassador strategies aligned to brand goals, omnichannel plans, and patient journeys.
• Identify, recruit, and nurture strong relationships with influencers/creators/celebrity ambassadors (across tiers), and HCP digital opinion leaders who align with Takeda's mission and values.
• Develop a patient Ambassador Program (unbranded and branded), including programming strategy, goals and KPIs.
• Oversee the creative development of influencer and ambassador-led content (testimonials, website tools, social activations, etc.) across live and virtual events, digital campaigns, and advocacy platforms.
• Run patient advisory board/summit meetings to garner insights and to activate the patient community through authentic personal storytelling.
• Partner closely with Omnichannel team to integrate ambassador/influencer content into broader omnichannel programs (digital media, CRM, websites, etc.).
• Collaborate with advocacy groups to incorporate real patient perspectives into marketing initiatives.
• Foster ongoing engagement with ambassadors through communication touchpoints, mentorship, recognition programs, and community-building efforts.
• Facilitate development of scopes of work and partnership agreements, ensuring adherence to industry regulations, privacy laws, disclosures, and Takeda's policies and guidelines.
• Develop and lead influencer onboarding, training and governance processes related to programming, compliant content creation, fair balance, disclosure requirements, adverse event (AE) reporting and risk mitigation.
• Serve as a key liaison with Legal, Ethics & Compliance, Regulatory, Medical, and Pharmacovigilance to proactively manage risk and maintain brand safety.
• Manage performance of influencer and ambassador initiatives, tracking ROI, brand safety, sentiment, reach, and audience impact.
• Stay current on digital, social, and creator trends—recommending innovations that improve reach, engagement, compliance, and program ROI.
• Continuously optimize influencer and ambassador mix, platform selection, creative strategy, and budget allocation based on insights and learning.

Qualifications

• Minimum BS/BA degree with MS/MBA preferred.
• 5+ years of marketing and/or PR experience managing influencer and celebrity ambassador programs; 3+ years in pharma/healthcare or other regulated industry.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing ambassador programs and celebrity influencer campaigns that drive measurable outcomes.
• Strong understanding of social platforms (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, LinkedIn, Facebook) and creator ecosystems.
• Experience managing agencies, influencer platforms, and analytics tools.
• Strong familiarity with healthcare compliance, privacy laws, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with contract negotiation, partner onboarding, and content governance.
• Excellent project management and communication skills and experience managing cross-functional relationships.
• Proven track record of influencing, aligning, and inspiring cross-functional stakeholders at all levels, building trust and cultivating strong relationships to achieve shared goals.
• Results-driven mindset with a high level of ownership, urgency, and resilience, consistently delivering on commitments while navigating obstacles and evolving business needs.
• Demonstrated ability to use data, insights, and structured analysis to inform decisions, challenge assumptions, and recommend evidence-based actions.
• A courageous leader who drives change with clarity and conviction, even in the face of ambiguity, resistance, or conflicting priorities.