Scientific Director, Medical Communications

Are you passionate about translating cutting-edge science into meaningful outcomes for patients? Join a collaborative, high-performing medical communications team where your scientific expertise directly informs impactful programs for leading pharmaceutical and biotech clients. In this role, you’ll partner across disciplines to shape strategy, elevate scientific storytelling, and contribute to a culture built on excellence, innovation, and long-standing client success. This is an opportunity to grow within a dynamic organization known for its award-winning work, strong client partnerships, and commitment to professional development.

About the Role

The Scientific Director leads the strategic direction and execution of scientific content across client engagements, ensuring all deliverables are evidence-based, scientifically rigorous, and aligned with broader brand and business objectives. As the scientific lead, the Scientific Director sets the vision for content strategy and drives integration of scientific, clinical, and market insights to deliver high-impact programs. This role includes oversight of multiple projects and teams, mentorship of junior and mid-level staff, and accountability for quality, consistency, and strategic alignment across all deliverables.

Responsibilities

Content Development

• Set the strategic direction for scientific content across accounts, ensuring alignment with client objectives, brand strategy, and medical priorities.
• Provide senior-level oversight and final accountability for the quality, accuracy, and consistency of all deliverables.
• Maintain oversight of content development processes and training.
• Guide teams in interpreting complex clinical data and translating insights into differentiated scientific communications.
• Identify opportunities to elevate content through strategic storytelling and market insights.
• Maintain deep therapeutic area expertise.

Collaboration & Communication

• Serve as a senior scientific partner to clients, providing strategic recommendations and solutions.
• Lead or oversee scientific discussions with clients and key opinion leaders.
• Direct cross-functional teams toward strong execution.
• Build collaborative stakeholder relationships.
• Contribute to proposal and pitch development.

Account Support

• Oversee large accounts or groups of smaller accounts.
• Review timelines, budgets, and resource requirements.
• Drive operational consistency and best practices.
• Ensure regulatory and compliance standards are met.
• Identify and mitigate risks proactively.
• Support resource planning and account health.
• Apply financial understanding including utilization, burn, and scope management.

Scientific Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and inspire scientific teams, establishing standards of excellence.
• Support team engagement and change initiatives.
• Address team dynamics and provide direct feedback.
• Contribute to department standards, processes, and training.
• Identify capability gaps and partner with leadership on solutions.

Team Integration & Professional Skills

• Demonstrate leadership presence and sound judgment.
• Manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Delegate while maintaining accountability.
• Promote collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Communicate confidently with senior stakeholders.
• Adapt to evolving client and business needs.

Additional Responsibilities for People Managers

• Directly manage, coach, and develop assigned MW and ASD team members.
• Set performance expectations and support career development.
• Ensure appropriate workload distribution and utilization.
• Participate in performance reviews and promotion recommendations.
• Support hiring, interviewing, candidate assessment, and onboarding.

Requirements

• Doctoral-level degree in life sciences (PhD, PharmD, MD, or equivalent).
• Extensive medical writing and scientific content development experience.
• 5-7+ years of medical communications agency experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and reference management tools (e.g., EndNote).

Benefits

• Discretionary annual bonus.
• Health insurance.
• Retirement savings benefits.
• Life insurance and disability benefits.
• Parental leave.
• Paid time off for sick leave and vacation.

Pay

Reasonable estimate of the current range: $125,000 USD - $155,000 USD.