Scientific Director, Medical Communications

About the role

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.

The primary responsibility of the Scientific Director (SD) is to ensure that all content developed is evidence-based, of the highest editorial quality, meets the strategic objectives of our clients, and ultimately translates science into clinical benefit. The SD functions as the scientific team lead, providing scientific and medical expertise, strategies, and perspectives by staying abreast of the most up-to-date research and marketplace changes impacting the therapeutic area and the Brand. The SD partners effectively with Strategic Account Directors to translate strategic, marketing, and educational objectives into compelling programs and serves as the primary quality-control contact for internal and external content development.

Responsibilities

• Writes, reviews, and provides feedback/direction to others involved in the content development process (e.g., Medical Writers, Editors, Graphic Artists) to ensure content meets objectives and strategic needs while adhering to Precision AQ standards.
• Analyzes, interprets, and utilizes complex medical documents; reviews analyses conducted by junior team members.
• Leads and/or supports discussions of content directly with authors and clients.
• Manages and mentors Medical Writers within the team.
• Maintains current knowledge (e.g., conducts literature searches) regarding competitor products, drugs in development, treatment, and strategic issues for assigned therapeutic area(s).
• Attends medical conferences and assesses competitor product activity and market opportunities for client products.
• Provides scientific and strategic background to Writers, Editors, and other staff members.
• Identifies and helps develop new clients in the relevant medical field.
• Manages timelines and expectations throughout the content development process.
• Oversees and manages the regulatory review process for all projects within client team(s).
• Ensures consistency and leverages learnings in regulatory review and other processes across client team(s).
• Attends and helps design advisory board meetings.
• Assists with strategic planning for business development.
• Travel: moderate to extensive depending upon team assignment.

Additional Responsibilities

• Identifies new business opportunities for the Strategic Account Director to pursue.
• Participates in new business development presentations and pitches.
• Works with the Vice President - Content Development to define Precision AQ Standards of Excellence and ensure all content meets these standards (e.g., evidence-based, original, appropriately referenced, and adheres to industry and client standards).
• Assists in developing and defining content development processes and procedures to improve efficiency.
• Tracks team assignments, determines how to better share resources, and identifies gaps to fill them.
• Assists in developing and providing routine training and development for Writers and Editors to consistently deliver Standards of Excellence.

Requirements

• Impeccable written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and within a collaborative team setting.
• Superior time management skills to work effectively within demanding timelines.
• Ability to interact in a professional manner with clients and thought leaders in a variety of therapeutic areas.

Qualifications

• Advanced life sciences degree: MD, PhD, or PharmD.
• Extensive medical writing experience.
• Communication agency experience (at least 2-3 years).

Skills

• Proficiency in Word®, PowerPoint®, Excel®, Adobe Acrobat®, and reference-management software (EndNote®).

Pay

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

Benefits

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