| Description |
My client is now looking to recruit a Senior Manager or Director to establish and head up the scientific services department within the agency, this to eventually incorporate the publication, writing and editorial departments.
Both you and this department will play a critical role in the future growth and success of the agency and we therefore require a Director level candidate with the ability to set-up and oversee the successful development of this department and the team within it.
Key objectives:
- To strategically lead the scientific, writing/publications and editorial department across all key aspects of our client business
- To establish, grow and develop a team of expert medical writers within the areas of scientific services and publications planning/management.
- To liaise effectively and to work with client account teams and NB (New Business) to assist in the co-ordination and implementation of client communication programmes at both pre and post launch phases.
o There will be a key focus on your scientific input into marketing strategy, evolvement of brand platforms, key messages, content and overall quality of all educational materials.
o This to be in conjunction with relevant colleagues within the company and possibly also with external contacts.
- To support and become actively involved in brainstorming/product strategies alongside NB and also with new client pitches/presentations
- To provide therapy area advice/expertise/consultancy (internally and externally).
Main duties:
- To support the development and implementation of strategic communication plans in close collaboration with client and internal account teams/NB.
o Line management responsibilities for team members
- Working closely with the SMT (Senior Management Team) to plan resource, and define internal strategy in order to match all client needs
- To act as the primary scientific strategy contact for the account teams on larger programmes or on a number of medium-sized accounts.
- To oversee and work with colleagues on the design, development, implementation and management of publication strategy and publications plans.
- To oversee, manage and support activities requiring scientific research, scientific writing (project briefs and actual project), editing and proofing of copy to the highest standard (scientific and grammatical) for a full range of educational materials and target audiences.
- Quality Control checking of copy for other Medical Writers across the department.
o Establish systems to enable this effective Quality Control across the department
- To be available and often actively involved in client meetings/presentations to clients and/or speakers
- Provide on-site scientific support to meet the client’s needs if required alongside the team, e.g., on-site writing/editing, faculty support
- To work with the client service teams in order to establish/develop and maintain client and opinion leader relationships.
Management responsibilities:
- To assist in recruitment, management and development of all trainee medical writers/editorial assistants
- To ensure established team procedures are followed for all:-
o checking of proofs and printer’s proofs (text, layout, colour, specification) and sign-off for print/production.
o Accurate/precise implementation of client/author corrections.
- To mentor medical writers working on client programme and train trainee medical writers
- To establish, utilise and manage a database of freelance and contract freelance assistance (commissioning/briefing freelancers).
Qualifications/ skills and knowledge:
- PHD or higher in medical science
- Significant agency environment experience specifically in scientific writing and evolving and implementing scientific communications strategy
- Good knowledge of a number of therapeutic areas and therapies covering both primary and secondary care globally
- Strong commercial awareness of the pharmaceutical industry with experience at both pre and post launch phases of the product lifecycle
- Not essential but ideally has worked within a senior pharma or NHS role
- Familiar with all codes of practice guidelines for medical copy/copyright issues.
- Familiar with drug development regulatory guidelines/issues and the need for brand commercialization
- Effective presentation, interview and appraisal skills
- Excellent scientific writing ability and ability to understand how to adapt for different target audiences
- Ability to ensure all agency writing meets the client’s strategic marketing objectives as well as being of high scientific quality/credibility.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with ability to lead and grow small project team.
- Experience of good multidisciplinary teamwork and demonstrable management skills
- Budgetary and commercial awareness will be required
- Excellent attention to detail – style/consistency, grammar, syntax, scientific accuracy, proof-reading, layout, etc.
- Experience with range of media, including print and multi-media (video, CD-ROM and web-based)
- Equivalent knowledge and experience will be considered.
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