This is a chance to join an independent communications agency and be based in their offices in Cheshire. You will lead an editorial team working on international accounts.

Key Purpose:

To lead the strategic and editorial development of medical communication programmes with a focus on key messages, fit-for-purpose content and overall quality of all materials. Together with relevant colleagues, to provide both tactical and strategic contribution and efficient project management, helping to build client and KOL advocacy and helping clients fulfil their marketing and strategic objectives across a range of therapy areas.

Accountabilities:
Scientific and Editorial:

• Provide senior level scientific, strategic and commercial counsel, expertise and consultancy in a range of therapy areas, competitors, new products, new indications, etc. to actively challenge and encourage writers’ thinking
• Contribute to the development of clients’ product strategy, publication plans and key message development where appropriate
• Play an active role in the development and delivery of strategic initiatives, workshops and consultancy to aid brand and product development and future tactical programmes of work for new and existing clients
• Research, write, edit and proof scientific and commercial materials over a full range of educational deliverables and target audiences to the highest levels of accuracy and completeness, incorporating data checks and fully marked up references.
• Review scientific content of written materials for colleagues to ensure that materials comply with client brief and brand objectives, internal quality standards, deadlines and other agreed specifications
• Provide timely, consistent and constructive feedback to colleagues
• Carry out checks and pre-print checks on written materials for colleagues across the company according to the QC schedule. Pro-actively liaise with appropriate writers to ensure timely reviews.
• Assist clients in disseminating marketing messages, making recommendations as appropriate for the most appropriate formats for materials and communications
• Liaise confidently with KOLs and authors to establish, develop and maintain opinion leader relationships and advocacy
• Manage on-site delivery to meet client / speaker / company requirements
• Liaise with the Editorial Assistants to ensure stylistic and grammatical accuracy, and ensure copyright compliance
• Keep up-to-date with client preferences in writing styles, wording, etc
• Provide ideas and direction for the development of creative designs where appropriate

Management:

• Provide ongoing support and mentoring for more junior writers to aid their professional development and ensure that deliverables are fit for purpose
• Provide support, consistent and constructive feedback and training as appropriate
• Work closely with the Editorial or Operations Directors to help to identify areas for development and training opportunities
• Contribute to objective setting, training and performance appraisals where appropriate

Project Management:

• Take responsibility for and manage allocated projects across specific clients and therapy areas, acting as the primary point of contact and driving the day to day project management of all assigned projects
• Set-up and maintain project files (paper and electronic copy). Track and file correspondence and project work containing all relevant project status knowledge
• Work with account services colleagues to produce and communicate regular status updates for client
• Work with account director and project manager to ensure suitable schedules are drawn up and updated as necessary
• Liaise with client, opinion leaders/speakers and in-house staff to ensure full, timely and documented approvals for all scientific project work.
• Ensure that project timelines are met and budgets adhered to; record and monitor actual vs budgeted time, and complete timesheets accurately and regularly

Client Management:

• Lead client meetings and TCs where appropriate and follow up any assigned actions from those meetings
• Confidently demonstrate proactive client service both to clients and to the wider team
• As a primary point of contact endeavour to build client relationships and advocacy through proactive and value-added interaction

New Business:

• Contribute to the development of new business proposals and pitches wherever appropriate, for existing and new clients
• Play a leading role in client-facing meetings or pitches for new business as appropriate
• Actively pursue organic business development opportunities with existing clients, liaising with management team, account director and business development team as appropriate
• Follow through on business development opportunities by establishing new projects and accounts through pro-active client and project management, and providing strategic input and scientific expertise as appropriate

Skills and Knowledge & Abilities:

• Educated to at least degree level in the physical or life sciences , preferably higher degree
• Agency editorial experience including experience of good multidisciplinary teamwork or equivalent
• Demonstrable competence in scientific and commercial writing
• Confidence in client-facing situations; ability and willingness to lead client meetings and make presentations where necessary
• Ability to adapt quickly and competently to different therapy areas and target audiences
• Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple projects and therapy areas efficiently and competently
• Ability to identify areas for organic growth and facilitate recommendations to clients
• Attention to detail – style/consistency, grammar, syntax, scientific accuracy, layout etc.
• Good knowledge of a number of therapeutic areas, medical products and the pharmaceutical industry
• Excellent project/time management and organisational skills
• IT skills (including MS Office, database searching, internet use)
• Keen budgetary awareness
• Good knowledge of code of practice guidelines for medical copy/copyright issues
• Good knowledge of the drug development process
• Excellent interpersonal/ communication skills including client/opinion leader contact skills
• Ability and willingness to mentor or train more junior staff

Package:

In return you can expect an excellent salary and package of benefits.

At ID Search & Selection we operate in a highly consultative way, taking time to understand your requirements. So if this role isn’t the “right” role please call 01932 797996 to speak with one of our highly experienced consultants.

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