Senior Medical Writer

Senior Medical writer

Reporting to: Scientific Director

Key Responsibilities

Communication

• Understand the purpose and role of communications in the wider therapy area and commercial landscape
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly to different audiences through a variety of media (print and digital)
• Identify and communicate important therapy area updates and any medical/regulatory milestones to the team and clients where appropriate. Link this with any potential new business opportunities where applicable
• Provide regular feedback to junior teams across accounts and projects
• Ensure regular status updates to senior team members on accounts and projects, including being able to clearly escalate anticipated challenges/needs in a timely manner

Project Delivery

• Able to work across multiple projects and accounts simultaneously, whilst monitoring team output
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of timelines, budgetary constraints and scopes of work
• Adhere to the quality control process and ensure all work produced by the team has gone through the correct internal review process, setting the example for junior team members to follow
• Demonstrate a good understanding of project management and resource planning
• Maintain a working knowledge of pharmaceutical industry standards and compliance
• Enter time and submit expenses by the deadlines set, using appropriate job codes

Scientifically Savvy

• Independently produce consistently high-level content
• Independently and accurately incorporate strategic concepts into projects
• Lead and develop content with minimal review/direction, including data understanding and ability to communicate to a wide range of complex projects
• Become a scientific expert in your allocated therapy areas, sharing your knowledge within the agency and with clients where appropriate
• Lead and take responsibility for client review meetings, and demonstrate the ability to present and be comfortable with the interrogation of your work

Business Development

• Work with relevant project teams to help develop project proposals and input on budgets
• Attend pitches as required

Collaboration and Building Relationships

• Build effective relationships with external suppliers, key opinion leaders and medical experts to help develop high-quality content
• Establish and maintain excellent working relationships within and across departments, attending and proactively contributing to briefing/internal discussions
• Independently lead written and verbal client communications
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of business offerings, identifying opportunities for account growth and cross-selling
• Proactively address and manage any conflicts that arise

Developing Talent

• Oversee the work of and provide clear direction to junior scientific services colleagues, delegating responsibilities and tasks where appropriate to provide experience, growth and knowledge transfer
• Review copy and provide helpful and clear constructive feedback to junior team members
• Assist junior team members with interpreting external feedback and applying learnings
• Help guide junior team members in their own strategic development by clearly explaining how to incorporate strategic concepts into projects
• Assist junior team members in identifying tasks and responsibilities that need to be prioritised and explaining the rationale
• Provide effective line management, and supervise and support your team to help them achieve their objectives

Taking the Initiative

• Ask team members (across all levels) for feedback, and proactively implement learnings
• Own responsibility for your personal development, regularly looking for other ways to learn and grow professionally by maximising exposure to new opportunities, making the most of training and requesting training as required
• Undertake tasks outside of the specifics of the job description where business reasons require it

Adherence to company best working practices

Undertake tasks outside of the specifics of the job description where business reasons require it

Senior Medical writers are required to adhere to HCG’s standard policies and procedures. Failure to comply with any policy may result in retraining, disciplinary action and/or possible dismissal. Copies of HCG policies, including but not limited to the following, are available from HR:

• Ethical Working Practices
• Client Confidentiality Agreements
• Timesheet Submission Practices
• Email, Internet, and Electronic Information Policy
• Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Policy

Skills and Experience:

Essential

• Educated to degree level in a relevant science subject or 3 years’ relevant experience
• Experience with medical writing, in particular Publications work
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office programmes (e.g. PowerPoint, Excel, etc.)
• Have an excellent command of the English language in both written and verbal communications

Desirable

• Previous experience in a medical communications agency or industry would be advantageous
• Previous line management experience would be advantageous
• A keen interest in working and developing scientific expertise across a range of therapy areas
• Ability to travel