Medical Director - Publications

POSITION SUMMARY:
The primary job functions of the Medical Director, Publications Team Lead are to write original content and provide edits for content, style, and strategy, while providing oversight to junior team members. The Medical Director engages with publication clients, leveraging scientific expertise to support the publication planning process and ensure individual publications align with the overall publication strategy. This position engages with account services and business development to provide clinical insight and strategic direction that drives the business forward. This position is responsible for leading and mentoring junior clinical team members to ensure accountability and promote career development. Robust publications experience, flexibility, strategic acumen, and an ability to engage across multiple accounts and activities are a necessity.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership/Management

• Provides day-to-day oversight and guidance to assigned medical writers across publication accounts to ensure fulfillment of each client’s needs and strategic objectives.
• Ensures quality of assigned team’s deliverables
• Recommends recognition and disciplinary action for assigned employees; addresses complaints and resolves problems
• Provides direct management and mentorship of medical writers   
• Actively contributes to interview process for appropriate hires
• Ensures adherence to Good Publication Practices

Clinical and Strategic Engagement

• Plans develops, and writes materials as assigned, creating content aligned with our client’s strategic imperatives
• Takes ownership of client relationships, working with account teams to develop a strong client partnership and build the client’s confidence in the company's ability to activate their science in a meaningful and effective way
• Engages extensively with authors, exhibiting a professional, confident, and competent image and demeanor
• Provides clinical insight for business development purposes and regularly participates in pitches
• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the brands, their strategic/relevant histories, and performance

Agency Operations

• Works with clinical and strategic leadership to ensure appropriate clinical resource allocation for assigned business
• Engages with the account team to monitor the clinical portion of budgets
• Monitors productivity of direct reports
• Identifies ways to improve operating efficiencies and effectiveness

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Advanced scientific or medical degree (MD, PhD, PharmD) required.
• 3+ years of publications experience, preferably at a Medical Director or comparable level with a focus in a healthcare marketing or communications agency setting, or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• Significant experience managing, mentoring and developing team members
• Trained in good publication practices, including ICJME and GPP3; CMPP preferred but not required
• Significant involvement in publication planning
• Expert writing and editorial skills with a thorough knowledge of AMA style and medical terminology expertise.
• Excellent communication skills applied in effective collaborative interactions with employees at all levels of the organization and with client and industry partners
• Proven management and organizational skills; flexibility; ability to manage multiple projects in conjunction with normal job activities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Professional software package, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Must be a self-starter with the ability to work independently or as part of a team, whenever appropriate
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from clients, faculty, regulatory agencies, or members of the medical community

Normal office environment with moderate noise levels and frequent use of computers; general hotel atmosphere during programs/meetings. Physical activities may include sitting for extended periods of time, walking or standing up to 15%, and occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds. Keyboarding and speaking are regularly performed in this position. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.