Lead Medical Writer - Publications

A BOLDSCIENCE Lead Medical Writer (LMW) has a wealth of experience within the Medical Communications industry. They have experience working across a broad range of deliverables and therapy areas and are becoming a subject matter expert in one therapy area. An LMW has excellent technical writing skills and has now become the delivery lead on their account. In this role they are responsible for managing the scientific team on the account, ensuring deliverables are on time, on budget and delivered to the highest quality standards. An LMW is all about the team and takes pride in upskilling their team by reviewing materials, regular feedback and mentoring. They are a lynchpin in the scientific services team, and they keep the senior scientific in the loop on key account activity.

Day to Day Responsibilities:

At BOLDSCIENCE no two days are the same and our Lead Medical Writer play an active role to support their account and the Scientific Services team. Some typical activities include:

Technical Writing:

• Designs, develops and reviews different types of materials across a wide range of project types for various audiences. Materials include slide decks, video scripts, website copy, publications, abstracts/posters and GAP analyses
• Ensures that the written materials of the team are scientifically accurate, fully referenced, appropriate to the target audience, and meet client objectives
• Ensures that team deliverables consistently meet the highest quality standards which are thought through, well researched, technically accurate, and to the specified time and budget allocated for the project
• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the client brief; asks well-informed questions to ensure that all relevant information has been received and ensures the team has a thorough and in-depth brief
• Critically reviews deliverables of junior-level writers, providing constructive feedback and coaching; always takes the time to answer any questions from the team
• Has expert knowledge of client review and approval systems, such as Veeva, DataVision etc, and ensures all deliverables comply with industry codes, such as the ABPI
• Leads and drives the delivery of larger medical conference and meeting events, including symposia, advisory boards, investigator meetings, and communication and publication workshops, including on-site management

Scientific Knowledge:

• Develops and maintains in-depth knowledge across relevant therapy areas with emerging expertise in at least one therapy area (e.g. oncology)
• Has their finger on the pulse on industry trends and scientific developments, sharing their knowledge with internal teams and clients (where appropriate)
• Is flexible and eager to work across different client accounts, deliverables, and therapy areas
• Has knowledge of leading experts within a specific therapeutic area

Client Project Management skills:

• Leads client meetings when appropriate, including project kick-off, regular status and ad hoc client and HCP calls; updates client on key scientific/content actions and answers any questions they may have
• Builds strong client relationships with the confidence to push back and advise where necessary
• Has the experience to lead briefing calls and follow-up conversations with HCPs and other subject matter experts
• Starts to help shape client strategy, recommending new projects or advising when taking a different approach may better meet client objectives
• Can own and delegate projects from start to finish with little to no technical input from senior team members
• Works closely with the Client Services team to review timelines, budget hours, and scientific resourcing needs
• Ensures that senior team members are regularly updated and have a clear picture of account activity and resourcing needs, foreseeing and escalating any red flags
• Organizes and effectively manages their team as well as their own time to prioritize tasks across different accounts
• Contributes to new business pitches

People Management skills:

• Manages direct reports effectively by providing constructive and actionable feedback
• Provides regular feedback and guidance to the team throughout the course of projects
• Mentors junior level team members and adopts a coaching approach to ensure that they feel supported
• Oversees activities of junior colleagues ensuring that excellent quality is maintained
• Develops and mentors mid-level staff instilling best practices

Required Qualifications:

• Higher degree in a relevant subject (PhD, MD, PharmD etc)
• 3-4 years of medical writing experience within Medical Communications
• Excellent scientific and editorial competency
• Experience of building strong relationships with clients and HCPs
• Ability to critically review deliverables for scientific accuracy and integrity
• Experience of coaching and mentoring junior level writers
• Proactive approach and an enthusiasm for trying new things
• Ability to work under pressure and juggle multiple deadlines