Editorial Director

Be part of something great!

Synchrony Group is an independently owned network of companies, headquartered in West Chester, PA.

At Synchrony, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality products and services in the medical communications industry. Our vision is to create the highest value for our clients and the most opportunity for our team members, while working together to improve the lives of patients. Collectively, we are leaders in strategic planning, development, and execution of best-in-class programs that address medical needs, maximize strategic objectives, and make significant scientific and clinical contributions. Our passion and commitment to improving outcomes for our clients, healthcare professionals, and patients drives us to exceed expectations in everything we do.

Synchrony consists of integrated groups of medical-scientific, clinical, creative, commercial, and industry experts. Synchrony Healthcare Communications specializes in branded and disease state marketing/promotional campaigns and initiatives. Our teams reflect our commitment to excellence—we’re smart, enthusiastic, and driven. We align the skills, experiences, and perspectives of diverse individuals to achieve unparalleled results in an environment of respect and mutual support. Above all, we are passionate about changing the world and improving the lives of patients.

Our success is built on the foundation of our team, and we’re always striving to strengthen our foundation. More than just seeking out the best and brightest to join us, we also create a work environment in which employees are respected and encouraged to grow.

Are you looking to be part of something great? We’d like to meet you!

The Editorial Director oversees and manages internal Editorial Services personnel and external editorial contractors as needed to accommodate workflow and timely delivery of projects while maintaining the highest standards of quality and accuracy. The Editorial Director plays a key role in establishing, evaluating, and maintaining departmental policies and procedures as well as ensuring adherence to these procedures and prioritizing work schedules. The Editorial Director also has primary responsibility for assigned departmental personnel, including employee recruitment, mentorship, and retention. Accountabilities include team leadership and development, as well as the efficient and high-quality execution of editorial services within industry regulations and requirements for promotional medical communications.

Job Duties

Leadership/Management

• Manage editorial workflow for promotional education and marketing communication materials (eg, slide presentations, brochures, print and digital selling tools, promotional mailings, video scripts, websites, and other digital assets) and regulatory documents
• Establish, maintain, and oversee adherence to editorial procedures, processes, and work schedules
• Work closely with the Project Management and Medical Services departments to ensure proper resourcing and review/revise policies/procedures as needed to increase department efficiency
• Work closely with Project Management to actively manage the departmental budget as it relates to contract editorial expenses
• Proactively assist colleagues across departments with editorial- and resourcing-related problem-solving, troubleshooting, and brainstorming, including development of new editorial policies/procedures if appropriate
• Provide direct supervision and oversight to all department personnel, including employee recruitment, mentorship, and retention
• Ensure departmental adherence to time reporting expectations as an essential part of resourcing and cost assessments

Internal and External Relationships

• Support key internal committees pertaining to Editorial Services
• Foster and develop collaboration between Editorial Services and other departments, internal groups, and individuals to ensure innovative and collaborative solutions to departmental efficiency and client needs
• Be a positive force for enhancing the team culture, consensus building, and internal communications
• Keep senior management apprised of key departmental concerns and issues

Editorial Services

• Collaborate with Medical Services and Creative Services department personnel to ensure accuracy of content and convey editorial comments
• Attend product status meetings as required, and all individual project kick-off meetings as the senior representative for upcoming or in-progress editorial projects
• Assign work to department personnel, and review work to provide guidance/feedback as needed
• Contract with and provide guidance to external freelance editors to accommodate departmental workflow; monitor quality of work and provide feedback as needed
• Identify need for, create, maintain, and ensure adherence of department personnel to project-, product-, and client-specific style guides where applicable to ensure consistency across projects
• Ensure communication of internal style to all internal team members as well as external contract editors and writers; communicate changes in style to team members to ensure consistency/accuracy across projects
• Serve as subject-matter expert with regard to copyright permissions to reproduce figures/tables and obtain permissions from publishers
• Actively pursue expertise in industry best practices and regulatory guidance across types of promotional materials and serve as subject-matter expert on promotional education/communication guidelines and regulations
• Perform spectrum of project-specific editorial tasks as needed
• Provide guidance regarding administrative tasks to aid in department efficiency

Key Competencies

• Highly effective and developed leadership skills
• Ability to manage outcomes to win-win resolutions
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, and accountability
• Well-developed professional communication skills, including written and interpersonal
• Excellent organizational, prioritization, and time management skills, with a track record of attention to detail and ability to manage group priorities to meet timelines
• Knowledge of industry guidelines, regulations, and requirements
• Ability to train and provide management and developmental support to direct reports in preparation for future positions
• Ability to identify key issues; creatively and strategically overcome challenges or obstacles
• Ability to prioritize, coordinate, and execute multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment to serve many therapeutic teams and meet project goals
• Outstanding knowledge of grammar and usage, medical writing style guidelines (ie, AMA Manual of Style), and promotional activity regulations and specifications
• Familiarity with general scientific concepts and ability to grasp more complex scientific applications
• Expert knowledge of Microsoft (MS) Word and PowerPoint applications
• Proficiency in MS Excel and Adobe® Acrobat applications
• Ability to master various content management systems
• Desire to meet professional goals and acquire new skills

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (science or English degrees preferred)
• 5-7 years’ pharmaceutical/medical editing experience
• 1-2 years’ experience managing personnel

Preferred Skills/Experience

• 5 years’ experience specifically working as an editor for a medical communications agency or pharmaceutical company marketing department
• Familiarity with electronic document review systems

Working Conditions

• Minimal travel may be required (<5%)
• Ability to commit to extra hours and/or nontraditional hours as client needs require

Synchrony places high value on the well-being of its employees; therefore, Synchrony team members are eligible for a comprehensive array of benefits, including competitive salaries, generous paid time off, excellent health insurance, family leave, and a 401(k) plan with employer matching.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

EOE. Synchrony is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role.