Senior Scientific Manager - Medical Communications

Sr Scientific Director

At ICON, it's our people that set us apart.

As a global provider of drug development solutions, our work is serious business. But that doesn't mean you can't have fun while you do it. With our vision to be the partner of choice in drug development, we hire only the best and brightest in the industry. Are you one of them?

We are looking for passionate, resilient, and inspiring individuals to join our team.

As the Senior Scientific Director (SSD), you will serve as the clinical lead on product accounts as well as having management responsibilities for medical writers and/or ASD staff member working directly on the same products/accounts as the SSD. The SSD is delegated the responsibility and authority for content quality oversight of the product team, and is responsible for reviewing all project- or client-related content for message accuracy and consistency. The SSD will work closely with other members of the product team to develop and maintain strong client relations, and have an active role in the management of the team and its support of client-related work and interactions. You will be responsible for providing leadership within that product team, and for providing strategic input within the team. Travel to professional meetings, client locations, and other project-related travel is required.

The Role:

• Supervise and direct writers and ASD level staff to produce optimal efficiency and professionalism in all contacts with CHC staff, visitors, clients, and vendors; this can include managing staff on other product teams that the SSD does not directly work on
• Complete all annual employee performance evaluations in a timely manner
• Evaluate timesheets
• Administer CHC editorial procedures in a thorough and consistent manner
• Work with Vice President/Senior Vice President and staff to further develop technical competencies as necessary * Contribute to the management of the CHC−product-level team and its support and oversight of client interactions relating to client-related projects. Manage staff and work with other departments to achieve company productivity, recoverability, and other business measures as defined
• Approve requests for absentee time
• Responsible for overall client satisfaction and the quality of all editorial work delivered by CHC
• Assume the role of central resource for product information pertinent to his/her client
• Enforce review procedures within product team
• Develop content standards relative to his/her product and work with manager to enforce
• Function as the last quality-assurance sign-off in his/her product area
• Responsible for establishing project lead times and acquiring/confirming resources to initiate projects (data, study reports, client input, resource contacts, etc)
• Establish and maintain a working relationship with the client concerning content issues
• Contribute to/review project specifications (eg, timelines and costs) at proposal stage
• Make editorial assignments within product team and participate in selection of pooled and/or freelance writers when needed
• Follow editorial and traffic procedures
• Ensure content objectives and specifications are met
• Serve as bridge between strategic product plan and application/use of clinical and preclinical data to mesh with marketing strategy where necessary and requested by the client
• Recommend/develop project opportunities with the account manager where appropriate
• Responsible for maintaining a working knowledge of all aspects of project development from initiation to completion
• Ultimate responsibility for all editorial projects within the product team
• Responsible for timely and appropriate reporting to appropriate staff concerning communications with clients and authors
• Responsible for attendance at project meetings and for providing status reports at these meetings regarding projects in progress, Attend off-site meetings as required
• Research assigned projects (conduct MEDLINE searches, obtain reprints of articles, read background material, including books, journal articles, study reports, etc)
• Write specific projects as assigned (outlines, manuscripts, abstracts, slide presentations, posters, meeting reports, training materials, etc)
• Prepare draft of graphics (tables, hand-drawn figures, charts)
• Work with staff, clients, and authors to incorporate changes to written materials
• Responsible for knowledge of AMA and CHC styles of writing
• Responsible for obtaining background material sufficient to complete projects successfully (eg, obtaining data and client/author input and reviews)
• Responsible for fact checking (including references) and spell checking manuscripts and project materials
• Responsible and accountable for producing manuscripts and other project materials at a higher level of writing and greater technical accuracy (eg, organization, syntax, grammar, clarity, focus, "messaging") that require a minimum level of editing/rewriting * Responsible for accomplishing tasks within allotted time frame
• Responsible for budget awareness and meeting budget
• Responsible for maintaining project folders and project file network directories (including copies of all research/background materials used, copies of communications with authors/clients, and copies of all significant drafts prepared) in a fashion that will facilitate others being able to easily track the progress of projects
• Responsible for assisting and working with graphics staff and editorial support staff to provide necessary background and technical information required to complete tasks for review and approval of this work
• Grading medical writing tests
• Record all client project time and absentee time into Timekeeper and ADP eTIME on a weekly basis
• Complete other administrative tasks (such as travel expense forms) in a timely and efficient mannerWhat you need:
• PhD, PharmD, MD required
• Minimum of 3-6 years of writing and editing experience as a Sr Medical Writer & 2-3 years' experience as the clinical lead for product teams
• Prior experience in a medical education/communications agency
• Strong Client Relationship Management
• Proven leadership skills
• CMPP/MAPPS Certification preferred