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Scientific Director

New York, New York, United States

Scientific Director

About Us

Virgo Health works for pharmaceutical, biotech, and device companies to inform and educate healthcare professionals about the latest developments in clinical research and therapeutic approaches. We leverage our meetings, digital, and interactive expertise to understand what’s easy and relevant for healthcare professionals to engage with. We tailor our content and design it to offer choice and active participation. Real, relevant, and human.

Job Overview
The scientific director (SD) will take ownership and oversee the production of high-quality educational materials for the pharmaceutical industry and other educational bodies, with the main aim of supporting clients in communicating their scientific and strategic objectives.

The Scientific Director will also demonstrate scientific expertise and contribute to the organic growth of accounts and development of new business proposals through the application of therapeutic and strategic marketing knowledge.

Core Responsibilities
Research and Writing
• Take responsibility for researching and developing editorial aspects of educational materials
• Prepare high-level, strategic medical/marketing materials
• Manage delivery of communications program aligned with client objectives
• Incorporate and manage client feedback and evaluate success/quality of medical writing materials
• Seek additional opportunities to develop research and writing skills

Client/Thought Leader Handling
• Demonstrate high-level, strategic visibility to clients and act at senior level in client meetings
• Demonstrate excellent opinion leader knowledge and management

Team Working
• Assist manager by proactively managing workload and forecasting resource requirements to ensure adequate coverage to meet clients’ needs
• Oversee scientific aspects of specific accounts and review work of medical writers to ensure scientific accuracy and technical quality
• Provide strategic counsel as needed
• Provide high-level mentoring and coaching to medical writers
• Identify areas of development for medical writers and alert manager
• Assist with recruitment when necessary
• Provide inspiration and actively encourage team members to be more creative and innovative in their approach
• Share ideas and best practice across account teams
• Facilitate cross-divisional relationships through sharing scientific knowledge

Knowledge
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge in multiple therapy areas
• Keep updated on the relevant regulatory codes and legislation
• Keep updated on new developments and activities within the med ed environment

Business Skills
• Provide direction and guidance on identified organic growth opportunities
• Contribute to new product offerings within the med ed division
• Develop and lead strategic and scientific aspects of new business proposal documents and pitch strategy
• Identify new business opportunities through maintaining client and thought leader relationships and monitoring new drug developments
• Support new business pitches through effective presentation skills

Management
• Ensure assigned tasks are completed on time and within the budget allocated in the project estimate
• Support med ed management team through an understanding of its vision and business plan objectives
• Demonstrate clear communication with med ed management team on any issues arising

Experience/Skills Required
• Excellent scientific writing style with skills to adapt content and style to different audiences
• Excellent attention to detail: style/consistency, good grammar, scientific accuracy, and experience in QCing work and sign-off of printer proofs
• Experience in developing in-depth knowledge of therapeutic areas/medical products
• Excellent verbal communication and client influencing skills
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and work under pressure
• Ability to use initiative
• Commercial awareness

Level of Experience
• At least 4 years of experience at a healthcare communications agency

Qualification
• Educated to degree level (or preferably higher) in a medical/science discipline

Virgo Characteristics
• Team player
• Passionate commitment
• Professionalism and client focus
• Open communication
• Self-development
• Coaching
• Detail focus
• Organization
• Commercial awareness
• Embraces change

Key Performance Indicators
• Client feedback
• Client retention
• Annual performance objectives and performance appraisal 

Salary: $130,000-$155,000

Virgo is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Virgo recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, ethnic or national origin, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or citizenship status.