Strategic Science Director
Strategic Science Director

Strategic Science Director

Warrington Full-Time 48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead strategic scientific communications and foster client partnerships in healthcare.
  • Company: Join Havas Lynx, a global leader in healthcare communications with over 35 years of experience.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous holiday allowance, and extensive learning support.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while collaborating with innovative teams and clients.
  • Qualifications: PhD or equivalent in life sciences and 10+ years in medical communications required.
  • Other info: Based in Manchester with a vibrant team culture and commitment to employee wellbeing.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.

Are you passionate about creating communications that not only informs but also transform lives within the healthcare sector?

At Havas Lynx, a global agency at the forefront of healthcare communications, we combine unmatched creativity, extensive expertise, and a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical and healthcare field with excellence in scientific knowledge and patient understanding . Our communications resonate deeply with audiences and adhere to the highest standards of healthcare advertising.

Committed to driving meaningful change—a change built on a foundation of rich experience, inspired by innovation, and confirmed through our proven track record—we work in close partnership with healthcare professionals, patients, carers, and leading pharmaceutical brands to navigate the complex challenges of today\’s healthcare landscape. Our approach blends strategic insights and deep scientific acumen with cutting-edge creativity and digital innovation, crafting campaigns and solutions that significantly improve people\’s lives.

We’re a team of over 400+ people in Manchester and London, with a history spanning over 35 years and an ever-evolving future. You can get a feel for the #LYNXLife through our YouTube #LYNXLife playlist, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Everything this company achieves—every life it saves, every penny it makes, every policy it changes, every award it wins—is down to everyone who works here.

Please note that this role is based in Manchester in our medical communications team, and our current hybrid working arrangement requires office attendance on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

Our Role:

We are seeking an exceptional and visionary Scientific Strategic Lead to join our med comms agency team. This pivotal role is designed for a highly experienced individual who can combine the key skills of scientific rigor, strategic insight and client partnership. Reporting directly to senior leadership (e.g. MD), the Scientific Strategic Lead will sit above and seamlessly integrate our medical and strategic planning teams, providing an overarching scientific and strategic vision. This individual will be instrumental in fostering deep, long-term pharmaceutical client partnerships by leveraging a profound understanding of scientific data, brand objectives, the evolving therapeutic landscape, and the holistic business needs of our clients.

What you can expect to be doing:

  • Provide high-level scientific and strategic direction across multiple accounts, ensuring alignment between medical content, strategic objectives, and client business goals.
  • Act as a unifying force, guiding and empowering both medical and strategy teams to collaborate effectively, fostering a cohesive and innovative approach to client challenges.
  • Develop and champion innovative scientific communication strategies that translate complex data into compelling and actionable narratives for diverse audiences.
  • Cultivate and expand strategic relationships with senior pharmaceutical clients, acting as a trusted advisor who understands their commercial imperatives, product pipelines, and long-term vision.
  • Proactively identify client needs and opportunities for growth, developing bespoke solutions that drive value and enhance partnership longevity.
  • Lead strategic discussions and workshops with clients, translating their business challenges into clear medical communications objectives.
  • Possess a deep, nuanced understanding of scientific data across various therapeutic areas, clinical development phases, and regulatory environments.
  • Demonstrate acute awareness of the pharmaceutical market landscape, competitive dynamics, emerging trends, and the lifecycle management of brands.
  • Possess a deep, nuanced understanding of scientific data across various therapeutic areas, clinical development phases, and regulatory environments.
  • Demonstrate acute awareness of the pharmaceutical market landscape, competitive dynamics, emerging trends, and the lifecycle management of brands.
  • Possess a deep, nuanced understanding of scientific data across various therapeutic areas, clinical development phases, and regulatory environments.
  • Demonstrate acute awareness of the pharmaceutical market landscape, competitive dynamics, emerging trends, and the lifecycle management of brands.

This role could be a great fit for you if you have:

  • Advanced degree in a life science discipline (PhD, PharmD, MD highly preferred).
  • Minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in medical communications, with a significant portion in a strategic leadership or client-facing role within an agency setting. This is a pivitol need for the role due to this being a new area of the business. We cannot consider applicants from a non agency background
  • Proven ability to develop sophisticated, insight-driven strategies that address complex pharmaceutical client challenges and achieve measurable outcomes.
  • Exceptional ability to interpret, synthesize, and communicate complex scientific and clinical data across a range of therapeutic areas.
  • Demonstrated success in building and nurturing senior-level client relationships, with a strong understanding of pharmaceutical business drivers and commercial objectives.
  • Outstanding leadership skills with the ability to inspire, guide, and integrate multi-disciplinary teams. Strong influencing and negotiation skills.

What you can expect from us

A supportive and challenging environment in which you will have the opportunity to learn, grow, and make an impact that matters. We put a huge investment into #LYNXLife and our #LXAcademy internal programmes. It’s a unique initiative that aims to reward hard work, reduce pressures, and ensure that we can all enjoy our time at Lynx. Our strategy is to build capabilities internally and inspire the best talent, so we can continue to deliver on our mission.

You can also expect a whole host of benefits, including:

  • Hybrid Working – 3 days in the office (flexible working options are available for in-office days)
  • Starting holiday allowance of 28 days annual leave + Bank Holidays, with increasing allowance connected to length of service
  • Option to buy, carry or sell holidays
  • Early Friday finish throughout the year
  • Seasonal working hours
  • Enhanced family leave, pay and return to work benefit scheme
  • Extensive L&D support
  • Sabbatical opportunities
  • Season ticket interest free loans for travel
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Life insurance (4x salary)
  • Company pension scheme
  • Fully compensated company events
  • Volunteer days
  • Wellbeing programme including sports clubs, discounted gym memberships, free onsite flu vaccinations, extended lunch breaks on Wellness Wednesdays and much more
  • +Medicash healthcare benefit
  • 24/7 access to a free, confidential and independent Employee Assistance Programme

Get in touch to find out how we can make an impact that matters together.

Strategic Science Director employer: Havas Lynx

At Havas Lynx, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and innovative work culture in the heart of Manchester. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our #LXAcademy programmes, extensive learning and development support, and a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. With a focus on meaningful impact in the healthcare sector, we offer competitive benefits, including generous holiday allowances, enhanced family leave, and wellness initiatives, making us an attractive choice for those seeking a rewarding career in medical communications.
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Contact Detail:

Havas Lynx Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Strategic Science Director

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in healthcare communications and pharmaceutical marketing. Understanding the current landscape will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your passion for the industry.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the medical communications field, especially those who have experience in strategic roles. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights into what makes a successful candidate for this position.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully developed and implemented scientific communication strategies in previous roles. Highlighting your ability to translate complex data into actionable narratives will set you apart from other candidates.

✨Tip Number 4

Research Havas Lynx's recent campaigns and initiatives. Being knowledgeable about their work will not only show your genuine interest in the company but also allow you to tailor your discussions to align with their values and objectives.

We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Science Director

Advanced Scientific Knowledge
Strategic Insight
Client Relationship Management
Medical Communications Expertise
Data Interpretation and Synthesis
Leadership and Team Integration
Pharmaceutical Market Awareness
Negotiation Skills
Creative Communication Strategies
Problem-Solving Skills
Understanding of Regulatory Environments
Experience in Therapeutic Areas
Ability to Translate Complex Data
Business Acumen in Pharmaceuticals

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in medical communications and strategic leadership. Emphasise your advanced degree and any specific projects that showcase your ability to interpret complex scientific data.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for healthcare communications and how your background aligns with the role. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully built client relationships and developed innovative strategies in previous positions.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Provide examples in your application that demonstrate your leadership abilities. Discuss how you've guided teams or influenced client decisions, particularly in a multi-disciplinary setting.

Research Havas Lynx: Familiarise yourself with Havas Lynx's work and values. Reference their commitment to transforming lives through healthcare communications in your application to show that you understand their mission and culture.

How to prepare for a job interview at Havas Lynx

✨Showcase Your Scientific Expertise

As a Strategic Science Director, it's crucial to demonstrate your deep understanding of scientific data and its application in healthcare communications. Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've successfully translated complex scientific concepts into actionable strategies.

✨Highlight Client Relationship Skills

This role requires exceptional client partnership abilities. Be ready to share experiences where you've built and nurtured relationships with senior pharmaceutical clients, showcasing how you understood their business needs and provided tailored solutions.

✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking

Prepare to discuss your approach to developing insight-driven strategies that address complex challenges. Think of instances where your strategic direction led to measurable outcomes for clients, and be ready to articulate these clearly.

✨Emphasise Leadership and Team Collaboration

The ability to inspire and guide multi-disciplinary teams is key for this position. Share examples of how you've fostered collaboration between medical and strategic teams, and how your leadership has driven innovative solutions in past roles.

Strategic Science Director
Havas Lynx
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  • Strategic Science Director

    Warrington
    Full-Time
    48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-07-30

  • H

    Havas Lynx

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