Principal Medical Writer

Principal Medical Writer - Healthcare Communications

Role: Principal Medical Writer

Location: London (hybrid - 2/3 days in a West London/Central London office)

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: Up to £75k

Start Date: ASAP

The Opportunity -

What makes someone act on health information? For this healthcare communications agency, that question helps shape the work. Bringing together scientific expertise, behavioural insight and creative thinking, the team explores the motivations and barriers behind healthcare decisions to develop communications that connect with the people they need to reach.

This is an opportunity for an experienced medical writer to take a leading role in that process. You will combine hands-on writing with scientific consultancy, help shape client strategy and develop the writers around you. Your expertise will influence how complex evidence becomes a clear, compelling story for different audiences.

Why This Role Stands Out -

You will join a multidisciplinary environment where medical writers collaborate with researchers, behavioural specialists, strategists and creative colleagues. The approach starts with understanding the audience and uses that insight to guide communications for healthcare professionals, patients and others involved in care.

At Principal level, you will have a voice in both the science and the direction of the work. You will advise clients, challenge thinking constructively and guide content across multiple brands and therapy areas. With involvement in pitches, account development and team leadership, the role offers scope to broaden your influence while staying close to the writing.

Role & Responsibilities -

Scientific Writing and Editorial Quality

• Independently develop accurate, engaging scientific content across project types, adapting the story, style and presentation for each audience.
• Generate creative ideas, provide robust editorial reviews and supervise writing by colleagues and freelancers.
• Advise clients and account teams on relevant codes and requirements, including ABPI, and challenge potential compliance issues confidently.

Scientific Strategy and Client Partnership

• Provide evidence-based scientific direction and strategic recommendations that reflect client brands, objectives and market environments.
• Lead discussions with clients and key opinion leaders, acting as the scientific contact on allocated brands.
• Build knowledge across therapy areas, undertake focused research and help teams understand the clinical and commercial context.

Project and Account Leadership

• Manage scientific delivery across multiple accounts with minimal support, working with account teams on timelines, budgets and resourcing.
• Delegate effectively, oversee junior and freelance output, anticipate competing demands and propose practical solutions.
• Identify improvements to processes within the writing team and across the wider agency.

People Development and Business Growth

• Line manage and mentor writers, set development goals, identify training needs and lead training sessions.
• Create a positive, supportive team environment and assist with recruiting writers when required.
• Provide scientific and strategic input into pitches, lead pitch activity where appropriate, and identify opportunities to develop existing accounts and new business.

Perks and Career Development -

• Develop your expertise at the intersection of medical writing, behavioural insight and creative healthcare communications.
• Build your profile as a scientific consultant, leading client discussions and helping shape communication strategy.
• Strengthen your leadership through line management, mentoring, training and editorial supervision.
• Broaden your commercial experience through pitch development, account growth and resource planning.
• Contribute ideas to improve writing processes and quality across the team.
• Build experience relevant to broader scientific and editorial leadership through strategic direction, people development and responsibility across accounts.

Requirements -

• A BSc in a scientific, medical or pharmacy discipline; a relevant MSc or PhD is desirable.
• A strong agency track record in writing and managing scientific content; around five years of relevant experience is desirable.
• Experience across scientific document types, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to tailor content for different audiences.
• Confidence advising clients, providing strategic direction, reviewing content and developing colleagues.
• Excellent knowledge of relevant codes and regulatory requirements, including ABPI and applicable EMA and MHRA guidance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, version control, reference management and medical approval platforms, including Veeva PromoMats.
• Clear communication, calm leadership and strong organisation, with the ability to balance priorities across accounts.

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Principal Medical Writer - Healthcare Communications

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