At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor a dynamic editorial team in healthcare communications.
- Company: Join Obsidian, a passionate agency transforming scientific communications.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous holiday, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with regular social events and strong career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while shaping client strategies.
- Qualifications: Degree in life sciences and significant medical communications experience required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About Us
At Obsidian, we’re passionate about transforming scientific communications to improve healthcare outcomes for everyone. As a specialist healthcare agency dedicated to medical and scientific communications, we partner with global healthcare organisations to share knowledge that truly makes a difference.
Our team of over 70 academic scientists, strategists, and communications experts deliver cutting-edge solutions across:
- Medical Affairs
- Strategic Consultancy
- Scientific Meetings and Events
- Medical Education
- Publications Planning & Delivery
- Creative & Digital Services
- Commercial Strategy
The Opportunity
We are looking for a Scientific Director to join one of Obsidian’s thriving business units. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Scientific Director (SD) or an accomplished Principal Medical Writer (PMW) ready to take the next step in their career. As a senior member within our editorial team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping client strategy, delivering scientific excellence, and developing talent. Working closely with Client Services, you will build and strengthen client partnerships while identifying opportunities for organic growth across key accounts.
In this role, you will:
- Hold a senior position within a 12-person editorial team, working closely with Client Services colleagues.
- Provide scientific and strategic leadership across a diverse portfolio of healthcare communications projects.
- Lead and grow designated client accounts, ensuring programmes meet scientific, editorial and communication objectives.
- Build and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted scientific advisor.
- Identify opportunities for organic business growth and support account development.
- Mentor, coach and develop medical writers at all levels, helping them build their skills, confidence and expertise.
- Contribute to a dynamic business unit of 25 professionals delivering impactful healthcare communications.
Our work spans a broad range of therapy areas, including oncology, biosimilars, rare diseases, cardiology, infectious diseases and vaccines, neurology and haematology.
What You'll Do
- Provide expert scientific, editorial and strategic counsel, drawing on your medical communications expertise and reporting to the Scientific Business Unit Lead.
- Ensure the quality, accuracy and consistency of all editorial deliverables, aligning outputs with wider client objectives.
- Take ownership of editorial delivery, ensuring projects are completed on time, to brief and within budget.
- Support training and capability development across the wider editorial team.
- Line manage and mentor junior team members, fostering their professional growth and development.
- Ensure new starters are effectively onboarded within client accounts and project teams.
- Drive continuous improvement by introducing ideas that enhance quality, efficiency and ways of working.
- Monitor resourcing requirements and contribute to workforce planning and recruitment activities.
- Collaborate closely with Client Services and cross-functional teams to ensure exceptional project delivery and client satisfaction.
What We're Looking For
- A degree in a life sciences discipline (BSc, MSc, PhD or equivalent).
- Significant experience within a medical communications agency environment.
- Experience operating at Scientific Director level (or equivalent) or a strong Principal Medical Writer ready to progress into the SD role.
- Proven leadership, mentoring and line management experience.
- A strategic mindset with the confidence to challenge thinking, influence decisions and drive client success.
- Demonstrated ability to anticipate client needs and develop effective solutions that enhance customer satisfaction.
- A track record of delivering high-quality scientific content alongside strategic scientific counsel.
- Strong commercial awareness and understanding of account growth and profitability.
What We Offer
- Hybrid working: Only 2 anchor days a week in the office from our vibrant London office (just off Fetter Lane, EC4).
- 25 days’ holiday + bank holidays, plus gifted days at Christmas and your birthday off.
- AXA Private Healthcare (with family options), Aviva pension scheme, income protection, life assurance.
- Enhanced parental leave, cycle-to-work scheme, season ticket loan.
- Bonus schemes and employee referral rewards.
- Learning and Development: Comprehensive training programmes, annual performance reviews, and opportunities to join working groups.
- Wellbeing Support: EAP, mental health first aiders, AXA wellbeing calendar, and a dedicated wellbeing room.
- Social Connection: Regular social events, and a friendly, collaborative culture.
Ready to lead, inspire, and make an impact? Join us at Obsidian and help shape the future of scientific communications.
Scientific Director - Medical Communications in Slough employer: Obsidian
At Obsidian, we pride ourselves on being a leading healthcare agency that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our vibrant London office offers hybrid working arrangements, extensive employee benefits including generous holiday allowances and comprehensive health support, as well as ample opportunities for professional growth through mentorship and training programmes. Join us to make a meaningful impact in scientific communications while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Scientific Director - Medical Communications in Slough
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at Obsidian, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
✨Keep Your Eyes on Openings & Apply Directly
Don’t just rely on job boards! Keep an eye on the careers section of the websites of companies like Obsidian. Apply directly through their website because sometimes they post jobs there before anywhere else. Plus, it shows your proactive approach!
We think you need these skills to ace Scientific Director - Medical Communications in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at Obsidian. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at Obsidian. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at Obsidian
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at Obsidian. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at Obsidian to drive research projects forward.
