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Senior Scientific Director

New York, New York, United States

Senior Scientific Director

REMOTE/HYBRID

Job Description

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 senior scientific director (SSD) will lead and manage a medical writing team, and take ownership and oversee the 
production of high-quality deliverables and live engagements for the pharmaceutical industry and other educational 
bodies, with the main aim of supporting clients in communicating their scientific and strategic objectives. 
The SSD will also demonstrate scientific expertise and tactical 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 the development, management, delivery, and quality of deliverables and live 
engagements independently and as part of a team
• Prepare high-level, strategic medical/marketing materials and demonstrate scientific expertise and excellent 
attention to detail across accounts
• 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, both live and 
virtual, as well as contribute to annual brand planning with strategic and tactical ideas
• Demonstrate excellent opinion leader knowledge and management 

Team Working
• Collaborate with other team members in brainstorming for new content and business strategy
• Proactively manage workloads and billability of line reports and coverage to ensure adequate resources to 
meet clients’ needs. Proactively flag the need for freelance medical writing support 
• Assign and review work of junior team members to ensure scientific accuracy and technical quality
• Provide strategic counsel as needed
• Provide high-level mentoring and coaching to medical writers
• Communicate concept needs to design/digital partners
• Adhere to HR management policies and conduct regular 1-on-1 meetings and appraisals with line reports
• Identify areas of development for line reports and alert executive director regarding concerns on any 
scientific team members’ performance
• Assist with recruitment when necessary
• Perform succession planning process with line reports
• Demonstrate diplomacy and influencing skills when interacting with line reports
• Provide inspiration, share best practices, and actively encourage team members to be more creative and 
innovative in their approach
• Facilitate cross-divisional relationships through sharing scientific knowledge

Knowledge
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge in multiple therapy areas
• Keep updated on regulatory guidelines that impact client business
• Keep updated on new developments and activities within the med ed environment

Business Skills
• Identify and develop content to align to potential new business and propose to clients 
• Provide strategy 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
• Monitor PTO, WFH, and all other requests from line reports and flag any potential issues to the executive 
director
• Demonstrate clear communication with health ed management team on any issues arising—especially 
regarding ANY Virgo team member to their respective manager
• Demonstrate good understanding and implementation of health ed SOPs
• Propose solutions for team(s) based on project prioritization and resource projections
• While accruing years of management experience, continue to receive formalized training in masterful 
management, delegation, and conflict resolution

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
• 5-7 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
• Managing and developing
• Direction setting
• Passionate commitment
• Professionalism and client focus
• Open communication
• Self-development
• Coaching
• Detail focus
• Organization
• Commercial awareness
• Setting the standard

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

Salary- $150,000- 185,000

Virgo has included the base salary range or hourly rate for this role. Actual compensation offered within the range will depend upon, among other factors: a candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience; actual ranges for current or former employees in the role; and market considerations.

Virgo is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status.