Senior Medical Writer

About the job
Senior Medical Writer

Reports to Principal Medical Writer or Scientific Team Lead MSS

Location: South Africa – Remote working with an established team in the UK

As a Senior Medical Writer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the communication of complex scientific ideas. Taking leadership of large projects/specific workstreams across a range of medical communications deliverables, you will be responsible for the quality and scientific integrity of all outputs delivered by the team.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Developing written materials that are of high quality, scientifically accurate, clear, fully referenced, appropriate to the target audience, meets the client’s communication objectives and conforms to client specifications; this includes interacting with key experts, negotiating on content and making constructive suggestions on content
Developing a broad range of materials including meeting materials (e.g., slides, agendas, discussions guides); post-meeting activities (e.g., webcasts, reports), as well as attending meetings, workshops, and advisory boards; newsletters; training materials; and publications
Developing and maintaining relationships with clients and key experts
Researching medical and scientific topics using relevant information sources
Developing and maintaining knowledge in relevant therapy areas including drug mechanisms of action, disease state, treatment guidelines, and competitive landscape
Participation in strategic projects and in the provision of strategic counsel, insights, recommendations, and solutions to clients on their projects and programs
Following all relevant internal, client and industry guidelines and SOPs – at the personal and junior team member level
Providing support to accounts team and attending meetings as required, including internal kick-off meetings, status meetings, and client calls
Identifying and anticipating any problems or resource limitations that could jeopardize the delivery of your projects on time, on-budget or with sufficient quality
Nurturing client relationships and be aware of opportunities to develop and grow business
Providing content support for new business opportunities, such as proposals and presentations
Proficiency in the use of all relevant supportive tools and databases (e.g., EndNote, DataVision, ZINC, etc.), as required
Coaching and mentoring of junior colleagues, proactive provision of feedback to relevant Line Managers
Submission of accurate and timely timesheet records
For line managers

Provision of effective line management, supporting the career and personal development of assigned line reports
Ensuring all line reports undergo performance review and have appropriate objectives and development plans in place
Rapid addressing of under-performance and initiation of active management plans to support individuals as required
Experience, Skills, And Qualifications

Experience as a Medical Writer in a medcomms, healthcare agency or pharma environment
Graduate in life sciences (ideally biomedical or related degree eg. Pharmacy, Medicine), higher degree preferred
Previous medical writing experience is essential
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interpret and fulfil client briefs in a creative and technically accurate manner
Sound understanding of science and medicine, the healthcare environment and the medical education and publication industry
Outstanding attention-to-detail
Willingness/ability to learn and apply new skills and news scientific/therapeutic/ regulatory information
Plan, organize and complete multiple tasks and deal with changes in project timings and specifications
Manage workload in line with the changing demands of the business
Able to work independently and as part of a team
Able to communicate and negotiate effectively to achieve agreed objectives
Excellent time management skills
Adaptability / flexibility
Management / mentoring
Able to produce documents in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel to an advanced standard, and in compliance with the appropriate style guide (e.g., OPEN Health Medical Communications, client, or external publisher)
Sound understanding of the ABPI Code of Practice and Thorough familiarity with AMA editorial style and medical terminology
Travel Requirements

As required by business needs

Senior Medical Writer