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 >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.
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