Head of Publications and Medical Communications

Orion Corporation; Espoo; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Orion Pharma is seeking a strategic Head of Publications & Medical Communications to lead global publication strategy across Innovative Medicines. You will own publication planning, governance, and external partner management, reporting to the VP Medical Affairs, iMeds.

The role offers a hybrid arrangement across Espoo, Cambridge (UK/MA), and other sites. You will oversee the development of abstracts, posters, manuscripts, and regulatory-compliant medical communications, ensuring alignment with

Qualifications

• 10+ years in pharmaceutical/life sciences.
• 5–7 years in publications and scientific communications.
• 3+ years leading publication programs, agencies, or strategic initiatives.
• Experience developing and executing global publication plans.
• Experience supporting congress strategy and scientific dissemination.
• Experience cross-functionally with Clinical Development, Biostatistics, Regulatory, RWE, and Medical Affairs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead integrated global publication and scientific communication strategies across the Innovative Medicines portfolio, aligned with clinical development plans and data milestones.
• Shape scientific communication platforms and narratives for assets and disease areas, identify evidence gaps, and drive dissemination strategies.
• Lead planning and delivery of abstracts, posters, presentations, manuscripts, reviews, and other peer-reviewed communications.
• Oversee congress-related dissemination of scientific evidence to key external audiences.
• Develop scientifically accurate, non-promotional medical communications across the portfolio.
• Establish and maintain publication governance processes, timelines, roles, review pathways, and quality standards.
• Lead the selection and governance of publication management systems and vendor relationships.
• Develop and manage publication budgets, forecasts, and resource plans with transparency and prioritization.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Publications strategy

Medical communications

Cross-functional collaboration

Vendor management

Global publication planning

Regulatory familiarity

Education

Advanced degree (PhD/MD/PharmD)

Tools

Publication management systems

Job description

Head of Publications and Medical Communications

United Kingdom and 2 more (Hybrid)

Job Description

Your role

We are looking for a strategic and scientifically driven Head of Publications & Medical Communications to develop and lead the global publication and scientific communication strategy across our Innovative Medicines portfolio. In this role, you will own publication planning, shape compelling scientific narratives, drive congress-related dissemination activities, ensure publication governance, and oversee external medical communications partners to deliver high-quality scientific communications. In this role you will report to VP Medical Affairs, iMeds. You could be sitting in one of our locations in Espoo (Finland), Cambridge (UK) or Cambridge (MA, US).

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead integrated global publication and scientific communication strategies across the Innovative Medicines portfolio, aligned with clinical development plans, evidence generation activities, Medical Affairs priorities, and key data milestones.


• Shape scientific communication platforms and compelling scientific narratives for assigned assets and disease areas, identifying evidence communication gaps and driving appropriate dissemination strategies.


• Lead the planning, development, and delivery of abstracts, posters, oral presentations, manuscripts, reviews, and other peer-reviewed scientific communications.


• Oversee congress-related communication activities and ensure the timely dissemination of scientific evidence to key external audiences.


• Oversee the development of scientifically accurate, consistent, and non-promotional medical communication materials that support clinical development and Medical Affairs priorities across the portfolio.


• Establish and maintain publication governance processes, including timelines, roles and responsibilities, review pathways, quality standards, and publication procedures.


• Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve publication SOPs, work instructions, templates, and standards; provide training, monitor adherence, and support audit and inspection readiness.


• Lead the selection, implementation, governance, administration, user adoption, and ongoing optimization of publication management system(s), including workflows, access, data quality, reporting, and vendor support.


• Ensure all publication activities comply with Good Publication Practice (GPP), ICMJE recommendations, company policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.


• Provide guidance on authorship, contributor recognition, disclosures, acknowledgments, and publication documentation.


• Partner closely with Clinical Development, Biostatistics, Regulatory, Real-World Evidence, Market Access, and Medical Affairs teams to align scientific communication plans and priorities.


• Lead cross-functional publication working groups and facilitate decision-making among diverse stakeholders.


• Select, manage, and oversee external publication agencies, medical communications partners, medical writers, and technology providers, ensuring high-quality deliverables, effective budget management, and strong vendor performance.


• Develop and manage publication and medical communications budgets, forecasts, and resource plans, ensuring transparency, prioritization, and appropriate allocation of internal and external resources.


• Define and monitor performance measures for delivery, quality, compliance, system adoption, scientific reach, and vendor performance, using insights to drive continuous improvement.

bal player in oncology and pain therapy areas.

What you can expect from us

• At Orion Pharma, your work contributes to improving health and well-being for patients and society. We foster a culture of respect, diversity, and collaboration, offering: Inclusive work environment


• Opportunities for professional growth and development


• A chance to be part of a mission-driven organization

Please visit our website to find further information about our values and Orion as an employer https://www.orion.fi/en/careers/orion-as-an-employer/.

What are we looking for?

Required

• 10+ years of experience within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences industry, including 5-7 years in publications and scientific communications.


• 3+ years of experience leading publication programs, agencies, vendors, or strategic initiatives.


• Experience developing and executing global publication plans.


• Experience supporting congress strategy and scientific dissemination.


• Experience working cross-functionally with Clinical Development, Biostatistics, Regulatory, RWE, and Medical Affairs and influencing without authority.


• Experience managing external publication vendors and medical communications agencies.


• Experience selecting, implementing, administering, or optimizing publication management systems and associated workflows.


• Experience developing and operationalizing publication SOPs, work instructions, and governance processes.


• Experience within Oncology/ Rare Diseases.

Preferred

• Experience leading global publication functions or enterprise-wide publication strategies.


• Experience establishing, strengthening, or optimizing publication governance frameworks and capabilities.


• Experience supporting product launches, launch readiness activities, or major data readouts and milestones.


• Advanced scientific degree (e.g., PhD, PharmD, MD, or equivalent) and/or Certified Medical Publication Professional (CMPP) credential.

Approved medical examination which also includes drug testing is required prior to the employment. We will also carry out a security clearance prior to the employment for the selected person.

Your new team

The Innovative Medicines business division is responsible for the strategic leadership of Orion’s business in core therapy areas, Pain and Oncology, covering all activities from pipeline and portfolio building to commercialization. Innovative Medicines Business Division, where patients’ unmet needs meet innovation, bringing new treatments to promote health and well-being in society.

Orion’s pharmaceutical innovations are created within its R&D organization. We employ top professionals in the field of drug discovery and development. We work globally: in Espoo and Turku in Finland, in Cambridge and Nottingham in England and in Cambridge, USA. Orion R&D and the Innovative Medicines business division are dedicated to becoming a global player in oncology and pain therapy areas.

About Us

Orion Pharma is a globally operating Nordic pharmaceutical company – a builder of well-being for over a hundred years.

We’re home to more than 4,000 Orionees around the world, and we’re proud to be known as a responsible employer and a great place to work. At Orion Pharma, people are truly valued and trusted, encouraged to grow, and supported by a culture where every voice is heard. We appreciate each other, strive for excellence, and build the future.

Together we develop, manufacture, and market human and veterinary pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Our extensive portfolio includes proprietary and generic medicines as well as consumer health products. The core therapy areas of our pharmaceutical R&D are oncology and pain. Proprietary products developed by Orion Pharma are used to treat cancer, neurological diseases, respiratory diseases, and more.

We offer careers with a clear purpose: empowering people to live their lives to the fullest.

• Locations Orionintie 1 A, Espoo, 02200, FI (Hybrid)