Director, Scientific Services (Uk)

Prime; England; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Medical/Dental and Vision benefits

Pension

Remote/hybrid working

Job summary

Prime is seeking a Director, Scientific Services to provide senior scientific leadership across the business unit. You will develop high-performing teams to deliver compliant medical communications and exceed client objectives.

You will collaborate with Client Services to align science with business strategy, forecast financials, and optimize resources. This role requires strategic advisory skills, risk management, and a focus on growth and innovation, including AI integration.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in healthcare agencies in senior roles.
• Proven track record in leading scientific/editorial teams.
• Experience shaping strategic client directions.
• Strong business acumen including forecasting and resource planning.
• Experience developing and attending new business pitches.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior scientific and strategic leadership across the business unit.
• Lead and develop high-performing scientific teams for compliant medical communications.
• Align scientific excellence with business strategy and financial performance.
• Shaping proposals, pitches, and identifying new opportunities including AI/omnichannel approaches.
• Drive quality, compliance, and SOP processes across projects.

Skills

Scientific leadership

Client relationship management

Strategic thinking

Education

Life sciences degree (Masters/PhD/MD preferred)

Tools

Quality and SOP oversight

Job description

Accelerating Life-Changing Solutions to Global Healthcare Challenges is the vision that unites us through a shared sense of purpose, whatever the role.

It speaks to the significant challenges that exist within global healthcare, and how we, as one team, can help to deliver better solutions and outcomes for our partners and for patients everywhere, sooner. Your job description outlines the important role and responsibilities that you own in achieving this vision.

Importantly too is how we go about living our vision. This is defined by the Prime mission:

Through a pioneering fusion of the finest expertise in science, strategy, evidence, technology and creativity we deliver the world-class outcomes that our global partners trust to achieve their goals.

It speaks to collaboration and to everyone’s responsibility to bring together the diverse expertise that exist across our team to deliver world-class outcomes.

On this foundation, we have defined four core values, these represent the shared principles that guide our behaviours every day, whatever your role:

Be Brave, Be Human, Be Passionate, Be Exceptional.

At Prime these values are integral to who we are. They are there to guide you in your role and support you on your personal journey to success. They shape our culture and support us in achieving our vision together, as one global team.

The role

As Director, Scientific Services, you will provide senior scientific and strategic leadership across the business unit, driving excellence in scientific delivery, operational performance, and business growth.

You will lead and develop high-performing scientific teams to deliver high-quality, compliant, and strategically aligned medical communications that exceed client objectives and uphold Prime’s standards.

You will work in close partnership with the Client Services Director to align scientific excellence with business strategy, with shared accountability for financial performance, forecasting, and resource optimisation.

As a senior leader, you will act as a strategic advisor to clients, shaping communication strategies, challenging thinking, and strengthening long-term partnerships.

You will ensure robust application of quality, compliance, and SOP processes, driving continuous improvement through audits, debriefs, and refinement of ways of working.

You will play a key role in business growth and innovation, shaping proposals and pitches, identifying new opportunities, and integrating forward-thinking approaches, including AI and omnichannel solutions, into client strategies.

This is a highly visible leadership role requiring strong scientific expertise, commercial acumen, and the ability to lead teams, influence stakeholders, and drive performance and growth across the business.

Requirements

• At least 10 years’ healthcare agency experience in senior roles
• A life sciences degree, ideally combined with a higher degree (science Masters, PhD, or MD).
• Proven track record in leading and developing scientific/editorial teams within a medical communications agency.
• Extensive medical writing and scientific leadership experience across a broad range of projects and therapeutic areas.
• Strong experience operating at a strategic level, shaping communication strategies and influencing client direction.
• Demonstrated commercial and financial awareness, including experience contributing to forecasting, resource planning, and business performance.
• Strong leadership and motivational skills.
• Experience of developing and attending new business pitches.
• Experience building and maintaining senior client relationships, including leading strategic discussions and identifying growth opportunities.
• Experience driving quality, compliance, and operational excellence, including oversight of SOPs and review processes.
• Experience working in partnership with Client Services or equivalent disciplines to deliver integrated account and business strategies.
• Experience driving operational improvements, including process optimisation, quality standards, or audit frameworks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence presenting to clients.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to tight deadlines.
• Awareness of innovation in medical communications, including AI and omnichannel approaches.

Benefits

• Paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO/Holiday)
• Medical/Dental and Vision benefits
• Pension
• Remote/hybrid working