Group Director, Scientific Services

Prime; Knutsford; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare agency in the United Kingdom is seeking a Group Director, Scientific Services to provide strategic scientific direction and oversee senior scientific leaders. The ideal candidate will have at least 15 years of experience in medical communications and possess a life sciences degree, preferably with an advanced degree. This role emphasizes leadership, operational excellence, and commercial accountability. Competitive benefits include hybrid working, 33 days annual leave, and a flexible working schedule.

Benefits

33 days annual leave

Birthday day off

5% pension contribution

Private medical health insurance

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• At least 15 years’ experience in healthcare or medical communications agencies, with significant leadership tenure.
• Extensive experience in scientific content development across a wide range of deliverables and therapeutic areas.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in financial management of scientific teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic scientific direction and operational excellence across Medical Communications.
• Oversee and develop senior scientific leaders and their teams.
• Partner with client services and business development leaders for business performance.

Skills

Healthcare communications

Leadership

Scientific content development

Commercial acumen

Education

Life sciences degree

Advanced degree (PhD, MD, PharmD)

Job description

Accelerating Life‑Changing Solutions to Global Healthcare Challenges

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.

The Role

As Group Director, Scientific Services (GDSS) you will be a senior scientific and operational leader responsible for providing strategic scientific direction, quality standards, and operational excellence across the Medical Communications practice. Reporting to the VP, Medical Communications and working closely with the Chief Scientific Officer and Department Head, Client Services, you will ensure the delivery of high‑quality, compliant, and strategically aligned scientific content that underpins exceptional client outcomes. You will act as a scientific ambassador for the agency, providing senior‑level scientific, strategic, and commercial counsel to clients and internal teams, translating agency strategy into clear scientific priorities that drive client satisfaction, revenue growth, and long‑term business value.

This role combines scientific leadership, people leadership, and commercial accountability. You will oversee and develop senior scientific leaders and their teams, embed robust quality frameworks, SOP adherence, and continuous improvement, and ensure effective scientific resourcing, utilisation, and operational efficiency across the business unit. Partnering closely with client services and business development leaders, you will share accountability for business performance, support organic and new business growth, lead or contribute to pitches, and identify opportunities to expand and evolve scientific offerings. Through strong leadership, innovation, and external and internal thought leadership, you will strengthen Prime’s scientific reputation while contributing directly to the agency’s growth, profitability, and long‑term success.

Applications for this role close on 9th January 2026.

Requirements

• At least 15 years’ experience in healthcare or medical communications agencies, with significant leadership tenure.
• Life sciences degree required; advanced degree (PhD, MD, PharmD) strongly preferred.
• Extensive experience in scientific content development across a wide range of deliverables and therapeutic areas.
• Proven track record in scientific people leadership, capability building, and organizational development.
• Deep familiarity with Prime’s offerings, processes, and operational frameworks.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in financial management of scientific teams.
• Demonstrated success in leading pitches and contributing to new business growth.
• Ability and enthusiasm to stay current with industry trends, scientific innovation, and evolving client needs.

Benefits

• 33 days annual leave
• Birthday day off
• 5% pension contribution
• Private medical health insurance
• WORKsmart – allows employees to have flexibility around their start and finish time
• Hybrid working