Principal Medical Copywriter

Havas Life London; Woking; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health and wellness agency in the UK is looking for an experienced medical writer to take ownership of complex projects in medical communications. You will ensure the quality and scientific integrity of content, mentor junior team members, and support a diverse range of clients. Candidates should have a strong background in medical writing, a life science degree, and knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry. The role involves fostering client relationships and generating impactful content for commercial launches.

Qualifications

• Proven medical writing experience within a healthcare communications agency.
• In-depth working knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry.
• Ability to tailor writing style for different audiences.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of large complex projects across a wide range of medical communications deliverables.
• Ensure quality and scientific integrity of medical writing.
• Support junior writers across several accounts/therapy areas.
• Act as Technical Lead on designated, large client projects.
• Generate content for commercial launches, message architecture, and sales materials.

Skills

Medical writing

Client relationship management

Content generation

Communication skills

Industry regulations

Education

Life science degree

Job description

Havas Life London is not just evolving; we’re reimagining what a health and wellness agency can be. We’re building a destination for the brightest minds, the boldest ideas, and the kind of creativity that reshapes industries.

We’re a collective of curious thinkers, courageous makers, and kind collaborators. The culture we’re building is fast, fearless, and future‑facing - driven by a belief that creativity is the most powerful force for growth.

We are vibrant collaborators, smart decision‑makers, and believers in a win‑or‑learn mindset. Our emerging creative culture is built on curiosity, courage, and kindness. We expect more from ourselves and those who join our high‑performance team.

As part of the Havas Health network, we’re pushing boundaries, embracing AI and emerging tech, and reimagining how strategic creativity can unlock new value for clients across the globe. We’re here to make London the beating heart of global health communications. Be the go‑to creative strategic partner for our network colleagues and client partners alike.

The role

You will take ownership of large complex projects across a wide range of medical communications deliverables and be responsible for ensuring the quality and scientific integrity of medical writing in partnership with the client services team. You will take the lead in the generation of content for commercial launches, message architecture / narratives, and sales materials. You contribute to the mentoring of the writing team to further develop therapy areas, content delivery, and medical communications knowledge.

Core Duties & Responsibilities

• Intimately understand client and competitor products, therapy areas, portfolio, and commercial strategy in the context of the current and future market
• Keep up‑to‑date with industry codes of practice / legislation and external issues or events that may affect existing accounts
• Work across several accounts / therapy areas to support junior writers
• Act as the Technical Lead on designated, large client projects
• Achieve a consistently excellent quality of medical writing
• Demonstrate strong briefing and reviewing skills
• Assist with the monitoring and promotion of quality control processes and procedures
• Partner with the client services teams and wider agency network to ensure all account objectives are met
• Build relationships, and liaise effectively, with clients and external experts
• Attend meetings in the UK or elsewhere, providing on‑site support as required
• Identify opportunities to maximise existing client accounts
• Provide high‑level writing support for proposal development and actively participate in pitch development
• When appropriate, contribute to the development of project specifications, cost estimates, and reconciliations
• Monitor project costs against agreed budgets and notify the Client Services team of any changes to specification at the earliest opportunity
• Communicate clearly to team members at all times, schedule and budget guidelines, and contribute to prioritisation discussions across teams
• Contribute to the development of account plan forecasts in liaison with client services leads

The person

• Proven medical writing experience within a healthcare communications agency, with knowledge of a broad range of promotional / commercial communications activities
• The ability to tailor your writing style appropriately for different target audiences
• Life science degree educated
• In‑depth working knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry