Senior Medical Copywriter

VML South Africa; London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare communication agency in London is seeking a Senior Medical Copywriter to develop engaging healthcare content. The role requires a deep understanding of health communication and the ability to convert complex scientific data into meaningful storytelling. Ideal candidates should have an advanced science degree and a background in healthcare communication. This hybrid role emphasizes collaboration with cross-functional teams to create impactful strategies and campaigns.

Qualifications

• Advanced science degree is required.
• Proven experience in healthcare communication or pharmaceutical marketing.
• Experience in promotional and non-promotional medical education.
• Ability to interpret data and develop insights for clients' objectives.

Responsibilities

• Interpret complex scientific data for client strategies.
• Lead the development of scientific and creative narratives.
• Drive content strategy across various projects.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to co-develop campaigns.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Commercial Acumen

Innovation

Creativity of Ideas

Communication

Education

PhD, BPharm, MD or equivalent

Job description

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

YOUR ROLE IN A NUTSHELL

The Senior Medical Copywriter works closely with the strategy leads, client engagement teams, and creatives to deliver accurate, engaging, and strategically aligned healthcare content. The role spans therapeutic areas and capabilities, including medical education, HCP promotion, patient engagement, and disease awareness. You’ll help shape scientific narratives and creative campaigns that connect with audiences, ensuring the intersection of science, insight, and creativity drives everything we do.

This is a hands-on, hybrid role blending medical writing precision with conceptual copywriting energy, perfect for someone who wants to push the boundaries of traditional health communication.

ABOUT YOU

You have a deep passion for health communication and a knack for transforming complex science into meaningful storytelling. You’re as comfortable referencing a clinical trial as you are concepting a headline. You have a strong foundation in medical writing and an understanding of regulatory frameworks, but you’re also curious, collaborative, and creatively driven.

You thrive in a fast-paced, idea-rich environment and enjoy being part of a multidisciplinary team of strategists, creatives, scientists, and client partners.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Interpret complex scientific data and insights to shape compelling, insight-led communication strategies for healthcare clients
• Act as a strategic partner in client conversations, contributing to messaging frameworks, campaign platforms, and content strategies across a range of therapeutic areas and audiences
• Lead the development of scientific and creative narratives that underpin brand positioning, campaign messaging, and education initiatives
• Drive content strategy across projects, ensuring alignment with brand objectives, audience needs, and regulatory requirements
• Collaborate closely with strategists, creatives and client engagement leads to co-develop campaign concepts, ensuring scientific credibility and creative resonance
• Present strategic thinking and content confidently to clients and internal teams, articulating the ‘why’ behind the work
• Write and edit copy for a wide range of deliverables including HCP campaigns, disease awareness, medical education, accredited education programs, patient engagement, internal comms, and digital content
• Ensure exceptional attention to detail in all content, from scientific accuracy and referencing to tone, grammar, and layout, upholding the highest editorial standards
• Stay abreast of market trends, therapeutic advancements, and industry changes that could inform or impact strategic direction
• Contribute to pitch and proposal development, providing strong narrative thinking and scientific credibility
• Engage with healthcare professionals and key opinion leaders to gather insights, shape content direction, and ensure relevance across stakeholder groups
• Participate in and facilitate stakeholder engagements, advisory boards, workshops, and co-creation sessions when required
• Ensure all content is scientifically accurate, clearly referenced, and aligned with Medicines Australia Code of Conduct and client medical review processes
• Contribute to the broader growth and capability-building of VML Health, sharing knowledge, mentoring others, and elevating the standard of scientific storytelling

KEY SKILLS

• Strategic Thinking - Develops compelling health communication and brand strategy rooted in behavioural insights and evidence. Proactively brings in cross-functional partners to align on objectives and elevate the work. Translates clinical and scientific data into strategy that is actionable, clear and aligned to campaign goals.
• Commercial Acumen - Executes brand and communication strategy with a solid understanding of healthcare trends, client goals, and market dynamics. Applies operational awareness and time/resource efficiency to deliver high-quality work on time and within budget.
• Innovation - Open-minded, curious, and solutions-focused. Actively explores new storytelling formats, channels, or content models. Uses the global VML network creatively and draws on lateral thinking to identify new opportunities that bring scientific content to life. Proactively contributes new ideas to drive business and creative growth.
• Creativity of Ideas - Approaches briefs with original, insight-led thinking. Challenges assumptions, embraces unconventional approaches where relevant, and finds new ways to elevate scientific storytelling. Draws on behavioural science, audience insight and creative principles to shape memorable, meaningful campaigns.
• Communication - Communicates with clarity, professionalism and confidence. Writes with precision and purpose, and adapts tone across diverse audiences and formats. Able to influence client and team decision-making by clearly articulating strategic and scientific rationale. Maintains meticulous attention to detail in all written and verbal communications.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE/CAPABILITIES

• Advanced science degree (preferably PhD, BPharm, MD or equivalent)
• Proven experience in healthcare communication/pharmaceutical marketing (Rx, OTC, medical devices)
• Experience in both promotional and non-promotional medical education (accreditation program experience preferred)
• Ability to interpret data, develop key insights and assess the impact of recommendations and creative solutions to clients’ business objectives
• Experience leading persuasive medical strategy for new business opportunities
• Strategic, analytical and effective problem-solving skills
• Meticulous attention to detail, scientific accuracy with a focus on quality assurance
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills
• Ability to successfully manage multiple projects in a deadline-driven environment
• A commitment to understand new advancements in the health and pharmaceutical industry
• Understanding of industry regulatory environment and compliance requirements, including Medicines Australia Code of Conduct

#LI-EMEA

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through ourRecruitment Privacy Policy . California residents should read ourCalifornia Recruitment Privacy Notice . This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.

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When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy . California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice . This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.