Strategic Science Director

Havas Group; Manchester; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job description

Agency :

Havas Lynx

Job Description :

Are you passionate about creating communications that not only inform but also transform lives within the healthcare sector?

At Havas Lynx, a global agency at the forefront of healthcare communications, we combine unmatched creativity, extensive expertise, and a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical and healthcare fields with excellence in scientific knowledge and patient understanding. Our communications resonate deeply with audiences and adhere to the highest standards of healthcare advertising.

Committed to driving meaningful change—an change built on a foundation of rich experience, inspired by innovation, and confirmed through our proven track record—we work in close partnership with healthcare professionals, patients, carers, and leading pharmaceutical brands to navigate the complex challenges of today's healthcare landscape. Our approach blends strategic insights and deep scientific acumen with cutting-edge creativity and digital innovation, crafting campaigns and solutions that significantly improve people's lives.

We have a team of over 400+ people in Manchester and London, with a history spanning over 35 years and an ever-evolving future. You can get a feel for the #LYNXLife through our YouTube #LYNXLife playlist, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Everything this company achieves—every life it saves, every penny it makes, every policy it changes, every award it wins—is down to everyone who works here.

Please note that this role is based in Manchester in our medical communication team, and our current hybrid working arrangement requires office attendance on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

Summary of our role:

We are seeking an exceptional and visionary Scientific Strategic Lead to join our medical communications agency team. This pivotal role is designed for a highly experienced individual who can combine the key skills of scientific rigor, strategic insight, and client partnership. Reporting directly to senior leadership (e.g., MD), the Scientific Strategic Lead will sit above and seamlessly integrate our medical and strategic planning teams, providing an overarching scientific and strategic vision. This individual will be instrumental in fostering deep, long-term pharmaceutical client partnerships by leveraging a profound understanding of scientific data, brand objectives, the evolving therapeutic landscape, and the holistic business needs of our clients.

What you can expect to be doing:

• Provide high-level scientific and strategic direction across multiple accounts, ensuring alignment between medical content, strategic objectives, and client business goals.
• Act as a unifying force, guiding and empowering both medical and strategy teams to collaborate effectively, fostering a cohesive and innovative approach to client challenges.
• Develop and champion innovative scientific communication strategies that translate complex data into compelling and actionable narratives for diverse audiences.
• Cultivate and expand strategic relationships with senior pharmaceutical clients, acting as a trusted advisor who understands their commercial imperatives, product pipelines, and long-term vision.
• Proactively identify client needs and opportunities for growth, developing bespoke solutions that drive value and enhance partnership longevity.
• Lead strategic discussions and workshops with clients, translating their business challenges into clear medical communications objectives.
• Possess a deep, nuanced understanding of scientific data across various therapeutic areas, clinical development phases, and regulatory environments.
• Demonstrate acute awareness of the pharmaceutical market landscape, competitive dynamics, emerging trends, and the lifecycle management of brands.

This role could be a great fit for you if you have:

• An advanced degree in life sciences (PhD, PharmD, MD highly preferred).
• A minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in medical communications, with a significant portion in strategic leadership or client-facing roles within an agency setting.
• Proven ability to develop sophisticated, insight-driven strategies that address complex pharmaceutical client challenges and achieve measurable outcomes.
• Exceptional ability to interpret, synthesize, and communicate complex scientific and clinical data across a range of therapeutic areas.
• Demonstrated success in building and nurturing senior-level client relationships, with a strong understanding of pharmaceutical business drivers and commercial objectives.

What you can expect from us

We offer a supportive and challenging environment where you will have the opportunity to learn, grow, and make an impact that matters. We invest heavily in #LYNXLife and our #LXAcademy internal programs. It’s a unique initiative designed to reward hard work, reduce pressures, and ensure that we all enjoy our time at Lynx. Our strategy is to build capabilities internally and inspire the best talent, so we can continue to deliver on our mission.

You can also expect a host of benefits, including:

• Hybrid Working – 3 days in the office (flexible options available for in-office days)
• Starting holiday allowance of 28 days annual leave + Bank Holidays, increasing with length of service
• Option to buy, carry, or sell holidays
• Early Friday finish throughout the year
• Seasonal working hours
• Enhanced family leave, pay, and return-to-work benefits scheme
• Extensive L&D support
• Sabbatical opportunities
• Season ticket interest-free loans for travel
• Cycle to work scheme
• Life insurance (4x salary)
• Company pension scheme
• Fully compensated company events
• Volunteer days
• Wellbeing programs including sports clubs, discounted gym memberships, free onsite flu vaccinations, extended lunch breaks on Wellness Wednesdays, and more
• Medicash healthcare benefit
• 24/7 access to a free, confidential, and independent Employee Assistance Programme

Get in touch to find out how we can make an impact that matters together.

Contract Type :

Permanent

Here at Havas, across the group, we pride ourselves on being committed to offering equal opportunities to all potential employees and have zero tolerance for discrimination. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants irrespective of age, sex, race, ethnicity, disability, and other factors that have no bearing on an individual’s ability to perform their job.