Associate Creative Director, Copy

GSW, powered by Syneos Health; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

GSW, powered by Syneos Health, is looking for an Associate Creative Director, Copy, in Santa Monica. This strategic role involves shaping messaging for healthcare campaigns and collaborating with various teams to deliver impactful content.

The ideal candidate is expected to have 8–10 years of experience in the agency setting, particularly in pharmaceutical copy leadership. A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is necessary. The position offers a base salary of $140,000-$160,000 annually.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of experience in an agency setting, with at least 6 years in pharmaceutical copy leadership.
• Proven ability to manage cross‑functional teams and mentor creative talent.
• Ability to quickly grasp complex medical and technical content and translate it into clear messaging.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the creative lead and owner of copy across assigned brands and campaigns.
• Partner with art directors on brand and concept development.
• Lead the development of long‑form and short‑form content.

Skills

Copywriting

Storytelling

Communication skills

Conceptual thinking

Social media understanding

Navigating regulatory processes

Education

Bachelor's degree in advertising, marketing, communications, English, journalism, or a related field

Job description

GSW is a full-service healthcare communications agency that goes beyond advertising to create personalized brand experiences that involve, inspire, educate and activate people through ongoing brand journeys.

GSW Santa Monica fosters a culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous learning. We believe in empowering our team members to bring their unique perspectives and ideas to the table. Our supportive environment encourages growth, innovation, and excellence, making GSW Santa Monica not just a workplace, but a community where your creativity can thrive.

Role Overview

As an Associate Creative Director, Copy, you’ll be a strategic and creative leader, shaping the voice and messaging across campaigns. You’ll collaborate closely with cross-functional teams—including art, account and strategy—to deliver compelling, brand‑aligned content that resonates with healthcare professionals and patients alike. This role combines creative vision, content strategy, and leadership to drive innovation and excellence in healthcare advertising.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the creative lead and “owner” of copy across assigned brands and campaigns.
• Partner with art directors on brand and concept development, ensuring cohesive visual and verbal storytelling.
• Lead the development of long‑form and short‑form content, maintaining brand tone, consistency, and regulatory compliance (MLR).
• Collaborate with UX, Tech, and CX teams to align content with user experience and platform requirements.
• Provide strategic input and creative leadership in client meetings and presentations.
• Participate in market research and message testing to refine promotional content.
• Mentor and manage copywriters, fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in advertising, marketing, communications, English, journalism, or a related field.
• 8–10 years of experience in an agency setting, with at least 6 years in pharmaceutical copy leadership.
• Exceptional copywriting, storytelling, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage cross‑functional teams and mentor creative talent.
• Strong conceptual thinking and ability to connect abstract ideas into compelling narratives.
• Deep understanding of social platforms (e.g., X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube) and emerging cultural trends.
• Experience navigating regulatory processes and medical/legal review (MLR).
• Ability to quickly grasp complex medical and technical content and translate it into clear, engaging messaging.

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $140,000 to $160,000. The base salary range represents the anticipated low and high of the Syneos Health range for this position. Actual salary will vary based on various factors such as the candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role. In addition, some positions may include eligibility to earn commissions/bonus based on company and or individual performance.

At GSW, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace. If your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway. At times, we will consider transferable skills from previous roles. We also encourage you to join our Talent Network to stay connected to additional career opportunities.

Syneos Health companies are affirmative action/equal opportunity employers (Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled)