Creative Director Copy

FWD People; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days off + 16 paid holidays

Matching 401(k)

Medical, dental & vision coverage

Paid maternity & paternity leave

Home office setup

Yearly team retreats

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

A strategic marketing agency in New York is looking for a Creative Director, Copy (Healthcare) to lead storytelling that transforms complex medical concepts into impactful ideas. The ideal candidate should have over 10 years of experience in copywriting with a strong portfolio related to healthcare. The role requires excellent communication skills, the ability to mentor writers, and a collaborative approach to working with different teams. A flexible hybrid work schedule is offered with a competitive salary range from $135,000 to $170,000.

Qualifications

• Experience in translating complex medical concepts into clear language.
• Strong portfolio showcasing healthcare work in an agency.
• Ability to lead a team and raise standards in copywriting.

Responsibilities

• Translate scientific information into memorable messages.
• Drive healthcare copy standards by crafting bold campaign concepts.
• Mentor writers and foster a collaborative team culture.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to deliver integrated campaigns.

Skills

Storytelling

Creative leadership

Collaboration

Communication

Adaptability

Education

10+ years of copywriting and creative leadership experience

Job description

FWD People is a full-service strategic marketing agency delivering meaningful and measurable results in the health and non-profit sectors. We take pride in being our clients' trusted strategic partner — staying ahead of the curve, and leveraging our expertise and foresight to help them navigate change and seize opportunities. We approach every challenge with a commitment to innovation, excellence, and empathy and we seek the same qualities in our leaders. As a fast-growing, senior team, we're excited to welcome more forward-thinking individuals who will help us drive growth, foster positive change within our client's industries, and have fun along the way.

As Creative Director, Copy (Healthcare), you'll define the voice of our healthcare brands and lead the storytelling that turns complex science into powerful, resonant ideas. You'll shape campaigns across every channel—digital, social, video, experiential, and print—and guide a team of writers to deliver work that's bold, clear, and strategically sharp. You know how to partner with medical executives and strategists, how to elevate the standards of healthcare copy, and how to win the room with ideas that connect. You bring a portfolio that proves you can craft and sell big campaign platforms, plus the leadership skills to mentor writers, collaborate across disciplines, and set the creative bar higher every time.

At FWD, we care deeply about our work and the people we work with—so we take our no-jerk policy seriously. You'll thrive here if you bring ownership without ego, a sense of humor, and a love of building teams and brands that matter.

What You’ll Do

• Translate science and strategy into story by partnering with account, strategy, creative, and medical teams to translate complex scientific and medical information into memorable, engaging messages for both healthcare professionals and consumers, ensuring accuracy while making it accessible, resonant, and emotionally powerful.
• Drive healthcare copy forward while elevating standards and craft by partnering with brand, strategy, and account leads to craft campaign concepts that are bold, distinctive, and aligned to brand personality and business goals. Oversee all copy deliverables for accuracy, compliance (including AMA style), and creative integrity. Raise the bar for clarity and originality.
• Lead campaign storytelling by owning the creative direction of copy across digital, social, video, experiential, and print. Shape headlines, narratives, and messaging frameworks that bring healthcare brands to life.
• Inspire and mentor writers by coaching a high-performing copy team. Push for craft, clarity, and originality while creating a culture of collaboration, feedback, and growth.
• Run the room by presenting creative internally and externally with authority, clearly tying ideas back to strategy and communication objectives.
• Collaborate across disciplines by working side-by-side with art directors, designers, strategists, and medical editors to deliver integrated creative that's greater than the sum of its parts.
• Stay ahead of what's next by keeping a pulse on cultural trends, healthcare industry shifts, and content innovation—applying them to make our work fresh and relevant.

What You’ll Bring

• 10+ years of copywriting and creative leadership experience in an agency environment, with a strong portfolio of healthcare work.
• Expertise translating complex medical and scientific concepts into clear, compelling, human language—you've partnered with medical executives and know how to create copy that resonates with everybody else.
• A track record of shaping and selling big campaign ideas across multiple channels—you can point to success stories and walk us through your ownership from concept through delivery.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills—the ability to present is crucial at this level. You show up with confidence and can win the room and rally stakeholders.
• Comfort in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments where priorities shift and adaptability is essential.
• A sense of ownership without ego. You're a big-picture thinker who doesn't sweat being in the weeds to deliver excellence. We take our no-jerk policy seriously and so should you.
• A sense of humor—we're a group that cares deeply about our work, but always make room to find levity.

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience in oncology, immunology, neurology, or rare disease categories.
• Background working with biotech or pharmaceutical clients.
• Familiarity with MLR review processes and regulated marketing.
• Experience managing creative teams and direct reports.
• Award-winning work or recognition in healthcare advertising.

Who You Are

• A storyteller at heart who knows how to make the complicated simple and the simple unforgettable.
• A strategic mind with sharp creative instincts—always pushing for better ideas and stronger craft.
• A collaborative partner to your peers, a mentor to your team, and a trusted guide for clients.
• Curious about healthcare—always learning, always asking how language can make an impact in people's lives.
• Someone who thrives in ambiguity and loves building something new.

Working at FWD People

We are a senior team that champions integrity, adaptability, excellence, and growth. Here, you'll collaborate with solution-focused colleagues to advance both our clients and our teams.

Our office is located in Brooklyn Heights, and we offer a flexible hybrid work schedule. We value in-person collaboration and connection but also understand the importance of offering the flexibility to work from home.

We are dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. As an equal-opportunity employer, we welcome differences in race, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, and more. We believe that diversity drives innovation and success, and we are committed to ensuring equal opportunities and fostering a culture of respect and collaboration.

Interviewing at FWD People

We believe in transparency and respect for your time. Our hiring process is designed to be open, fair, and as straightforward as possible, giving you a clear picture of what to expect while also giving us a chance to get to know you. Here's how it works:

• Initial Conversation: A friendly chat to learn about your background, goals, and what excites you about this opportunity (and in general).
• In-Depth Interview: A deeper discussion about your skills, experiences, and how you envision contributing to our team.
• Scenario Conversation: A collaborative discussion where we'll walk through a few real‑world scenarios together. This is an opportunity to show us how you think through challenges, make decisions, and approach problem‑solving.
• Final Interview: An onsite conversation with some additional folks on our team and leadership to explore how your unique talents align with our mission and values.

We know that interviewing can sometimes feel overwhelming, which is why we're committed to keeping the process clear and communicative every step of the way. We're excited to learn more about you and appreciate you taking the time to get to know us!

Benefits & Comp

At FWD, we believe in supporting our team both personally and professionally. We offer excellent benefits, including 25 days off per year +16 paid holidays, matching 401(k), medical, dental & vision, paid maternity & paternity leave, home office setup, yearly team retreats, and a comprehensive professional development program including executive coaching and a yearly professional development stipend. As we continue to grow, we enhance our benefits package to meet the needs of our team.

The salary range for this role is $135,000–$170,000. This role is based in NYC (Brooklyn) with a flexible hybrid work schedule or remote based on location.