Director, Scientific Services

Citrus: A Global Healthcare Communications Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Citrus: A Global Healthcare Communications Group is seeking a Director, Scientific Services in Chicago, IL. This role emphasizes scientific and publications oversight across multiple accounts in neuroscience and psychiatry. The ideal candidate should have 8+ years of experience and a PhD, MD, or PharmD.

The Director will manage strategic scientific communications and lead client interactions while ensuring high-quality publications meet client expectations. Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills are essential for this position.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of publications experience in pharmaceuticals or medical communications.
• Understanding of product life cycles and competitive landscapes.
• Experience translating complex data into presentations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight across multiple accounts.
• Review content for scientific accuracy.
• Identify emerging trends and keep teams informed.
• Lead client communications and project updates.

Skills

Strong understanding of clinical research and analyses

Expert verbal and written communication skills

Expert presentation skills

Attention to detail

Education

PhD, MD or PharmD preferred

Tools

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Citrus Health Group is a unique partner to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostics, and medical device industries. We are passionate about science; our focus is to effectively communicate science in compelling and engaging ways to drive true value and enable patients to gain access to new medicines. We do so with the highest level of integrity and respect for the ethical nature of our business.

We invite you to join our talented team of dedicated professionals, working together to deliver the highest level of strategic advice, client service, and scientific, medical, real‑world content to our clients. We are driven by one word, RESPECT. We respect each other, we respect our clients, and we respect the professionals we work with on behalf of our clients. We value every team member and strive for an inclusive and collaborative culture that fosters the best in everyone.

About the Opportunity

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in Publications and Medical Affairs specializing in neuroscience and psychiatry. The Director, Scientific Services has responsibility for providing scientific direction, leadership, and oversight over all projects on their accounts. The Director, Scientific Services will seek out, examine, and distill complex scientific data to create impactful scientific publications, effective educational materials, and/or innovative brand strategies as needed by their client(s). They will understand the scientific and clinical aspects of assigned client work and serve as a key, strategic thought partner for both clients and internal teams. The Director, Scientific Services is hallmarked by scientific and technical excellence within their accounts, as a source of therapeutic expertise within the Company, and as a provider of strategic scientific counsel internally and externally.

Job Description

The Director, Scientific Services provides strategic scientific and publications oversight across multiple accounts. The key responsibilities are as follows: 1) review all content for scientific accuracy and adherence to client preference (e.g., lexicon, scientific communication platform); 2) provide ongoing training and feedback to internal team members; and 3) develop de novo content as needed (e.g., abstracts, posters, manuscripts, slide decks). The Director, Scientific Services will identify emerging trends within applicable scientific areas and keep teams apprised. Leveraging strong scientific and creative expertise, they will guide and drive the strategic development of CiTRUS to provide scientific counsel both internally and to their clients and will provide support in identifying and converting new opportunities.

Scientific Account Services

• Lead all activities related to scientific strategies and publication planning, including oversight of scientifically complex materials
• Serve as a subject matter expert on scientific and clinical aspects of client projects and deliverables
• Support ongoing training of team members
• Continuously offer strategic and innovative ideas to support in achieving client and team objectives
• Support cross‑functional teams to meet client needs
• Review deliverables with a scientific lens to ensure quality standards and ensure client expectations are met
• Ensure timely delivery of high‑quality products and services to clients
• Keep leadership informed of critical client and project updates and concerns
• Keep abreast of the scientific developments relevant to accounts, disseminating information to the broader account team in a regular and timely manner, and to clients as appropriate

Client Management

• Prepare strategic and tactical plans for each client and individual project plans as needed
• Attend and lead aspects of regular client status meetings, new project kick‑offs, and debrief meetings; communicate key learnings to client and internal team
• Regularly review project reports and alert client and project teams of emerging trends and any shifting clinical data points
• Expedite development of CiTRUS’ scientific reputation with each client
• Ensure a high level of service, mutual respect and trust to create effective partnerships with clients, key experts, and other external partners
• Liaise effectively with clients and key experts, acting as the primary point of contact according to account requirements

External Communications

Where appropriate and necessary, communicate with authors and/or clients concerning project status and changes

• Actively participate in client presentations, communicating and promoting CiTRUS’ expertise and informed perspectives
• Support project team in proactively anticipating, addressing, and responding to author/client requests
• Support the development of New Business, working with the commercial team as appropriate to identify and convert new targets and opportunities
• Provide scientific support in the development of proposals/pitches as appropriate

Qualifications

Education

Higher degree in the life sciences; PhD, MD or PharmD preferred

Experience

• 8+ years of publications experience within the pharmaceutical or medical communications industry
• Demonstrated understanding of product life cycles, competitive landscapes, and role of publications in client’s medical and commercial strategies
• Experience translating complex data into effective presentation formats

Special Knowledge / Skills

• Strong understanding of clinical research and analyses
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to identify key issues; creatively and strategically overcome challenges
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, and accountability
• Ability to think analytically and to effectively plan, prioritize, and execute
• Expert verbal and written communication skills
• Expert presentation skills with a variety of formats to a variety of audiences
• Ability to work to the allocated deadlines and specification
• Understanding and application of good publications and practice and relevant compliance requirements
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite; especially Microsoft PowerPoint, with the ability to produce well‑designed and effective decks

Additional Information

* CiTRUS is not accepting submissions from recruiter / search firms at this time

Citrus Health Group is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant because of race, creed, color, age, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, disability, genetic information, veteran status, military status, application for military service, or any other class protected by state or federal law.