Lead Medical Writer (Medical Communications)

BioTalent; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

BioTalent is seeking a Scientific Director to lead publications for its US team, with hybrid work options in Boston or New York City. The role offers a salary range of $110,000 to $130,000 and competitive benefits based on experience.

The candidate will steer strategic publication planning across the product lifecycle, acting as scientific lead for manuscripts and congress materials, and mentoring junior writers. Strong GPP/ICMJE knowledge and client-facing skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree required; PhD/PharmD/MD preferred.
• Minimum 5+ years in medical publications within a medical communications agency.
• Strong client-facing and publication-strategy experience.
• Solid knowledge of GPP and ICMJE guidelines.
• Ability to quickly understand new science and therapies.
• Proven track record mentoring writers and elevating team output.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic publication planning and delivery for pharmaceutical and biotech clients across the product lifecycle.
• Serve as the scientific lead on manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and congress presentations, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and strategic alignment.
• Build trusted relationships with client publication leads, medical affairs teams, and authors.
• Guide steering committees and author interactions in line with GPP and ICMJE guidelines.
• Review and elevate the work of medical writers while mentoring junior scientific team members.
• Partner with project management to keep timelines, budgets, and quality on track.

Skills

Publication planning

Scientific leadership

Client communication

GPP/ICMJE knowledge

Experience across therapeutic areas

Education

Advanced scientific degree (PhD, PharmD, or MD)

Tools

CMPP certification

Job description

Scientific Director, Publications | Boston or New York City | $110,000 to $130,000

I'm partnering with an independent, global healthcare communications agency to find a Scientific Director to lead publications work for their US team. This is an opportunity to join an organization known for its scientific rigor, its investment in training and development, and a collaborative culture where scientific leaders help shape how the work gets done.

What you'll do

• Lead strategic publication planning and delivery for pharmaceutical and biotech clients across the product lifecycle
• Serve as the scientific lead on manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and congress presentations, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and strategic alignment
• Build trusted relationships with client publication leads, medical affairs teams, and authors
• Guide steering committees and author interactions in line with GPP and ICMJE guidelines
• Review and elevate the work of medical writers while mentoring junior scientific team members
• Partner with project management to keep timelines, budgets, and quality on track

What you bring

• Advanced scientific degree (PhD, PharmD, or MD) strongly preferred
• 5+ years of publications experience within a medical communications agency, including strategic publication planning
• Confidence leading client conversations and advising on publication strategy
• Strong working knowledge of GPP and ICMJE guidelines; CMPP certification is a plus
• Experience across multiple therapeutic areas and the ability to get up to speed on new science quickly
• A track record of developing writers and raising the quality of a team's work

The details

• Location: Boston or New York City hybrid
• Salary: $110,000 to $130,000 depending on experience, plus very competitive benefits