Lead Medical Writer - Medical Communications

Avalere Health Group; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K match

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Medical plan

Dental & Vision

Hybrid/Remote work

Vacation + wellbeing day

Public holidays

End-of-year holidays

Summer Fridays

Job summary

Avalere Health is seeking a Lead Medical Writer specializing in Oncology to deliver high-quality, scientifically rigorous content across multiple accounts. You will oversee editorial processes from planning through review, guiding writers and coordinating with clients to ensure timely results.

You will lead strategy, contribute to client interactions, and develop presentations while advancing to higher leadership roles as you grow in scientific and strategic leadership.

Qualifications

• Degree in life sciences; PharmD or PhD highly preferred.
• 4+ years of medical or scientific writing experience, preferably in a healthcare consultancy or medical communications agency.
• Proven experience developing scientific content across Oncology accounts is essential.
• Ability to manage multiple scientific content types and ensure accuracy and flow.
• Proven project ownership, proactive collaboration, and strong client communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead writer and client contact for assigned accounts.
• Develop content with project team to ensure quality editorial delivery.
• Communicate with editorial, client, vendor and project teams to meet timelines and budget.
• Provide guidance to junior writers in the team.
• Provide scientific oversight for large/complex projects and workflows.
• Drive project delivery and champion compliant processes both internally and externally.
• Support business development with strategic ideas for new projects.
• Represent Avalere Health at client meetings and advisory boards.

Skills

Medical writing

Content development

Project leadership

Client communication

Mentoring

Education

Life sciences degree

Job description

About Avalere Health

United by one profound purpose: to reach EVERY PATIENT POSSIBLE. At Avalere Health, we ensure every patient is identified, treated, supported, and cared for. Equally. Our Advisory, Medical, and Marketing teams come together – powerfully and intentionally – to forge unconventional connections, building a future where healthcare is not a barrier and no patient is left behind.

Achieving our mission starts with providing enriching, purpose-driven careers for our team that empower them to make a tangible impact on patient lives. We are committed to creating a culture where our employees are empowered to bring their whole selves to work and tap into the power of diverse backgrounds and skillsets to play a part in making a difference for every patient, everywhere.

Our flexible approach to working allows our global teams to decide where they want to work, whether in-office or at home based on team and client need. Major city hubs in London, Manchester, Washington, D.C., and New York, and smaller offices globally, serve as collaboration hubs allowing our teams to come together when it matters. Homeworkers are equally supported, with dedicated social opportunities and resources.

Our inclusive culture is at the heart of everything we do. We proudly support our employees in bringing their whole selves to work with our six Employee Network Groups – Diverse Ability, Family, Gender, LGBTQ+, Mental Health, and Race/Ethnicity. These groups provide opportunities to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion and to connect, learn, and socialise through regular meetings and programs of activity. We are an accredited Fertility Friendly employer with our Fertility Policy, enhanced parental leave, and culture of flexibility ensuring every employee feels supported across their family planning journey and can work in a way that suits their family’s needs.

We take pride in being part of the Disability Confident Scheme. This helps make sure you can be interviewed fairly if you have a disability, long term health condition, or are neurodiverse. If you'd like to apply and need adjustments made, you can let us know in your application.

Location: Flexible, ideally East Coast based

About the role

As a Lead Medical Writer, you will take ownership of delivering high-quality, scientifically accurate content across a range of Oncology focused medical communications projects, transforming complex data into clear, engaging stories for healthcare professionals. You will lead multiple accounts, ensuring editorial excellence from initial planning through to final review. You will guide and support writers, manage content allocation, and play an active role in strategic client interactions. You will also develop compelling client presentations and oversee all editorial outputs to ensure they meet agreed timelines and deliverables. You will benefit from a clear, structured career pathway, with the opportunity to progress to Associate Scientific Director and beyond as you continue to expand your scientific, strategic and leadership skills. Your expertise will be key to maintaining high quality standards and driving successful outcomes for our clients.

What you'll do

• Act as a lead writer and client contact for assigned accounts
• Develop content, working closely with your assigned project team to ensure quality editorial implementation of all assigned-client programs
• Effectively and proactively communicate with the editorial, client, vendor and project teams to ensure projects are completed on time and budget
• Briefing, reviewing, guidance and direction to less experienced writers in account team
• Provide high‑quality scientific oversight for assigned large/complex projects or a workstream
• Drive project delivery and champions processes both internal and external (including compliance)
• Provide business development support, investigate, conceptualise, and strategise new medical communications projects and publications to support the assigned-clients needs and opportunities
• Represent Avalere Health at client meetings, advisory boards, speaker‑training meetings, business development initiatives

About you

• Degree in the life sciences; PharmD or PhD highly preferred
• Ideally 4 years+ experience in medical or scientific writing, preferably within a healthcare consultancy or medical communications agency
• Proven experience in the development of scientific content across Oncology focused accounts is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a variety of scientific content types, including high volume publications, and review content for accuracy and flow
• Proven experience in project ownership and problem-solving, with the ability to work proactively in a collaborative team environment
• Strong client communication skills and the ability to serve as a reliable point of contact for clients and external experts.
• Proven ability to provide leadership and mentoring to junior writers
• Experience managing client relationships and serving as a key point of contact
• Familiarity with compliance and regulatory guidelines for medical communications

$110,000 - $125,000 a year

We are committed to offering a competitive and fair salary that reflects your location, skills and the experience you will bring to our team. Salary ranges posted are dependent upon experience.

What we can offer

You will receive a 401K plan with an employer match contribution up to 4% (immediately vested), as well as life insurance, disability coverage, and medical, dental, and vision plans for peace of mind. Enjoy flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and remote work, along with the option to work from anywhere across the globe two weeks each year. We provide 20 vacation days plus one personal well-being day, recognise 9 public holidays, along with gifted end-of-year holidays and an early Summer Friday finish in June, July, and August.

Access free counselling through our employee assistance program and personalized health support. Our enhanced maternity, paternity, family leave, and fertility policies provide support across every stage of your family-planning journey. You can also benefit from continuous opportunities to professionally develop with on-demand training, support, and global mobility opportunities across the business.

We encourage all applicants to read our candidate privacy notice before applying to Avalere Health.