Medical Strategy Director- Advertising

Fifth Element; New York (NY); On-site; USD 145,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Fifth Element seeks a senior medical strategy leader to direct medical strategy across major brands and therapy areas. You will guide cross-disciplinary teams, ensure alignment with brand and creative efforts, and drive the clinical narrative with accuracy and strategic impact.

You will mentor Associate Directors and Strategists, develop senior client relationships, and oversee complex accounts with strategic judgment and speed. This role carries significant leadership responsibility.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (PharmD, MD, PhD, or equivalent scientific training preferred).
• 7-12+ years of experience in medical strategy, medical communications, or pharma advertising.
• Proven experience leading multi-brand or therapy area accounts.
• Strong understanding of clinical data, regulatory environments, and promotional compliance.
• Track record of shaping brand strategy—not just reviewing it.
• Confident senior client presence with strong relationship-building skills.
• Experience mentoring and developing multi-level teams.
• Strong strategic judgment with the ability to simplify complex science into clear direction.

Responsibilities

• Own medical strategy across major brands and therapy areas.
• Lead multi-brand portfolios with confidence, consistency, and clear strategic direction.
• Act as a senior client partner—trusted voice in strategic and scientific discussions.
• Shape brand direction by integrating medical strategy with brand, engagement, and creative teams.
• Drive the promotional narrative, ensuring scientific accuracy and commercial relevance.
• Lead complex, high-visibility accounts with strong judgment and steady decision-making.
• Partner closely with account and creative leadership to elevate the work early and continuously.
• Guide work through MLR with clarity, speed, and authority.
• Mentor and oversee Associate Directors and Strategists, building capability across levels.
• Strengthen and grow client relationships through consistent strategic leadership.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Mentoring

Client relationships

Medical strategy

Regulatory awareness

Education

Advanced degree

Job description

You own the science—and how it shows up in the work. You lead medical strategy across major brands and therapy areas, shaping direction, guiding teams, and building trust with clients at a senior level. You're not just validating strategy—you're driving it. You sit at the intersection of medical, brand, and creative, making sure everything is aligned, accurate, and built to perform.

Responsibilities

• Own medical strategy across major brands and therapy areas
• Lead multi-brand portfolios with confidence, consistency, and clear strategic direction
• Act as a senior client partner—trusted voice in strategic and scientific discussions
• Shape brand direction by integrating medical strategy with brand, engagement, and creative teams
• Drive the promotional narrative, ensuring scientific accuracy and commercial relevance
• Lead complex, high-visibility accounts with strong judgment and steady decision-making
• Partner closely with account and creative leadership to elevate the work early and continuously
• Guide work through MLR with clarity, speed, and authority
• Mentor and oversee Associate Directors and Strategists, building capability across levels
• Strengthen and grow client relationships through consistent strategic leadership

Requirements

• Advanced degree (PharmD, MD, PhD, or equivalent scientific training preferred)
• 7-12+ years of experience in medical strategy, medical communications, or pharma advertising
• Proven experience leading multi-brand or therapy area accounts
• Strong understanding of clinical data, regulatory environments, and promotional compliance
• Track record of shaping brand strategy—not just reviewing it
• Confident senior client presence with strong relationship-building skills
• Experience mentoring and developing multi-level teams
• Strong strategic judgment with the ability to simplify complex science into clear direction

Pay Range- $145,000 - $160,000