Publications Lead

ATR International; San Mateo (CA); Remote; USD 141,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

ATR International is seeking an experienced Publications Lead on a remote contract basis to support scientific publication delivery across therapeutic areas. This role requires senior expertise to lead specific publications and campaigns, working with authors, investigators, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely, high-quality communications.

You will manage development from planning to submission, maintain trackers, and adapt to evolving priorities during peak data readouts and congress

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in life sciences.
• 5–7+ years of medical publications experience in pharma/biotech.
• In-depth knowledge of publication guidelines (ICMJE, GPP).
• Strong ability to work independently with minimal onboarding.
• Excellent prioritization and communication in compliance-driven environments.

Responsibilities

• Flexible Publication Leadership: support delivery of publication plans across priority programs; lead publications, workstreams, or assets; provide bandwidth during peak congress timelines and key data readouts.
• End-to-End Publication Execution: lead development and execution of manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and presentations from planning through submission and post-publication activities; maintain publication trackers and calendars.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: work with Medical Affairs, Clinical, HEOR and external authors, investigators, and experts.
• Vendor & Project Oversight: direct medical writing agencies, review deliverables for quality, manage timelines and risks.
• Compliance & Quality: ensure publications adhere to ICMJE, GPP and internal policies with audit-ready docs.
• Adaptive Support: flex across therapeutic areas and projects based on business needs.

Skills

Prioritization

Communication

Attention to detail

Compliance-driven

Education

Advanced degree (PhD, PharmD, MD, or MSc) in life sciences

Job description

Job Type: Contract (Potential for extension)

Pay Rate: $102.48 - $112.99 per hour

Location: Remote (US only)

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Publications Lead to join a premier biopharmaceutical client on a remote contract basis. This role supports the delivery of scientific publications across one or more therapeutic areas during a high-priority period. Working alongside existing Publications Leads, you will provide additional leadership, executional support, and flexibility across the portfolio.

This position is ideal for a senior publications professional who can quickly embed within a team, independently manage key deliverables, and flex across priorities to ensure timely, high-quality scientific communication.

Key Responsibilities

• Flexible Publication Leadership: Partner with existing Publications Leads to support delivery of publication plans across priority programs; step in to lead specific publications, workstreams, or assets; provide additional bandwidth during peak congress timelines and key data readouts.
• End-to-End Publication Execution: Lead development and execution of manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and presentations from planning through submission and post-publication activities; maintain publication trackers and calendars.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Medical Affairs, Clinical, HEOR, and other internal stakeholders while interfacing with external authors, investigators, and experts.
• Vendor & Project Oversight: Provide direction to medical writing agencies, review deliverables for scientific quality, and manage timelines, risks, and competing priorities.
• Compliance & Quality: Ensure all publications adhere to ICMJE, GPP, and internal compliance policies while maintaining audit-ready documentation.
• Adaptive Support: Flex across therapeutic areas, assets, or in-flight projects based on evolving business needs to maintain momentum.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Advanced degree (PhD, PharmD, MD, or MSc) in life sciences required.
• Experience: 5–7+ years of experience in medical publications within the pharma or biotech industry.
• Guidelines Mastery: In-depth, practical knowledge of publication guidelines including ICMJE and GPP.
• Execution: Strong capability to operate independently with minimal onboarding and jump into partially developed projects seamlessly.
• Skills: Excellent prioritization, pragmatic communication in compliance-driven environments, and a high-level quality mindset with meticulous attention to detail.