Senior Director Thought Leadership

Novotech; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 190,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Paid parental leave

Wellness programs

Ongoing development programs

Job summary

Novotech seeks a Senior Director, Thought Leadership to lead the global thought leadership program across therapeutic areas, channels, and regions. You will interview experts, conduct research, and deliver near-final drafts for expert review.

You will shape editorial calendars and manage bylines, podcasts, and campaigns to support sponsor selection of Novotech. You’ll collaborate with the Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Medical Officer, and Global PMO, ensuring high-quality content, strategic

Qualifications

• 10 to 12 years in marketing communications, content or editorial roles; five years leading thought leadership programs.
• Clinical development industry experience required; CRO experience preferred.
• Experience interviewing scientific or medical experts and writing in their voice.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and extend the evidence base behind sponsor questions for global programs.
• Turn evidence into case studies and data-led articles for US and European sponsors.
• Collaborate with Sales/BD to turn clients into references and co-authored content.
• Document programs Novotech has carried across phases and regions.
• Conduct 30–45 minute interviews with experts; draft and present near-final pieces.

Skills

Marketing communications

Thought leadership

Editorial leadership

Interviewing experts

Content strategy

Job description

The Senior Director, Thought Leadership puts Novotech's global delivery record in front of sponsors in the United States and Europe, in the words of the experts who did the work. That record is Novotech's strongest proof point, and this role is how it reaches the market. This is a writing and editorial leadership role, not a coordination role. You interview the expert, do the research, and return a draft they can react to. Experts should spend their time on the idea and the review, never on the first draft. You will build and run the thought leadership program across therapeutic areas, channels and regions. That includes the editorial calendar, the expert bench, media relations, podcasts, bylines and speaking. Every piece has a job. It gives sponsors evidence they can use when choosing a partner for a global program. The role reports to the Chief Marketing Officer and works day to day with the Chief Medical Office and the Global Project Management organization.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and extend the evidence base behind the questions sponsors ask when they choose a partner for a global program.
• Turn that evidence into case studies, data-led articles and reference stories written for US and European sponsors. Named teams, enrollment results and submission history carry more weight than claims.
• Work with Sales and Business Development to turn satisfied clients into references and co-authored content.
• Document programs Novotech has carried across phases and regions.
• Run 30-to-45-minute interviews with medical, scientific and delivery experts. Draft the piece. Bring it back about 90 percent right so the expert only has to refine it.
• Research each topic before the interview. Use survey data, the expert's view and, where possible, a short client perspective.
• Write practical content that sponsors can act on. Playbooks, pitfalls to avoid, and lessons from trials Novotech has run. Lead with evidence, not adjectives.
• Hold a high bar on draft quality. Generative AI can speed up research and first passes. The finished work must read as the expert's own thinking.
• Build the editorial calendar with the Chief Medical Office and the therapeutic delivery units. Cover the range of areas Novotech works in, from oncology and immunology to CNS, infectious disease and general medicine.
• Run content as campaigns with a defined start and end, not as one-off pieces.
• Turn industry insight into content. Mine Novotech's own market research, commercial insight, regulatory shifts and conference themes for points of view Novotech can defend. Then publish them where sponsors look. LinkedIn posts for executives and experts, byline articles, playbooks, webinars and podcast episodes.
• Set the planning standard for executive content. Topics, talking points and timing are agreed in advance of every executive appearance.
• Identify and develop the experts who will be the scientific face of Novotech. They sit in Medical Strategy and Science, Drug Development Consulting, the medical team and the therapeutic delivery units.
• Arrange media training for experts who need it.
• Bring experts into the program as they join or take on new remits.
• Support scientific advisory boards where marketing input helps.
• Develop and maintain relationships with trade, business and scientific media. Secure placements in print, broadcast and online outlets.
• Write press releases, byline articles and keynote content.
• Open new channels, including podcasts, and match each piece to the channel where it will reach sponsors.
• Shape the thought leadership presence at priority events, including JP Morgan in January and the major therapeutic congresses.
• Track readership, engagement and use by Sales and Business Development. Over time, track shifts in how sponsors in the US and Europe describe Novotech.
• Report results in plain terms to the Chief Marketing Officer and the executive team.
• Keep a simple way of sharing what the program produces, internally and externally.

Qualifications and Experience

• 10 to 12 years in marketing communications, content or editorial roles, with at least five years leading thought leadership programs.
• Clinical development industry experience is required. CRO experience is strongly preferred. You should be able to hold a credible conversation with a Chief Medical Officer about trial design, therapeutic areas and the sponsor's point of view.
• A record of interviewing scientific or medical experts and writing in their voice. Please be ready to share published examples and explain how much of the draft was yours.
• Experience placing stories with trade and business media and preparing executives for interviews and keynotes.
• Experience running an editorial calendar across several therapeutic areas and regions.

Expected Salary Range - Senior Director, Thought Leadership: $190,000 to $210,000 USD - Salary offered will be based on candidate's experience level.

Find out more about working at Novotech at: www.novotech-cro.com/careers

Benefits and Workplace Culture

• We are proud to offer a great workplace.
• We are committed to being an employer of choice for gender equality and providing an inclusive work environment where everyone is treated fairly and with respect.
• We support our team members with flexible working options, paid parental leave for both parents, flexible leave entitlements, wellness programs and ongoing development programs.
• We are looking for people who are passionate about working clinical research and biotech, including people who identify as LGBTIQ+, have a disability or have caring responsibilities.
• We are a Circle Back Initiative Employer and commit to respond to every application.