Senior Medical Strategy & Narrative Lead

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

Job summary

Fifth Element in New York seeks a senior medical strategy leader to turn complex science into clear, credible storytelling across medical communications. You will guide teams, partner with clients, and ensure the science is accurate and meaningful.

You will own medical strategy across accounts and therapy areas, lead development of scientific narratives, translate data into messaging, and uphold regulatory and MLR processes while mentoring junior staff.

Qualifications

• Advanced scientific degree required or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years in medical communications, medical strategy, or pharma advertising.
• Proven ability to translate complex science into audience-ready messaging.
• Experience leading multi-brand or large-scale med comms accounts.
• Strong understanding of clinical data, publication planning, and regulatory frameworks.
• Mentor and develop junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Own medical strategy across medical communications accounts and therapy areas.
• Lead development of scientific narratives across disease education, MOA, data dissemination, and HCP/patient education.
• Translate complex clinical data into clear, structured communication strategies.
• Partner with creative, account, and scientific teams to shape work from the ground up.
• Serve as a senior scientific partner to clients—trusted, steady, and highly credible.
• Drive consistency and excellence across multi-brand programs.
• Guide content strategy across omnichannel medical communications initiatives.
• Ensure scientific integrity across all deliverables, including review through MLR and compliance processes.
• Mentor Associate Directors and Strategists, elevating scientific thinking across the team.
• Identify gaps in the science story and proactively shape solutions.

Skills

Scientific storytelling

Medical strategy

Client relationship skills

Mentoring

Strategic judgment

Education

Advanced scientific degree (PharmD, MD, PhD, or equivalent)

Job description

Fifth Element in New York seeks a senior medical strategy leader to turn complex science into clear, credible storytelling across medical communications. You will guide teams, partner with clients, and ensure the science is accurate and meaningful.

You will own medical strategy across accounts and therapy areas, lead development of scientific narratives, translate data into messaging, and uphold regulatory and MLR processes while mentoring junior staff.