Senior Director, Medical and Scientific Communications

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Oversee the formulation and implementation of Vera’s publication and scientific congress strategy.

• Create and sustain a comprehensive publication roadmap that includes manuscripts, abstracts, posters, oral presentations, encore presentations, and various scientific communications.

• Transform clinical development plans, data readouts, and milestones into effective publication and congress strategies.

• Generate scientific content and evidence-based messaging that aligns with the medical and scientific communication platform.

• Direct the planning and execution of scientific congresses, covering abstracts, posters, and oral presentations.

• Compose, revise, and critically assess manuscripts, abstracts, posters, oral presentations, and scientific slide decks.

• Manage the complete publication development process from conception and data availability to submission, presentation, publication, and post-publication activities.

• Facilitate internal and external author reviews while fostering relationships with investigators and external authors.

• Ensure that publications adhere to GPP, ICMJE, company policies, and the requirements of journals and congresses.

• Collaborate with Clinical Development and Biostatistics to analyze clinical datasets and convert them into scientific communications.

• Act as a scientific communications partner for Clinical Development, Biostatistics, Medical Affairs, Clinical Operations, Regulatory, and Commercial teams.

• Evaluate cross-functional materials for coherence with the approved scientific narrative and evidence.

• Identify risks, gaps, or inconsistencies in scientific communication and propose solutions.

• Enhance publication planning and development processes, workflows, governance, templates, tools, and review procedures.

• Monitor publication status, deadlines, dependencies, author reviews, and key decisions; provide progress metrics and reports.

• Coordinate the cross-functional publication planning committee.

• Supervise external medical communications agencies, publication vendors, and freelance medical writers.

• Develop publication and congress forecasts while managing delivery within the Medical and Scientific Communications budget.

• Travel up to 30% for congresses, advisory meetings, and other business engagements.

⛳️ Requirements

• Advanced scientific or clinical degree (PhD, PharmD, MD, or equivalent) in a relevant field.

• At least 10 years of experience in scientific communications, medical writing, or publications within the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or medical communications sectors.

• Minimum of 8 years of direct experience in medical writing and scientific publications, including the development of peer-reviewed manuscripts and scientific congress presentations.

• Proven experience in developing and executing strategic publication plans for clinical-stage programs.

• Strong comprehension of clinical development and the ability to interpret clinical trial data, statistical analyses, tables, figures, and other data outputs.

• Experience collaborating directly with Clinical Development and Biostatistics to translate intricate clinical data into scientific publications and communications.

• Exceptional skills in scientific writing, editing, and critical review.

• Demonstrated experience managing publication development and external author reviews.

• Familiarity with Good Publication Practice (GPP), ICMJE authorship guidelines, and relevant publication standards and ethical requirements.

• Working knowledge of healthcare compliance requirements governing medical communications, including pertinent OIG, PhRMA, and EFPIA guidelines.

• Proven ability to manage external medical communications agencies and vendors.

• Capability to juggle multiple complex projects, priorities, and deadlines in a dynamic biotechnology environment.

• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills with an established ability to foster alignment across cross-functional teams.

• Scientific training or research experience in nephrology, immunology, or a closely related field (preferred).

• In-depth scientific understanding of nephrology, immunology, autoimmune diseases, or related therapeutic areas; experience with IgA nephropathy or related glomerular diseases is a plus (preferred).

• Experience in formulating long-range publication strategies that integrate clinical development milestones, statistical analyses, congress opportunities, and manuscript planning (preferred).

• Experience in supporting scientific communication platforms and core scientific narratives (preferred).

• Prior leadership experience in a publications or medical communications role (preferred).

• Certified Medical Publication Professional (CMPP) credential (preferred).

🏝️ Benefits

• Annual performance incentive bonus.

• New hire equity.

• Ongoing performance-based equity.

• Medical insurance.

• Dental insurance.

• Vision insurance.

• 401k match.

• Flexible time off.

• Paid holidays.