Who We Are:
At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.
Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.
Who we are looking for:
As Senior Vice President, Medical Director you will lead multiple science teams for various clients and brands and will champion the scientific integrity of our work product. You will have overall scientific accountability for all aspects of the finished products and must understand the strategy for the brand(s) and projects and ensure the science is used to support this strategic direction. As a senior member, you are accountable for client satisfaction, scientific rigor and accuracy, and strategic excellence of all projects for which you are responsible. Furthermore, you are part of the company management team, and thus will participate in management meetings and work with other senior managers to develop business opportunities, manage day-to-day functions related to operational procedures, and achieve company goals.
What you’ll do:
Management/Leadership
- Serve as the primary point of contact for senior client medical officers
- Provide scientific leadership on all projects for multiple accounts
- Act as mentor to the individuals in the science group and identify opportunities for individual growth and experiences by setting goals and coaching, when appropriate
- Share ideas and best practices across account teams
- Understand, execute, and drive strategic direction in partnership with account services teams and identify and help resolve people/departmental conflicts with practical solutions
- Keep management informed of client activity/issues/opportunities
- Ensure your science teams are adhering to internal processes and working in the most efficient and fiscally responsible manner as content pieces are developed
- Maintain a positive working relationship with all inter-departmental teams
- Assist in recruitment of new team members when necessary
- Be a steward of company culture and environment
- Be a team player and help fellow senior managers when necessary
- Structure, plan, resource, and lead new business team through the pitch process
- Drive both new and organic business
- Network and work in partnership across VML Health and WPP, when appropriate
- Foster and maintain a wide network of valuable relationships in the medical education communications and pharma business sectors (ie, follow clients to new company, keep relationships ongoing with key opinion leaders [KOLs])
Scientific Execution and Marketing Savvy
- Be a brand champion by ensuring all agency efforts and projects are in the best interest of the brand and maximize scientific data to meet the overall strategic imperatives, positioning, and long-term vision
- Be the scientific point-person for all matters relating to content and be skilled in the translation of basic and clinical science into strategic and educational content
- Demonstrate scientific leadership at internal and external meetings
- Possess an intimate knowledge of the therapeutic markets to which the brands belong and stay abreast of market trends and new product entries
- Delegate, supervise, and review scientific pieces to ensure high-level deliverables (ie, provide references and direction, answer questions, review outlines, develop draft content, and review/critique drafts)
- Review scientific content for accuracy
- Actively participate in strategic development and ensure that communication plans have alignment between issues, strategies, and programming and challenge those that do not
- Proactively suggest new and innovative ways to present data
- Establish good working relationships with KOLs
Client Relationships
- Instill confidence in the client such that counsel on issues of content and strategy in educational and promotional materials is sought out and followed
- Develop and maintain harmonious relationships with all levels of client teams
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the therapeutic market and share timely information about changes in the market
- Provide proactive written recommendations to client on a regular basis
- Take responsibility for client satisfaction and identify new ways/solutions to strengthen relationships
- Identify and resolves client conflicts quickly and efficiently
- Engage in client interaction including running teleconferences and client meetings, answering questions regarding content, attend meetings, and demonstrate knowledge of content
Creative and External Resources
- Participate in the development of breakthrough creative and innovative programs founded in strong science
- Ensure high-quality agency output, reflective of consistently superior creative and innovative products, and constructively reject materials that do not meet this standard
- Ensure quality standards of medical writing freelancers
What you’ll need:
- Advanced degree in biomedical sciences (MD, PhD)
- 7+ years previous experience in medical communications agency
- Experience in multiple therapeutic areas
- Experience managing multiple teams and client accounts
- Multiple, successful new business pitches
- Advanced skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, Pubmed
What we offer:
- Passionate, driven people | We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work.
- Consciously cultivated culture | We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery.
- Competitive benefits | What we offer full time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness.
- Growth-minded opportunities | We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset, and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP, so you can continue to grow personally and professionally.
VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or other protected group status. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.
The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, click WPP Benefits for more details.
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$125,000—$295,000 USD
At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization—creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers—who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.
VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram,?LinkedIn, and?X.
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