Director, Health Strategy (Maternity Coverage)

Director, Health Strategy (Maternity Coverage)

As a healthcare communications agency, we provide leading global pharmaceutical companies with expertise in the development of marketing strategies and tactics, as well as medical educational initiatives that meet the requirements of relevant regulatory bodies and their respective guidelines. Our clients range from mid to large pharmaceutical companies, covering a diverse selection of prescription and non‑prescription products that span multiple therapeutic areas with geographic emphasis ranging from national to international in scope.

DIRECTOR, HEALTH STRATEGY JOB DESCRIPTION

Working as the lead of multiple brand teams, your primary role will be to guide and mentor a team of medical writers and strategists in researching and developing content and communication strategy for a wide range of educational and promotional materials for prescription pharmaceutical products. Relying on your strong leadership, scientific background, strategic, and research skills, you will be expected to be an “expert” in a diverse range of therapeutic areas, contributing your ideas as part of the overall strategic planning and business development process in Canada, the US, and other constituencies as opportunities and needs present themselves. You will also interact with other departments at the agency (Client Service, Analytics, Data, Account Management, and Creative teams) to ensure that the final materials are scientifically accurate and meet the appropriate regulatory requirements. Further to this, you will work directly with clients and act as a liaison with healthcare providers to meet deliverables and provide senior‑level support and service. Your duties will also include ensuring operational excellence of the Health Strategy department, guiding the professional development and growth of employees within it, and being a key point of contact and source of strategic and medical information for our US team (and beyond) across multiple therapeutic areas (as required).

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be a primary point of contact for clients from a strategic and medical perspective, with a focus on providing senior‑level support and service.
• Demonstrate an expert understanding of assigned products and therapeutic areas to be able to distill complex medical information into key selling messages and communication strategy that will support achievement of brand goals and business objectives.
• Lead a team of medical writers and strategists on assigned brands to research, write, reference, and update promotional and educational materials, including but not limited to marketing campaigns, campaign execution and measurement, websites, reports, presentations, and other digital and print collateral materials.
• Research, write, self‑edit, reference and update promotional and educational materials, as needed, for high‑level strategic initiatives.
• Disseminate knowledge of the requirements of various pharmaceutical regulatory bodies in Canada and other markets, and partner with team members to liaise with external regulators and internal agency partners to ensure the work meets the needs of the brand and client.
• Provide strategic direction to internal and external teams and guide the development of innovative solutions to solve brand, market, and regulatory challenges.
• Proofread layouts from a senior‑level perspective to verify that all content and imagery are medically and scientifically accurate.
• Provide guidance, training, and mentorship to Health Strategists, Senior Health Strategists, Managers of Health Strategy, and the other members of the client team.
• Participate in weekly Health Strategy Management meetings and provide valuable insight on how to improve company process, people, service, etc.
• Ensure project workflow is efficient and communicate any workload issues to the Group Director.
• Line manage one to three Health Strategists and/or Senior Health Strategists, and collaborate with peers and senior resources globally.
• Focus on driving business development by sharing ideas and tactics on assigned brands, identifying and supporting pursuit of cross‑functional opportunities (analytics, creative, strategy, etc.).
• Participate in the review, development, and delivery of RFPs and new business pitches for both organic and net new opportunities within Canada and the US (as required).
• Collaborate with global dentsu health colleagues and executive leadership team to support the development, review, and delivery of timely thought‑leadership initiatives targeted at the Americas and Global audiences.
• Promote the success of dentsu health by fostering business relations with clients and other stakeholders, positively impacting intra‑ and interdepartmental operations, ensuring company employees’ best interests are met, maintaining a reputation of high standards and desirability, and exercising independent judgement to make informed decisions that benefit the company.
• Undertake special projects and travel, as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• University Degree in Health Science, Biology, or related field.
• 7 years+ previous pharmaceutical or agency experience within a medical division (e.g., medical education, medical affairs, or similar).
• Experience managing and directing people.
• A passion for science and medicine with a keen interest in marketing, strategy, and healthcare communications.
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills and research skills.
• Detailed knowledge of the PAAB Code and Ad Standards Guides, as well as other regulatory/ethical standards applicable to healthcare product advertising in Canada and other markets.
• A solutions‑driven, detail‑oriented, organized, and resourceful work style.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects to meet deliverables.
• Bilingualism (English and French) is a strong asset, but not required.

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Contract

Job function

• Advertising

Industries

• Media Production

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