Associate Scientific Director

Be part of something great!

Synchrony Group is an independently owned network of companies, headquartered in West Chester, PA.

At Synchrony, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality products and services in the medical communications industry. Our vision is to create the highest value for our clients and the most opportunity for our team members, while working together to improve the lives of patients. Collectively, we are leaders in strategic planning, development, and execution of best-in-class programs that address medical needs, maximize strategic objectives, and make significant scientific and clinical contributions. Our passion and commitment to improving outcomes for our clients, healthcare professionals, and patients drives us to exceed expectations in everything we do.

Synchrony consists of integrated groups of medical-scientific, clinical, creative, commercial, and industry experts. Synchrony Medical Communications specializes in strategic medical communications, publication planning, and associated scientific content and engagement. Our teams reflect our commitment to excellence—we’re smart, enthusiastic, and driven. We align the skills, experiences, and perspectives of diverse individuals to achieve unparalleled results in an environment of respect and mutual support. Above all, we are passionate about changing the world and improving the lives of patients.

Our success is built on the foundation of our team, and we’re always striving to strengthen our foundation. More than just seeking out the best and brightest to join us, we also create a work environment in which employees are respected and encouraged to grow.

Are you looking to be part of something great? We’d like to meet you!

Summary

The Associate Scientific Director: 1) independently develops high-quality and accurate strategic medical/scientific content that clearly supports project and overarching client/product goals and objectives;2) participates in strategic and tactical medical communications activities for assigned accounts providing strategic and scientific oversite; 3) demonstrates a working command of relevant therapeutic areas and expertise with assigned products and relevant landscape (as necessary); 4) interprets and applies clinical data and ensures the scientific integrity, clinical relevance, quality, and appropriateness of all scientific communications and associated deliverables; 5) collaborates with account team, and others, in forging strong client relationships to achieve client goals and support organic growth for assigned accounts; 6) interacts with clinical/scientific experts to support client relationships and achieve strategic and tactical goals; 7) represents the department at relevant internal functions requiring expert input and represents the company at client meetings at which scientific expertise is needed for the planning or acquisition of future projects.

Job Duties

Strategic Insight and Support

• Demonstrate a working command of assigned therapeutic areas and expertise with assigned products and an ability to understand application of knowledge to client/product strategies and goals
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of medical scientific information related to assigned therapeutic areas, products, and competitors, as needed
• Ensure scientific integrity, accuracy, and clinical relevance of all scientific communications and associated deliverables
• Interpret and apply preclinical and clinical data
• Communicate and collaborate with clinical/scientific experts, clients, and the internal team on programs/projects to assure scientific accuracy while executing strategies to meet strategic objectives
• Prepare/provide competitive intelligence/situation analyses/gap analyses for the account team and clients by collecting and analyzing available data
• Participate in new business development activities, as needed
• Conceptualize and create innovative communication initiatives that are evidenced based and scientifically credible
• Participate in strategic and tactical communication planning activities for assigned therapeutic areas and products
• Generate strategically sound project ideas and maintain a proactive approach on initiatives for existing and prospective clients

Content Development

• Lead the development of medical communications deliverables in a manner consistent with internal and external policies and industry best practices
• Assume responsibility for content of assigned projects, including relevance, technical accuracy, audience appropriateness, strategy, and consistency with medical strategic and/or communications plan(s)
• Provide independent medical/scientific content development with appropriate alignment to strategic goals
• Review/revise scientific content as needed
• Follow all internal processes and procedures with regard to workflow and development of deliverables
• Clearly communicate medical scientific concepts in an efficient, audience-appropriate way
• Keep management informed of status of ongoing projects
• Research and develop content for assigned projects, in accordance with project goals and client guidance
• Understand and adhere to Synchrony Medical/AMA/client (and other applicable) style guidelines as directed
• Determine adequacy of references provided for the project and obtain additional references or information as necessary
• Provide accurate citations in text (eg, utilizing EndNote system) and appropriately annotated references for medical review
• Appropriately address all inquiries and incorporate all revisions requested by faculty, internal, and client reviewers
• Perform other duties as requested

Internal and External Relationships

• Foster and develop collaboration between internal and external stakeholders to deliver high quality work within established timeframes and to ensure innovative and collaborative solutions to client needs
• Exhibit professional manner and be a positive force for enhancing the team culture, constructive working relationships, consensus building, and internal communications
• Work as part of a team to ensure that it is meeting company goals and objectives, and adhering to corporate values
• Communicate and collaborate with clinical/scientific experts on programs to meet strategic objectives through relationship building, advocacy development, and use of scientific expertise
• Keep management apprised of key departmental concerns and issues

Business Development

• Support new business teams to ensure data are medically sound and teams are well informed about all medical aspects of the product
• Assist in the development of new business presentations by analyzing and synthesizing literature, pharmacologic attributes, clinical data, and market research into a strategic application for capabilities
• Assist Account Services in conducting physician and patient interviews as part of qualitative research for various activities, including new business presentations and strategic onboarding, and augment dialogue by delving into medical issues to more clearly define physicians’ and patients’ attitudes and behaviors
•  Help to identify potential external collaborators (eg, clinical/scientific experts) and participants for medical affairs initiatives and meetings

Key Competencies

• Effective attention to detail and high degree of scientific and medical accuracy
• Solid medical content research and development skills
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing
• Ability to effectively understand and apply medical strategy during tactical development
• High level of integrity, ethics, confidentially, and accountability
• Well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills
• Ability to identify key issues and to creatively and strategically overcome challenges or obstacles
• Sound strategic and analytical thinking, planning, prioritization, and execution skills
• Exceptional organizational skills with adeptness at multitasking
• Flexibility and adaptability to change; ability to work under time constraints and to juggle multiple projects and timelines
• Ability to interact effectively in a fast-paced team environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Strong presentation skills: Can develop a clear point of view and tell a meaningful “story”; is effective in a variety of settings and group sizes; confidently expresses both data/facts and more controversial topics

Requirements

• PhD, PharmD, or MD
• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in medical communications field
• Substantial experience with at least 2 of the following activities: medical strategy development, medical communications campaigns, advisory boards, or clinical/scientific expert identification and development
• Ability to travel as client needs require
• Expertise in multiple therapeutic areas

Working Conditions

• Remote position
• Travel required (~15%)
• Ability to support and conduct presentations
• Overtime as required

Synchrony places high value on the well-being of its employees; therefore, Synchrony team members are eligible for a comprehensive array of benefits, including competitive salaries, generous paid time off, excellent health insurance, family leave, and a 401(k) plan with employer matching.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

EOE. Synchrony is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role.