Creative Director, Copy

FWD People•New York, NY

26d

About The Position

As Creative Director, Copy (Healthcare), you’ll define the voice of our healthcare brands and lead the charge in translating complex science into compelling stories. You’ll inspire and grow a team of writers, partner across disciplines, and deliver high-impact creative that drives measurable results for our clients. You’ll define the voice of our healthcare brands and lead the storytelling that turns complex science into powerful, resonant ideas. You’ll shape campaigns across every channel — digital, social, video, experiential, and print — and guide a team of writers to deliver work that’s bold, clear, and strategically sharp. You know how to partner with medical executives and strategists, how to elevate the standards of healthcare copy, and how to win the room with ideas that connect. You bring a portfolio that proves you can craft and sell big campaign platforms, plus the leadership skills to mentor writers, collaborate across disciplines, and set the creative bar higher every time. At FWD, we care deeply about our work and the people we work with — so we take our no-jerk policy seriously. You’ll thrive here if you bring ownership without ego, a sense of humor, and a love of building teams and brands that matter.

Requirements

Around 11+ years of copywriting and creative leadership experience in an agency environment, with a strong portfolio of healthcare work.
Expertise translating complex medical and scientific concepts into clear, compelling, human language — you’ve partnered with medical executives and know how to partner with them to create copy that resonates with everybody else.
A track record of shaping and selling big campaign ideas across multiple channels — you can point to success stories and walk us through your ownership from concept through delivery.
Excellent communication and presentation skills — hopefully the broader communication piece goes without saying, but the ability to present is crucial at this level. You show up with confidence and can win the room and rally stakeholders.
You’re comfortable in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments where priorities shift.
A sense of humor. You always take your work seriously, but not always yourself.
Ownership without ego. You’re a big picture thinker who doesn’t sweat being in the weeds to deliver excellence. We take our no jerk policy seriously and so should you.
10+ years of copywriting and creative leadership experience in an agency environment, with a strong portfolio of healthcare work.
Expertise translating complex medical and scientific concepts into clear, compelling, human language - you’ve partnered with medical executives and know how to partner with them to create copy that resonates with everybody else.
A track record of shaping and selling big campaign ideas across multiple channels - you can point to success stories and walk us through your ownership from concept through delivery.
Excellent communication and presentation skills—hopefully the broader communication piece goes without saying, but the ability to present is crucial at this level - you show up with confidence and can win the room and rally stakeholders.
Give creative thinking for campaigns and initiatives that pronounce the creative strategy and brand personality
Prepare materials for client copy approval submissions, ensuring pieces are referenced and annotated according to AMA style, without supervision
Collaborate with Account teams and Producers to gain input and keep jobs on schedule
Ability to independently run multiple projects, sometimes for different brands/industries

Nice To Haves

NYC-based strongly preferred, but open to exceptional remote talent or relocation.
NYC-based strongly preferred, but open to exceptional remote talent or relocation.

Responsibilities

Translate Science and Strategy Into Story — Partner with account, strategy, creative, and medical teams to translate complex scientific and medical information into memorable, engaging messages for both healthcare professionals and consumers, ensuring accuracy while making it accessible, resonant, and emotionally powerful.
Drive Healthcare Copy FWD while Elevating Standards and Craft — Partner with brand, strategy, and account leads to craft campaign concepts that are bold, distinctive, and aligned to brand personality and business goals. Oversee all copy deliverables for accuracy, compliance (including AMA style), and creative integrity. Raise the bar for clarity and originality.
Lead Campaign Storytelling — Own the creative direction of copy across digital, social, video, experiential, and print. Shape headlines, narratives, and messaging frameworks that bring healthcare brands to life.
Inspire and Mentor Writers — Coach a high-performing copy team. Push for craft, clarity, and originality while creating a culture of collaboration, feedback, and growth.
Run the Room — Present creative internally and externally with authority, clearly tying ideas back to strategy and communication objectives.
Collaborate Across Disciplines — Work side-by-side with art directors, designers, strategists, and medical editors to deliver integrated creative that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
Stay Ahead of What’s Next — Keep a pulse on cultural trends, healthcare industry shifts, and content innovation—applying them to make our work fresh and relevant.
Lead the copy vision and voice for healthcare accounts across campaigns, content, and channels.
Translate complex medical and scientific concepts into clear, resonant, and powerful narratives for both HCP and consumer audiences.
Inspire, mentor, and grow a team of copywriters and editors—pushing for craft, clarity, and originality while fostering a culture of collaboration and experimentation.
Partner with brand, strategy, and account leads to shape campaign concepts that are bold, distinctive, and on-strategy.
Present creative with confidence, clearly articulating the thinking and tying ideas back to business and communication objectives.
Collaborate with designers, art directors, strategists, and medical editors to deliver integrated work that is more than the sum of its parts.
Oversee copy standards, ensuring accuracy, compliance (including AMA style), and creative excellence across all deliverables.