Group Director, Scientific Communications

Real Chemistry•Boston, MA

2d•$145,000 - $165,000•Hybrid

About The Position

At Real Chemistry, making the world a healthier place isn’t just an aspiration—it’s our everyday reality. Our drive to transform healthcare is informed by our blend of deep scientific expertise, human-centred creativity, and AI-driven insights, fostering a unique environment where innovation thrives and our people are impact-obsessed. As a global agency, we provide a full suite of services across healthcare communications and marketing to our clients, including top players in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Our #LifeatRealChem culture is rooted in our people—we believe we are best together and are committed to excellence for both our clients and colleagues. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career, if you share our passion for healthcare and connection, we invite you to explore our opportunities. Discover your purpose. Embrace innovation. Experience #LifeatRealChem. Group Director, Scientific Communications, will serve as day-to-day scientific communications lead on large to mid-sized accounts within Integrated Communications (IC) at Real Chemistry or specific projects within the Integrated Communications client base. Group Director, Scientific Communications, has an advanced degree in a life sciences discipline (MD, PhD) or clinical training (PharmD, MD, NP, PA) and 5+ years of communications or other relevant experience, including advertising. Experience in corporate communications, PR, or investor relations preferred — especially within pharmaceutical or biotechnology sectors. Familiarity with at least one of the following therapeutic areas is helpful but not required: oncology, immunology, cardiometabolic/obesity, rare disease, neuroscience. An ability to stretch in scale and scope to address evolving business needs while being agile and able to meet quick timelines is critical. Group Director, Scientific Communications, will work closely with IC account leads or on their own to develop effective communications strategies and materials that are grounded in sound scientific expertise and counsel and that build value for a client’s unique scientific approach and product offerings. Candidate will ensure that all scientific communications materials are client-ready and enable delivery of exceptional client service to support the overall health of the client relationship. The Group Director, Scientific Communications, will also be responsible for contributing to the IC growth goals through organic or net new growth via new business, in partnership with other senior leaders. This person should be comfortable presenting in new business pitches, owning scientific content, contributing to tactical ideation and able to answer client questions effectively about scientific details.

Requirements

Advanced degree in a life sciences discipline (MD, PhD) or clinical training (PharmD, MD, NP, PA)
5+ years of communications or other relevant experience, including advertising
Experience in corporate communications, PR, or investor relations preferred — especially within pharmaceutical or biotechnology sectors
Familiarity with at least one of the following therapeutic areas is helpful but not required: oncology, immunology, cardiometabolic/obesity, rare disease, neuroscience
An ability to stretch in scale and scope to address evolving business needs while being agile and able to meet quick timelines is critical

Nice To Haves

Experience in corporate communications, PR, or investor relations preferred — especially within pharmaceutical or biotechnology sectors
Familiarity with at least one of the following therapeutic areas is helpful but not required: oncology, immunology, cardiometabolic/obesity, rare disease, neuroscience

Responsibilities

Delivery of core scientific communications projects and deliverables
Responsible and accountable for translating complex data and science into clear, compelling narratives, communications and storytelling that resonate across audiences
These audiences may include industry, investor, HCP, patient, advocacy, etc.; Group Director, Scientific Communications, must be able to understand and effectively educated and engage audiences with varying degrees of scientific literacy
Deliverables may include but are not limited to: Data and medical meeting communications materials (e.g., press releases, backgrounders, Q&A documents, scientific focused social content, investor presentations, C-suite/executive talking points), Clinical trial materials that support recruitment efforts with compelling call-to-action, Campaign/program messaging that differentiates a scientific approach or a unique product offering, or scientifically focused messaging platforms that deliver on key business objectives
Project management: Owns deliverables end-to-end, clarifying scope, managing version control, and flex role (writer, SME, content reviewer) based on project and need
Ensures projects delivered on time, on budget and able to contribute to pricing / scope development
Manages multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously, triaging requests based on urgency, impact, and client expectations
Scientific strategy and counsel: Serves as strategic scientific communications partner and go-to for day-to-day and senior level clients across multiple workstreams
Brings a strong understanding of key audiences to strategically guide clients on approaches and resonant messaging
Reviews team-generated deliverables for scientific accuracy and clarity and guides the team with an understanding of the broader scientific strategy
Collaborates cross-functionally with colleagues across IC, building rapport and initiating direct conversations for project and message alignment and efficiencies
Continuously learns and stays curious: shows resourcefulness and independently researches therapeutic areas, client positioning, and scientific strategy to strengthen content relevance and accuracy
Demonstrates flexible problem-solving and strategic judgment to balance scientific rigor with pragmatic execution.
Delivers counsel and strategic guidance to clients on scientific communications strategy
Partners well with other IC leaders/team leads and other Real Chemistry capability area leads to create impactful solutions and drive excellence in integrated work; in particular, this role will work collaboratively with the Real Chemistry Medical Communications capability and team members to deliver strong scientific communications work across clients
Is comfortable countering client request with additional considerations that are strategic and support broader business goals
Understands how to deploy active listening to anticipate client needs and proactively offer suggestions/input
Accountable for delivery of strategic / creative client programming
Creates clear slides that deliver strategy and interesting tactical ideas
Incorporates analytics, activation, creative and other integrated capabilities seamlessly
Effectively partners with teams as needed to deliver on high priority client deliverables
Strong people and team leader invested in development and growth of team members
Leads by example and enrolls team members in understanding the science in ways that contribute to the success of the business, the account and their careers at RC
Responsible for building and contributing to a team culture of collaboration, support and inclusivity, while ensuring team is productive and efficient and providing clear direction for effective implementation of work
May directly manage next tier of scientific communications team members (i.e., Directors or Managers of Scientific Communications, etc.), including managing day-to-day prioritization and workload, career path guidance, mentoring, recommendations for promotions, learning and development, providing clear and direct feedback and mentoring
Ensures any direct reports are properly staffed to ensure billability, earning and growth opportunities
Key role in new business opportunities, growth
Critical member of organic growth for existing clients and growth via new business efforts
Conducts scientific / medical research to support clear understanding of new mechanisms, clinical programs, competitive positioning, patient need, etc.
Able to create tactics and programming to sell in new ideas/offerings for existing clients or for a potential new client
Understands RC capabilities and able to identify opportunities to bring other cross-functional leaders