Senior Scientific Director

Cactus Communications Services Pte. Ltd. • Woodbridge Township, NJ

1d • Remote

About The Position

Cactus Life Sciences partners with the global biopharma industry to drive innovation and elevate patient outcomes through agile, science-driven medical communications. We transform complex data into actionable insights, bridging the critical gaps between research, decision-making, and real-world healthcare impact. As a growing scientific communications agency, we are seeking a self-motivated, strategy-oriented Senior Scientific Director to add to our scientific services team. This is a fully remote position within the US, with a preference for candidates who can align with East Coast working hours. The role also involves periodic travel to client locations and meetings as required.

Requirements

• MD, PhD, PharmD, or equivalent advanced degree required.
• 7–10 years of medical communications, medical affairs, or pharmaceutical industry experience, including demonstrated success at Scientific Director level or equivalent.
• Integrated scientific communications experience, with demonstrated success across both medical communications and publications accounts.
• Proven strategic capability — developing scientific and account strategy and translating it into organic account growth in partnership with commercial/account leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to build, sustain, and leverage senior client and KOL relationships over time.
• Demonstrated expertise developing and executing deliverables for both investigational and mature products, with experience across several therapy areas preferred.
• Experience acting as scientific lead on client pitches and business development.
• Strong attention to detail and editorial skills, with the ability to provide quality oversight of others’ work.
• Willingness and ability to mentor and develop team members, and to build and lead a team over time.
• Understanding of AI applications in medical communications and emerging healthcare technologies.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing congress support and conducting/facilitating advisory board meetings a plus.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Account Director to shape and drive organic growth plans for key accounts, translating scientific insight and evolving client priorities into forward-looking growth opportunities.
• Bring strategic thinking to account planning — anticipating client and therapeutic-area needs and proactively identifying where Cactus Life Sciences can add scientific value.
• Develop and execute scientific communications strategy, including scientific communications platforms, communications plans, KOL engagement plans, and integrated evidence generation and publication planning approaches aligned to client medical affairs objectives.
• Serve as the scientific lead on client pitches and business development activities, including RFPs/RFIs and new opportunity development.
• Drive the integration of AI and emerging approaches into scientific strategy and delivery for client accounts.
• Develop deep, trusted relationships with key customers, acting as a senior scientific point of contact across assigned accounts.
• Cultivate and leverage these relationships over time to build client confidence, anticipate needs, and support sustained, organic account growth.
• Act as a trusted scientific advisor, bringing credibility and continuity to long-term client partnerships.
• Ensure compliance and consistency with client SOPs, messaging, and scientific communications objectives, and lead the resolution of client concerns.
• Oversee and be accountable for the scientific quality of deliverables developed across assigned accounts, including publications, medical communications tactics, congress materials, and MSL field materials.
• Provide high-level scientific review to ensure strategic alignment, scientific accuracy, and regulatory compliance in deliverables sent to the client.
• Develop and execute both publications and medical communication tactics — manuscripts, abstracts, posters, review articles, symposia decks, literature searches, gap analyses, and strategic publication plans — for both investigational and mature products.
• Partner with in-house technology and creative teams to build innovative digital solutions for Medical Affairs and Scientific Communications clients.
• Train and mentor scientific writers and junior directors through detailed reviews and training sessions, contributing to the skill development of the wider scientific team.
• Model scientific rigor and editorial standards across the team.
• Build and lead a team as the role establishes, taking on direct reports and formal people-leadership responsibilities over time.

Benefits

• Annual leaves, public holidays, personal days, and a special day off for your birthday.
• Supportive leave options including maternity, paternity, and sabbatical opportunities.
• Comprehensive health coverage for you and your family, including dental and vision care.
• Holistic wellness supports access to medical, mental health, and specialist care.
• Financial security through life assurance and income protection.
• Retirement savings plan with employer contributions and flexible options.
• Company-provided mobile phone to keep you connected.
• Reimbursement for travel and business-related expenses.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree