Scientific Director (Medical Affairs)

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Scientific Director (Medical Affairs) based in Canada.

This leadership role offers the opportunity to shape scientific strategy and deliver high-impact medical communications within the life sciences sector.

You will guide scientific content development, advise clients, and ensure excellence across complex medical education and communication initiatives.

The position combines scientific expertise, strategic consulting, client engagement, and team leadership in a global, collaborative environment.

You will influence communication strategies that support healthcare innovation and improve the understanding of important scientific information.

Working with multidisciplinary teams, you will oversee content quality, mentor scientific professionals, and drive continuous improvement.

This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced medical communications leader who enjoys combining scientific rigor with strategic impact.

Accountabilities

The Scientific Director (Medical Affairs) will provide strategic scientific leadership across client accounts, ensuring the quality, accuracy, and effectiveness of medical communications programs. This role requires deep scientific expertise, strong client partnership skills, and the ability to lead teams while driving operational excellence.

• Lead scientific strategy for assigned accounts, including publication planning, medical communications initiatives, and scientific engagement programs.
• Act as a key scientific partner for clients, clinical stakeholders, and internal teams to align communication strategies with medical and business priorities.
• Establish and maintain scientific quality standards and best practices across projects and teams.
• Oversee the development and review of high-quality medical content, including manuscripts, congress materials, training resources, digital assets, and regulated communications.
• Conduct detailed scientific reviews to ensure accuracy, consistency, compliance, and alignment with industry standards and client requirements.
• Support medical, legal, and regulatory review processes, resolving scientific questions and ensuring successful submissions.
• Lead scientific discussions, workshops, advisory boards, and presentations with external stakeholders.
• Contribute scientific expertise to proposals, strategic planning, project scoping, and account growth initiatives.
• Manage and mentor scientific team members, including goal setting, performance feedback, and professional development planning.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflows, processes, documentation standards, and overall team efficiency.
• Anticipate project risks, develop mitigation strategies, and share therapeutic area insights to strengthen organizational knowledge.

Requirements

The ideal candidate is an experienced medical communications professional with strong scientific expertise, leadership capabilities, and a proven ability to manage complex client-facing initiatives. This role requires excellent writing skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to translate scientific data into clear and impactful communications.

• Advanced degree in a scientific or healthcare-related field preferred, such as MSc, PhD, PharmD, or MD.
• Candidates with relevant bachelor’s or master’s degrees combined with significant experience may also be considered.
• Approximately 5+ years of experience in medical communications, medical writing, or related scientific content fields.
• Experience leading multi-asset or multi-account projects and overseeing scientific teams.
• 1+ years of experience managing, mentoring, or coaching team members.
• Excellent scientific writing, editing, and data interpretation skills.
• Strong knowledge of medical publications standards, including relevant guidelines and industry best practices.
• Understanding of clinical research processes and regulatory environments.
• Experience supporting medical, legal, and regulatory review workflows.
• Strong client relationship management, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with excellent organization and time management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, collaboration platforms, and relevant content or design tools.
• Willingness to travel occasionally, including overnight travel up to approximately 20%.

Benefits

• Fully remote work opportunity available across Canada.
• Opportunity to lead impactful scientific communication initiatives within the life sciences industry.
• Exposure to global clients, healthcare innovations, and complex scientific topics.
• Leadership role with the ability to mentor teams and influence best practices.
• Collaborative environment focused on innovation, quality, and professional growth.
• Opportunities for career development and continuous learning.
• Chance to contribute to meaningful work that advances scientific knowledge and healthcare communication.