We are one of the largest global networks in healthcare communications – provides strategic, integrated communication solutions for our clients, including many of the biggest names in the pharmaceutical, healthcare and medical device industries. In the UK, we comprise of over 170 healthcare communication specialists across medical education, medical communications, advertising, digital, public relations, and market access.
In medical education, our approach is founded on expertise that combines biomedical science, learning theory and behaviour change to create impactful medical and professional education. We’re ‘Scientifically Grounded, Creatively Driven’.
What we can offer:
- An exciting and supportive working environment, highly creative and committed colleagues, and a culture that openly encourages new and creative thinking from employees at all levels
- The opportunity to work across multiple disciplines in addition to medical education, including promotional, digital, and market access
- Unrivalled opportunities for training and personal and professional development due to the depth and variety of expertise within the group.
The job purpose:
To work with account leads (scientific and client services) to support the development of publication plans and delivery of publications, including client and author liaison.
Reporting Structure:
Reporting to an Account Director or Scientific Services Team Lead
The core role:
The Publications Manager will be a lynchpin of the publications team, helping to track, coordinate and strengthen account activity and efficiency internally, as well as liaising with clients and authors externally.
- Proactive management of the day-to-day development of publications to ensure delivery on-time, in line with quality standards and client objectives
- Maintain regular client contact (by email, teleconference and occasional F2F meeting) and ensure updates or changes are communicated promptly, coordinating advice when appropriate
- Update status and tracking tools – status reports, congress and journal databases
- Act as an internal advocate for the client publications database; provide training to internal colleagues in their use and importance
- Manage author contact, review, and approval processes for publication materials
- Manage author teleconferences – sending invitations, organising logistical aspects, coordinating author agreements etc.
- Provide support to the Scientific Services team in the publication planning tasks such as development of gap analysis, competitor landscape surveys etc.
- Prioritise, delegate and, when appropriate, brief tasks to other team members, in consultation with the scientific and client services leads
- Input into the development of team SOPs
- Manage tasks lists, including for freelancers when relevant
- Highlight resource needs or surpluses
- Maintain and implement own and team awareness of relevant codes of practice (GPP, client SOPs)
- Maintain awareness of account finances and impact on project delivery
- Input into the development of budgets for publication deliverables
- Ensures own and team time is logged in accordance with agreed budgets and time allocation
- Monitor scope and actively manage out of rescopes with clients
Performance measures:
- Account delivery of consistently high-quality publications that meet client brief, timeline and budget through effective use of account resource and own expertise
- Demonstrate effective project and client management behaviours, both individually and in partnership with senior team members on assigned accounts
- Demonstrate a proactive approach to problem solving, measured by timely delivery to client deadlines
Requirements
- Degree or higher qualification in biomedical science
- Medical communications experience within a healthcare/medcomms agency
- Familiarity with types of scientific publication – primary manuscripts, secondary manuscripts, abstracts, posters, oral presentations, etc
- Familiarity with Good Publication Practice (GPP3) and International Committee of Medical Journal Editor (ICMJE) guidelines; CMPP qualification beneficial but not required
- Familiarity with Datavision or comparable publications planning software
- Strong account management and organisational skills, including familiarity with production and printing processes and cost estimates
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with internal and external (client, KOL) project stakeholders
- Thorough, methodical approach and a high level of attention to detail
- Good writing skills and understanding of English grammar; ability to tailor communications to specific audiences.
- Thorough, methodical approach and a high level of attention to detail
- Understanding of the importance of compliance in a highly regulated industry; high standard of personal integrity and commitment to transparency
- Ability to work well in a deadline-driven, high-pressure environment
Benefits
Foundations
- Private Medical Cover/Leisure Allowance/Dental Cover
- Life Assurance
- Income Protection Insurance
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP, provided by LifeWorks)
- Pension Scheme
- Free Eye Tests and Contribution to Corrective Devices
- Enhanced Maternity/Adoption Pay (EMP or EADP)
- Enhanced Paternity Pay (EPP)
- Government Provided Tax-Free Childcare
- Recruitment Bounty for Permanent UK Hires
- WPP Worldwide Ownership Plan
- Season Ticket Loans
- Dexters Property Rental Assistance
- Group Discounts
- Enhanced Sick Leave
- Cycle-To-Work Scheme
Growth
- Performance Development
- L&D Academy
- Professional Coaching
- Wellness Lab
- Bonus.ly
Time
- 25 Days Holiday Entitlement
- Flexible Working Hours
- Birthday Day
- Sabbatical Policy
- Additional Leave (unpaid)
- Additional Discretionary Leave in December
- Bank Holidays
- Time Off in Lieu Policy
- Volunteer Day
Leisure
- LifeWorks Perks
- Parties
- Social Committee Calendar
- Free Weekly Bar Night (London)
- Free Weekly Breakfast (Oxford)