Scientific Director

About Ogilvy Health

Ogilvy Health is one of the largest global networks in healthcare communications and provides strategic, integrated communication solutions for our clients, including many of the biggest names in the pharmaceutical industry. We are made up of healthcare communication specialists across the disciplines of medical education and communications; brain sciences; brand promotion; digital and social; strategic planning; public relations and creative/design. If you're eager to make a significant impact on a global scale within PMLive's #1 Creative Healthcare Agency of 2025 then apply today!

Job Title: Scientific Director (Publications) - Flagship Rare Disease Account
Location: London / Manchester UK (Hybrid) - speak to us about remote working (UK only)

Are you a scientific leader passionate about making a difference in the world of rare diseases? Do you thrive on building strategic client partnerships and mentoring a team to deliver exceptional scientific communications?

Ogilvy Health is seeking a Scientific Director to join our team and lead a cornerstone of our business, a Rare Disease portfolio. This is a senior-level opportunity placing you at the heart of a high value book of work for 2026.

About the Role

As Scientific Director, you will be more than just a team leader; you will be a vital strategic and scientific partner to our key clients. You will act as the central scientific consultant for our internal Medical Education and Communications teams, driving the scientific strategy and ensuring the flawless delivery of high-impact publications and medical education projects. Your leadership will be instrumental in the smooth running and continued success of this prestigious and growing account.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Client Counsel: Serve as the primary scientific advisor to our clients, providing strategic insights and fostering a true partnership based on trust and scientific expertise.

• Scientific Leadership: Lead and inspire our scientific services team, promoting excellence in writing and maintaining an outstanding understanding of complex therapeutic areas.

• Content Excellence: Champion the highest standards across all scientific content, from publications and medical affairs to promotional materials, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and strategic alignment.

• Team Mentorship: Drive efficient and effective working practices, mentoring your team to enhance their skills and ensure the seamless delivery of work.

• Expert Collaboration: Liaise with top-tier global clinicians and healthcare professionals, confidently discussing complex scientific data and treatment pathways.

What You'll Bring

We're looking for an individual with a unique blend of scientific acumen, strategic thinking, and leadership.

Essential Experience:

• A Life Sciences PhD.

• Demonstrable experience within a medical communications agency.

• An in-depth understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, including pre- and post-launch environments.

• Proven experience in rare diseases and/or neuroscience.

• Deep expertise across a broad range of therapy areas, with the ability to discuss complex scientific data with senior clients and global Key Opinion Leaders.

• A highly accomplished track record of delivering and leading a team to produce exceptional scientific content, particularly within publications and medical affairs.

• Thorough knowledge of medical education standards (including ABPI) and compliance guidelines (such as the Sunshine Act).

• A strong grasp of statistical analyses.

• Therapy area experience in immunotherapy, dermatology, or cardio-renal metabolic disease desirable

If you're eager to make a significant impact on a global scale within PMLive's #1 Creative Healthcare Agency of 2025 then apply today!

Benefits & Culture

At Ogilvy Health, you'll be part of a non-hierarchical, eclectic team united by a shared commitment to doing the best work of our lives (its one of our values!). Beyond client work, you'll have opportunities to engage with our vibrant culture and social teams, and contribute to our fantastic DEI initiatives, championing diversity across our agency and industry.

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:

• 25 days annual leave, with the option to purchase up to an extra 5 days per year, plus your birthday off and a paid volunteering day

• Generous enhanced parental leave policies

• A robust pension scheme (up to 17.5% total contributions after probation)

• Choice of Private Medical Cover (Bupa from day one), Dental cover, or a monthly £45 leisure allowance for your health & wellbeing

• A fantastic Employee Assistance Programme (Telus) offering support, advice, and specialist counselling

• Help at Hand: quick, free access to a remote GP, mental health support, physio, or a medical second opinion

• Free 1-2-1 Coaching through Thrive Partners for professional or personal growth

• A comprehensive Learning & Development programme to support your career trajectory

Our ambition is to attract the very best diverse talent to Ogilvy, and to be the employer of choice in the UK. We want everyone to feel welcome when they join us, and once they’re here, for them to want to stay with us, grow their career, and to feel they belong with us.

We are an equal opportunity employer and we’re committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for everyone who wants to work at Ogilvy. For us, diversity, equity and inclusion is integrated into everything that we do. We believe that for creativity to flourish, everything about how we work must have diversity at its core. Your race, colour, ethnic, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, have no bearing on our hiring decisions, but we encourage everyone to feel free to express their true selves in an environment we are consistently striving to make as inclusive as possible.

We aim to facilitate an accessible and positive application experience for all candidates. If you require any adjustments from us to support you through the process or expect to require any adjustments to working conditions to be able to best perform in the role, please let us know. We are happy to consider all reasonable adjustments.

If you live with a disability and you would like to take advantage of our offer of a guaranteed interview under the Disability Confident Scheme, please ensure you fill out our voluntary Equal Opportunities Questionnaire when applying.