Business Unit Leader - Medical Communications

Summary

Join Avalere Health as a Business Unit Leader and play a pivotal role in a high-science medical communications capability, providing strategic oversight and delivery excellence across multiple complex healthcare accounts. You will partner with pharmaceutical and biotech clients to develop and implement scientific communication programs supporting product development, launch, and lifecycle management. This role demands deep scientific literacy, strong commercial acumen, and exceptional client service. The position is ideally based on the East Coast but may consider other US locations. You will lead and mentor a team, drive business growth, and manage projects with a budget upwards of approximately $13M. Avalere offers a flexible work environment, competitive benefits, and professional development opportunities.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in medical communications, with at least 5 years in a senior account leadership or senior scientific leadership role
• Demonstrated success managing large global accounts in high science areas (e.g., oncology, immunotherapy, CNS)
• In-depth understanding of the pharmaceutical product lifecycle and regulatory environment
• Proven track record of managing publication planning, scientific symposia, advisory boards, and digital scientific engagement initiatives
• Exceptional client relationship skills and strategic thinking
• Strong financial management and team leadership skills
• Excellent business development and growth skills

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior strategic partner to global and regional clients across therapy areas such as and including oncology, immunology, neurology, or rare diseases
• Understand complex scientific data, clinical development stages, and medical education objectives to guide the development of content and strategy
• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with clients
• Lead strategic planning for accounts, including publication planning, congress activities, advisory boards, internal training, and medical education initiatives
• Partner closely with scientific teams to ensure content accuracy, compliance with regulatory requirements (e.g., GPP3, ICMJE, ABPI), and alignment with client goals
• Stay informed on therapeutic landscapes, competitor activity, and emerging science to advise clients proactively
• Manage and mentor a team of account directors, managers, and executives, fostering a culture of scientific curiosity, excellence, and collaboration
• Ensure seamless cross-functional integration with scientific services, editorial, creative, and digital teams
• Support recruitment, performance management, and professional development initiatives
• Drive organic growth by identifying new opportunities within existing accounts (e.g., new indications, geographies, or services)
• Collaborate with business development on new business pitches, contributing to strategy, capabilities presentation, and proposal development
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial management across accounts, ensuring profitability and resource efficiency
• Manage upwards of approximately 13M in business
• Oversee timelines, scopes of work, and deliverables across multiple projects, ensuring quality and consistency
• Anticipate and mitigate risks related to delivery, compliance, or client satisfaction
• Champion quality assurance processes and uphold scientific and editorial standards

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in life sciences (PhD, PharmD, or MSc preferred)
• Familiarity with guidelines such as GPP, ICMJE, ABPI, and industry codes of conduct
• Experience working with global cross-functional teams and clients
• Comfortable navigating scientific discussions and collaborating closely with medical writers and scientific strategists

Benefits

• You will receive a 401K plan with an employer match contribution up to 4% (immediately vested), as well as life insurance, disability coverage, and medical, dental, and vision plans for peace of mind
• Enjoy flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and remote work, along with the option to work from anywhere across the globe two weeks each year
• We provide 20 vacation days plus one personal well-being day, recognise 9 public holidays, along with gifted end-of-year holidays and an early Summer Friday finish in June, July, and August
• Access free counselling through our employee assistance program and personalized health support
• Our enhanced maternity, paternity, family leave, and fertility policies provide support across every stage of your family-planning journey
• You can also benefit from continuous opportunities to professionally develop with on-demand training, support, and global mobility opportunities across the business