ICON plc is a global contract research organisation serving the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Its work spans clinical, consulting, and commercial services that support drug development from early research through post-marketing activities. The company provides solutions including decentralised clinical trials, cardiac safety, early clinical laboratories, medical imaging, regulatory intelligence, and real-world evidence. ICON plc also brings therapeutic expertise to areas such as cardiovascular disease, oncology, internal medicine, cell and gene therapies, and biosimilars, combining data analysis with patient-focused approaches to help advance clinical programmes.
Senior Publications and Scientific Communications Lead
Lead publication strategy, scientific communications, and clinical research deliverables for ICON’s sponsor-dedicated pharmaceutical programs. Coordinate authors, agencies, budgets, and publication schedules.
Description
- Support sponsor-dedicated programs with ICON’s global expertise.
- Manage the scientific work of clinical research projects, maintaining scientific quality and operational efficiency.
- Oversee scientific operations workstreams and deliverables to meet quality standards and timelines.
- Develop and implement publication strategies and plans for portfolio assets and products.
- Create publications that support company assets and products and provide disease education.
- Contribute to disease and product scientific platforms and statements.
- Lead discussions with external authors and collaborators across Medical Affairs, Drug Development, and Drug Discovery.
- Coordinate external agencies and freelancers handling writing, editing, and formatting.
- Manage publication reviews with authors and reviewers, including external authors.
- Track and report publication progress using appropriate software.
- Write, edit, and format primary manuscripts, congress abstracts, slide presentations, and posters.
- Plan budgets and milestones.
- Apply authorship guidelines and good publication practices.
- Ensure publication work follows company policies, procedures, and good publication practices.
- Help maintain and roll out departmental policies.
- Travel less than 10%, primarily in the U.S. and Europe for conferences.
Requirements
- Advanced degree in a scientific field, such as a PhD or PharmD.
- At least five years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry or medical communications.
- Exceptional project management skills.
- Experience leading publication strategy and planning and developing scientific content.
- Ability to plan, prioritize, and deliver multiple projects simultaneously.
- Understanding of clinical development, particularly clinical study data and outcomes.
- Ability to critically assess and apply findings from medical and scientific literature.
- Strong attention to detail and scientific rigor.
- Strong interpersonal and professional communication skills to build relationships with internal and external groups.
- Leadership and cross-functional stakeholder management skills to advance business priorities.
- Ability to communicate complex medical and scientific information and contribute to medical strategy.
- Ability to meet urgent timelines.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Working knowledge of software used for publication planning and implementation.
- Oncology and/or dermatology experience is a plus.
- Legal right to work in the country where the role is based.
Benefits
- Base salary and performance-related incentives.
- Health and wellbeing programs, including medical, dental, and vision coverage where applicable.
- Retirement and pension plans.
- Life assurance and disability coverage.
- Employee assistance programs and wellbeing resources.
- Learning and development through structured training and career pathways.