FSP Functional Lead, Medical Writing

Work Schedule

Environmental Conditions

Job Description

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll do meaningful work that has a positive impact on a global scale. Through our PPD clinical research portfolio, we help customers bring our Mission to life – enabling them to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.

Our clinical research teams work across more than 100 countries, supporting the development and delivery of life-changing therapies through innovative clinical research solutions.

We are looking for an experienced FSP Functional Lead, Medical Writing to provide strategic leadership and oversight of our Medical Writing Functional Service Partnership (FSP) portfolio.

This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for setting the strategic direction of the Medical Writing FSP function, building high-performing teams and developing strong partnerships with clients and colleagues across the organisation. You will combine deep medical writing expertise with commercial awareness and people leadership to support growth, operational excellence and the continued development of our global Medical Writing capability.

Key responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Provide strategic and programme-level leadership across one or more Medical Writing FSP groups, establishing and communicating clear priorities and direction.
• Lead, develop and inspire high-performing teams, with responsibility for recruitment, performance management, coaching, mentoring and colleague development.
• Develop an effective organisational structure that supports business priorities, client requirements and future growth.
• Lead changes to departmental scope, processes and operating models, ensuring alignment with the wider strategic direction of the organisation.
• Develop and oversee departmental budgets, resource planning, capacity forecasting and workload management.
• Champion the needs and capabilities of Medical Writing across the organisation and ensure the function has strong visibility with senior stakeholders.
• Build effective relationships across PPD functions, identifying opportunities for collaboration with colleagues in areas including Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics, Pharmacovigilance, Pharmacokinetics and Phase I Medical Writing.
• Anticipate changing business, regulatory and client requirements and lead the function effectively through change.
• Identify and develop innovative approaches that strengthen Medical Writing capabilities, processes and service delivery.
• Identify opportunities for new Medical Writing projects, partnerships and business growth.
• Partner with Business Development and senior leadership to secure new business, including participating in client presentations, proposal development, budget preparation and contract negotiations.
• Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders and provide leadership in resolving complex client and operational matters.
• Identify, manage and escalate significant programme or project risks and issues, providing clear recommendations and updates to senior leadership.
• Represent and promote the Medical Writing function internally and externally, strengthening its reputation as a strategic partner to clients.

About you

You will be an established Medical Writing leader with extensive experience gained within clinical research, the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry, a CRO or a comparable regulated environment.

You will bring:

• Substantial relevant industry experience, typically gained over 15+ years, or an equivalent combination of education, training and professional experience.
• Significant people leadership experience, typically 7+ years in management or leadership roles.
• Demonstrable experience leading senior, geographically dispersed and/or client-dedicated teams.
• Extensive knowledge of global and regional medical writing and regulatory requirements across clinical development, marketing authorisation and post-authorisation/late-phase activities.
• Broad understanding of the product development lifecycle and the role of Medical Writing within it.
• Strong strategic leadership skills, with the ability to translate organisational priorities into clear functional plans and deliverables.
• Excellent people leadership capabilities, including performance management, coaching, mentoring, talent development and organisational design.
• Strong programme and project management skills, including resource planning, budgeting, forecasting, prioritisation and risk management.
• Commercial awareness and experience contributing to business development, proposals, client presentations and/or contract discussions.
• A track record of developing effective cross-functional partnerships and influencing stakeholders at senior levels.
• The ability to lead through change, anticipate resistance and influence effectively without direct authority.
• A continuous improvement mindset, with evidence of introducing new ideas, processes or approaches that improve quality, efficiency or client outcomes.
• Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills, with the confidence to engage effectively with clients, senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong judgement, problem-solving and decision-making skills, combined with a proactive and adaptable approach.

Why join us?

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll be part of a global organisation united by a shared purpose and a commitment to scientific excellence.

You’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of our Medical Writing FSP capability, develop talented teams and work in partnership with leading organisations across the life sciences industry.

We offer an environment where collaboration, innovation and professional development are encouraged, and where your expertise can contribute directly to improving health outcomes for patients around the world.

Join us and help our customers deliver the therapies of tomorrow.