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Director Medical Communications Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Director, Medical Communications

Cary, NC · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

* Lead strategic Medical Communications within the Therapeutic Area Medical Unit model * Develop and execute integrated medical communication strategies across commercial products and pipeline programs

$125 - $155/hr

Join a collaborative, high-performing medical communications team where your scientific expertise ... The primary responsibility of the Scientific Director (SD) is to ensure that all content developed ...

$186 - $279/hr

Integrated Medical Communications Planning (IMCP) * Leadership Lead cross‑functional team for assigned asset/therapeutic area deliverables. * Lead the execution of Medical Communication Plans ...

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Director Medical Communications information

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$35K

$102.3K

$170K

How much do director medical communications jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for director medical communications in the United States is $102,257.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,000.00 and $126,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of medical communications do?

A Director of Medical Communications oversees the development and dissemination of scientific and medical information for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or healthcare organizations. They lead teams that create educational materials, publications, and communications strategies targeted at healthcare professionals, patients, or regulatory agencies. Their responsibilities include ensuring accuracy, compliance with regulations, and alignment with company objectives. They often collaborate with medical experts, marketing teams, and regulatory affairs to ensure clear and effective messaging.

How does a director of medical communications typically collaborate with cross-functional teams within a pharmaceutical company?

Directors of Medical Communications frequently work with teams such as Medical Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Development, and Marketing to ensure that all scientific materials are accurate, compliant, and aligned with company strategy. They often lead or join project meetings, coordinate the review and approval process for scientific content, and provide guidance to ensure consistency across communications. This collaborative approach helps ensure that messaging is scientifically robust and meets both regulatory requirements and the needs of healthcare professionals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of medical communications, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Medical Communications, you need a strong background in life sciences or healthcare, advanced writing and editorial skills, and experience managing medical communications teams, often supported by an advanced degree (PhD, PharmD, or MD). Familiarity with publication planning tools, reference management software, and regulatory guidelines is essential, and certifications like CMPP (Certified Medical Publication Professional) are advantageous. Outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to communicate complex scientific information clearly are crucial soft skills. These skills ensure accurate, effective dissemination of medical information and successful leadership of communication strategies across diverse stakeholders.

What is the difference between Director Medical Communications vs Medical Communications Manager?

AspectDirector Medical CommunicationsMedical Communications Manager
Required CredentialsTypically advanced degrees (MD, PhD, PharmD), extensive experience in medical writing and communicationSimilar credentials, often with a focus on medical writing and project management
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, oversees strategic communication plans, interacts with senior stakeholdersManages medical writing projects, supports communication activities, reports to directors
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare companies, agenciesSame industries, often within larger medical communications teams
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles, strategic responsibilitiesFocus on project management, medical writing, and team support

The main difference between a Director Medical Communications and a Medical Communications Manager lies in their level of responsibility and scope. Directors typically oversee strategic planning and team leadership, while Managers focus on project execution and supporting medical communication activities within the organization.

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What cities are hiring for Director Medical Communications jobs?

Cities with the most Director Medical Communications job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Medical Communications jobs?

The most popular types of Medical Communications jobs are:

What states have the most Director Medical Communications jobs?

States with the most job openings for Director Medical Communications jobs include:

Infographic showing various Director Medical Communications job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,257 per year, or $49.2 per hour.

Director, Medical Communications

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

About Summit:
Summit Therapeutics Inc. is a biopharmaceutical oncology company with a mission focused on improving quality of life, increasing potential duration of life, and resolving serious unmet medical needs. At Summit, we believe in building a team of world class professionals who are passionate about this mission, and it is our people who drive this mission to reality. Summit's core values include integrity, passion for excellence, purposeful urgency, collaboration, and our commitment to people. Our employees are truly the heart and soul of our culture, and they are invaluable in shaping our journey toward excellence.
Summit's team is inspired to touch and help change lives through Summit's clinical studies in the field of oncology. Summit has multiple global Phase 3 clinical studies, including:
Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
  • HARMONi: Phase 3 clinical study which was intended to evaluate ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who were previously treated with a 3rd generation EGFR TKI.
  • HARMONi-3: Phase 3 clinical study which is intended to evaluate ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic NSCLC.
  • HARMONi-7: Phase 3 clinical study which is intended to evaluate ivonescimab monotherapy compared to pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic NSCLC.

Colorectal Cancer (CRC)
  • HARMONi-GI3: Phase 3 clinical study intended to evaluate ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy compared with bevacizumab plus chemotherapy.

Ivonescimab is an investigational therapy not presently approved by any regulatory authority other than China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). Summit is headquartered in Miami, Florida, and has additional offices in California, New Jersey, the UK, and Ireland.
Overview of Role:
Director, Medical Communications will lead the development and execution of a comprehensive medical communications strategy, ensuring alignment across internal and external stakeholders for ivonescimab with focus on NSCLC, CRC, and other solid tumors. This role will oversee and manage scientific communications platforms and contribute to medical content supporting the organization's medical and scientific engagement efforts.
This is an onsite role based in Palo Alto, CA. This position will report to the Senior Director, Medical Communications and Information.
Role and Responsibilities:
  • Design, implement, and maintain global medical communications strategy supporting product launches, lifecycle management, and scientific engagement ensuring consistency, clarity, and scientific rigor across all external and internal communications.
  • Create the scientific communications platform and core scientific narratives to guide consistent, high impact messaging.
  • Oversee development of scientifically accurate medical content across education programs, training materials, digital channels, symposia, RMSD tools, and congresses.
  • Ensure consistency and alignment of medical messaging across all communication channels and materials.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Medical Affairs (e.g., Field Medical (RMSDs), Patient Advocacy, Training, Medical Information and Medical Education), Regulatory, Clinical Development, and Commercial partners across the organization to ensure alignment and accuracy in messaging and to ensure a cohesive medical communications and engagement strategy.
  • Partner with external agencies, key opinion leaders, and scientific experts to strengthen relevance and impact.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop medical writers and communication specialists, driving quality, compliance, and timely delivery.
  • Manage and support centralized reference library for scientific decks, field medical materials (RMSD tools), medical booth content, infographics, videos, and other external engagement materials.
  • Drive scientific congress planning and execution, including coordination of symposia, abstracts/posters and presentations.
  • Identify opportunities to amplify scientific presence at major oncology congresses.
  • All other duties as assigned

Experience, Education and Specialized Knowledge and Skills:
  • Advanced scientific or medical degree (PhD, PharmD, MD) with 8+ years of experience in Medical Affairs, Medical Communications within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry; MS or equivalent experience in biomedical sciences or related field considered.
  • Experience in oncology, specifically NSCLC and CRC.
  • Deep understanding of industry guidelines, and best practices (PhRMA Code, GPP 2022, FDA, OIG, AdvaMed, Sunshine Act).
  • Proven ability to develop and execute medical communication strategies aligned with company and scientific priorities.
  • Familiarity with clinical development and real-world evidence (RWE) and how these influence scientific communication strategies.
  • Ability to manage external agency relationships, medical writers, and vendors to ensure quality and compliance in content development.
  • Ability to translate complex scientific data into clear, engaging, and compliant communications for different stakeholders.
  • Ability to work in fast-paced, matrixed environments and lead cross-functional initiatives.
  • Strong project management skills to oversee multiple priorities, timelines, and stakeholders effectively.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills to engage internal and external stakeholders effectively.

This is the pay for this position
Pay Transparency
$203,000-$253,000 USD
Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, certifications, and specific work location. This may be different in other locations due to differences in the cost of labor. The total compensation package for this position may also include bonus, stock, benefits and/or other applicable variable compensation.
Summit does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact Summit's Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@smmttx.com to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to Summit.
Summit Therapeutics Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and takes pride in creating and maintaining diverse environment. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training or promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.