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Senior Director Medical Writing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Alkermes

Associate Director, Medical Writing

Waltham, MA · On-site

$175K - $190K/yr

The Associate Director, Medical Writing provides strategic and operational leadership for medical writing activities across one or more clinical development programs. This role combines hands-on ...

Alkermes

Associate Director, Medical Writing

Waltham, MA · Hybrid

$175K - $190K/yr

The Associate Director, Medical Writing provides strategic and operational leadership for medical writing activities across one or more clinical development programs. This role combines hands-on ...

Argenx

Associate Director, Medical Writing

OR · Remote

$164K - $225K/yr

For the expansion of our team, argenx is looking for an Associate Director of Medical Writing to contribute to the development of complex clinical, nonclinical, and safety documents for regulatory ...

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Senior Director Medical Writing information

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$39.5K

$142.9K

$279.5K

How much do senior director medical writing jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior director medical writing in the United States is $142,920.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,500.00 and $161,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest salary for a medical writer?

The highest salary for a senior medical writer can exceed $150,000 annually, especially for those with extensive experience, specialized knowledge, or leadership roles in pharmaceutical or biotech companies. Salaries vary based on location, industry, and level of expertise, with top earners often holding advanced certifications and managing complex projects.

What does a Senior Director of Medical Writing do?

A Senior Director of Medical Writing leads teams responsible for creating, reviewing, and managing scientific documents required for regulatory submissions, publications, and internal communications in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry. They oversee the development of clinical study reports, regulatory dossiers, and other scientific materials, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and clarity. Additionally, they collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, such as clinical, regulatory, and safety groups, to ensure that all documents meet industry standards and regulatory requirements. Their role also involves strategic planning, resource management, and mentoring junior writers.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior Directors of Medical Writing in managing cross-functional teams?

Senior Directors of Medical Writing often oversee teams that collaborate closely with clinical, regulatory, and scientific departments. One common challenge is aligning diverse stakeholder expectations and ensuring consistency in messaging across complex documents. Balancing tight regulatory timelines with high-quality deliverables, while mentoring and developing a team of writers, also requires strong organizational and communication skills. Successful directors foster open communication, set clear priorities, and adapt to shifting project requirements to keep teams productive and motivated.

What is the difference between Senior Director Medical Writing vs Medical Writer?

AspectSenior Director Medical WritingMedical Writer
CredentialsAdvanced degrees (MD, PhD, PharmD), extensive experienceBachelor's or Master's in life sciences, relevant writing experience
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles, strategic planning, cross-functional teamsHands-on writing, editing, and document preparation
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceutical, biotech, regulatory agenciesPharmaceutical, biotech, medical communications
Search & Comparison IntentLeadership, strategic, senior rolesWriting, documentation, regulatory submissions

The Senior Director Medical Writing typically holds advanced degrees and extensive experience, focusing on strategic leadership and overseeing medical writing teams. In contrast, Medical Writers are primarily responsible for creating and editing scientific documents. The senior role involves higher-level management and strategic planning, while Medical Writers focus on producing accurate, compliant documentation.

How much do senior medical writers make in the US?

Senior medical writers in the US typically earn between $90,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry sector. They often possess strong scientific writing skills, familiarity with regulatory guidelines, and may hold advanced degrees or certifications.

What does a director of medical writing do?

A senior director of medical writing oversees the creation and review of scientific documents such as clinical study reports, regulatory submissions, and publication materials. They ensure that medical content complies with regulatory standards, is scientifically accurate, and aligns with project timelines, often managing teams of medical writers and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Is there a demand for medical writers?

There is strong demand for medical writers, especially for senior roles like Senior Director Medical Writing, due to the need for clear, accurate scientific communication in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. The growth of clinical research, regulatory submissions, and medical education drives ongoing hiring in this field, with many companies seeking experienced professionals skilled in regulatory writing, medical editing, and compliance. Advanced degrees and familiarity with industry tools such as document management systems are often required.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Director Medical Writing, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Director Medical Writing, you need deep expertise in scientific writing, regulatory requirements, and leadership, typically supported by an advanced degree in life sciences and extensive medical writing experience. Familiarity with document management systems, regulatory submission platforms, and guidelines such as ICH and FDA is essential. Exceptional communication, project management, and mentoring skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are crucial for ensuring the accuracy, compliance, and strategic impact of medical documents within fast-paced pharmaceutical environments.
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Senior Director Medical Writing jobs near you

Associate Director, Medical Writing

Meet Life Sciences

San Francisco, CA • Hybrid

Other

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

Associate Director, Medical Writing

Location: Hybrid 4 days/week in South San Francisco, CA (2 remote flex days per month!)

  • Relocation Assistance Available


About the Opportunity

Our client is seeking an experienced Associate Director, Medical Writing to provide strategic leadership and functional oversight for the development of high-quality clinical and regulatory documents. This individual will serve as a key cross-functional partner, driving document strategy, authoring, review management, and process improvements across clinical development programs.


Key Responsibilities

Medical Writing Leadership & Document Development

  • Provide medical writing leadership across multiple clinical development programs.
  • Serve as the primary author and/or lead reviewer for key clinical and regulatory documents, including:
  • Clinical Study Protocols and protocol-related documents
  • Informed Consent Forms (ICFs)
  • Clinical Study Reports (CSRs)
  • Development Safety Update Reports (DSURs)
  • Investigator’s Brochures (IBs)
  • IND clinical summaries and overviews
  • CTD Module 2 clinical summaries
  • Partner closely with Clinical Science, Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics, and other cross-functional stakeholders to ensure high-quality, submission-ready documentation.
  • Support preparation of health authority meeting requests, briefing documents, responses to regulatory inquiries, and additional submission-related documentation.

Vendor & Project Management

  • Manage and oversee external medical writing resources and vendors.
  • Provide direction on document strategy, timelines, content development, and prioritization.
  • Drive efficient document planning and execution to support clinical and regulatory milestones.

Process Excellence & Continuous Improvement

  • Establish and maintain medical writing standards, templates, style guides, and best practices.
  • Collaborate with Quality Assurance and cross-functional teams to develop and update SOPs and document development processes.
  • Ensure compliance with global regulatory requirements and industry standards, including ICH guidelines and applicable health authority expectations.


Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Life Sciences or a related scientific discipline required; PharmD or PhD preferred.
  • 8+ years of medical writing experience within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or CRO environments.
  • Extensive experience authoring and leading the development of clinical and regulatory documents.
  • Strong knowledge of global regulatory requirements and guidance, including FDA, EMA, ICH, Health Canada, and other international regulations.
  • Experience supporting investigator-sponsored studies and clinical development programs.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, document management systems, and collaborative review platforms.
  • Experience managing external vendors and contract resources.


Please apply for the full job description and company information!

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