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Writing Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Director, Clinical Medical Writing

San Carlos, CA ยท On-site +1

$221K - $258K/yr

Vaxcyte is seeking a Director, Clinical Medical Writing to drive and shape the medical writing processes, procedures, strategies, and document generation and maintenance. This position will lead ...

The Associate Director, Medical Writing is responsible for oversight and authoring (if needed) of regulatory submissions (Common Technical Documents [CTD]), as well as other regulatory, clinical, and ...

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Writing Director information

See California salary details

$9

$33

$76

How much do writing director jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for writing director in California is $33.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.95 and $39.08 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a writing director?

To thrive as a Writing Director, you need advanced writing and editing skills, a strong command of language and storytelling, and typically a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, or a related field. Familiarity with content management systems (CMS), project management tools, and editing software is commonly required. Leadership, creative vision, and the ability to mentor and collaborate with writers are essential soft skills. These competencies ensure high-quality content, cohesive team performance, and effective communication of brand or organizational messages.

How to become a writing director?

To become a writing director, candidates typically need extensive experience in writing and editing, often starting in entry-level writing or editing roles. Developing strong leadership, project management skills, and a deep understanding of storytelling or content creation are essential, along with a portfolio demonstrating successful projects. Many writing directors also hold relevant degrees or certifications in writing, communications, or related fields.

What is the difference between Writing Director vs Content Manager?

AspectWriting DirectorContent Manager
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in English, Journalism, or related fields; extensive writing and leadership experienceOften requires a degree in Marketing, Communications, or related fields; experience in content strategy and management
Work EnvironmentCreative agencies, publishing houses, media companies, corporate communicationsDigital marketing firms, media companies, corporate websites, social media teams
Industry UsageUsed in organizations focusing on content creation, storytelling, and editorial directionUsed in organizations managing content production, distribution, and strategy

The main difference is that a Writing Director oversees the overall writing and editorial vision, focusing on high-level content strategy and leadership. In contrast, a Content Manager handles day-to-day content operations, scheduling, and distribution. Both roles require strong writing skills, but the Writing Director is more strategic and creative, while the Content Manager is more operational and tactical.

What is a writing director?

A Writing Director is a professional responsible for overseeing and guiding the writing process within an organization or production. They lead a team of writers, set the tone and style for written content, and ensure that all materials align with the project's objectives and standards. Writing Directors often work in fields such as film, television, publishing, or marketing, providing editorial direction, managing deadlines, and collaborating with other creative departments to deliver cohesive and high-quality content.

How does a writing director typically collaborate with other departments within an organization?

A Writing Director often works closely with teams such as marketing, design, product, and communications to ensure consistency and alignment in messaging across all platforms. They provide strategic direction, review content, and coordinate with stakeholders to meet organizational goals. This role frequently involves leading brainstorming sessions, setting editorial standards, and managing feedback to refine the overall voice and tone of the company. Effective collaboration is key to maintaining a unified brand narrative and achieving project milestones.

What are the most commonly searched types of Writing jobs in California?

The most popular types of Writing jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Writing Director jobs?

Cities in California with the most Writing Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Writing Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $70,656 per year, or $34 per hour.

Director, Medical Writing

Bridge Bio Oncology Therapeutics

South San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

$190K - $230K/yr

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

Description:

ABOUT BRIDGEBIO ONCOLOGY THERAPEUTICS

BBOT is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing a next-generation pipeline of novel small molecule therapeutics targeting RAS and PI3K malignancies. BBOT has the goal of improving outcomes for patients with cancers driven by the two most prevalent oncogenes in human tumors. For more information, visit BBOTx.com.


WHO YOU ARE

The Director, Medical Writing provides strategic and operational leadership for the Medical Writing function and is responsible for the planning, development, and delivery of high-quality clinical and regulatory documents that support BBOT's development programs and global regulatory submissions.

This individual serves as a strategic partner to Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Operations, and other cross-functional leaders to ensure the timely delivery of scientifically rigorous and regulatory-compliant documentation. The Director is responsible for establishing medical writing standards, building organizational capabilities, and ensuring portfolio-wide execution of medical writing activities in support of corporate objectives.


Requirements:

RESPONSIBILITIES

Medical Writing

  • Direct, hands-on authoring and leading complex, major regulatory document preparation (e.g., IND, NDA, BLA, and MAA, clinical protocol, IB, CSR, Agency meeting materials).
  • Synthesize complex clinical and scientific data into key elements.
  • Review and edit documents prepared by internal writers, contractors, or functional contributors to ensure quality and adherence to standards.
  • Partner with study teams to develop key messages from clinical study data.
  • Drive alignment across functions to ensure high-quality, timely, and efficient execution of clinical and regulatory documentation.

Functional Leadership and Strategy

  • Develop and execute the Medical Writing functional strategy aligned with corporate and development objectives.
  • Establish and maintain department goals, performance metrics, standards, and best practices to ensure high-quality and efficient document delivery.
  • Build, scale, and continuously improve Medical Writing processes, systems, templates, and standards.
  • Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all medical writing activities across the clinical portfolio.
  • Serve as the functional leader and subject matter expert for Medical Writing within the organization.

Portfolio and Regulatory Leadership

  • Lead strategic planning and oversight of medical writing deliverables across all development programs and regulatory submissions.
  • Influence development and regulatory strategies through active participation in portfolio planning and decision-making activities.
  • Develop integrated document strategies and submission plans for major regulatory submissions, including INDs, NDAs, BLAs, MAAs, and health authority meeting packages.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to develop messaging strategies and ensure consistent communication of clinical data across regulatory documents.
  • Provide strategic guidance on document content, structure, and messaging to support successful regulatory interactions and submissions.
  • Ensure all deliverables are completed in compliance with applicable regulations, company SOPs, ICH guidelines, and industry standards.

Organizational Leadership and Resource Management

  • Develop and manage Medical Writing resource plans, including internal staffing, contractor oversight, and vendor management strategies.
  • Manage departmental budgets and forecasting activities to ensure efficient allocation of resources.
  • Recruit, mentor, develop, and retain high-performing medical writing professionals.
  • Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management for direct reports and contribute to succession planning and organizational development.
  • Establish an effective operating model that supports organizational growth and evolving business needs.

Quality and Compliance

  • Establish and maintain Medical Writing governance, standards, templates, and quality processes.
  • Ensure inspection readiness and compliance with global regulatory requirements, including FDA, EMA, ICH, and GCP guidelines.
  • Oversee quality review processes to ensure scientific accuracy, consistency, and regulatory compliance across all documents.
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, quality, and scalability of Medical Writing operations.

Additional Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic oversight and guidance for the preparation of clinical and regulatory documents as needed.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or related discipline required; advanced degree (PhD, PharmD, MD, or Master's degree) preferred.
  • Minimum of 12 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, including at least 10 years of progressive medical writing experience.
  • Minimum of 3 years of people leadership or functional management experience.
  • Demonstrated success leading Medical Writing activities for complex global regulatory submissions, including INDs, NDAs, BLAs, and MAAs.
  • Deep expertise across the clinical trial document lifecycle, including protocols, Investigator's Brochures, Clinical Study Reports, CTD summaries, and health authority briefing documents.
  • Extensive knowledge of global regulatory requirements and guidelines, including FDA, EMA, ICH, and GCP.
  • Proven experience building and managing medical writing teams, contractors, and external vendors.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently lead in a fast-paced, dynamic, and highly collaborative biotechnology environment.
  • Strong strategic thinking, organizational, and project leadership skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
  • Proficiency with standard business applications and industry systems, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, SharePoint, Veeva RIM, EndNote, and related document management platforms.

WHAT WE OFFER

At BBOT, we strive to provide a market-competitive total rewards package, including base pay, annual performance bonus, company equity, and comprehensive health benefits. The final compensation package will depend on factors including experience, skills, education, location, and performance throughout the interview process.