Senior Project Manager - Medical Communications Publications

About the Role

Our client, a premier global medical communications agency, is seeking a skilled Senior Project Manager to lead the successful execution of publication-centric medical communications programs. This pivotal role acts as an operational liaison among scientific, editorial, account, and client teams, ensuring projects are managed efficiently, delivered on schedule, and within financial plans. Ideal candidates bring substantial experience with publications in a medical communications setting, including expertise in publication planning, author engagement, congress deliverables, and development workflows. The environment is dynamic and fast-paced, demanding excellent organizational abilities, strong communication with clients, and adeptness at managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the full project lifecycle of publication and medical communications initiatives from inception to final delivery.
• Create and update project plans detailing timelines, milestones, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams such as scientific services, editorial, account management, creative, production, and external vendors.
• Anticipate risks, address challenges proactively, and engineer solutions to maintain project progress.
• Ensure all outputs meet quality benchmarks and client standards.
• Manage deliverables like manuscripts, abstracts, posters, oral presentations, congress materials, and related communications.
• Handle publication routing, review cycles, approval workflows, and submissions.
• Maintain and monitor publication trackers and critical milestones against plans.
• Support publication planning to align with client goals and timelines.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external authors during publication development.
• Act as the main communication contact for project updates among authors, investigators, opinion leaders, and clients.
• Lead project status meetings, planning sessions, and review calls, ensuring documentation of agendas and action items with timely follow-ups.
• Foster strong client partnerships through consistent communication and dependable project delivery.
• Provide regular updates on project status, budget, and financial tracking; manage scopes and identify out-of-scope tasks.
• Assist with invoicing and financial reporting duties.
• Adhere to internal protocols, client requirements, and publication best practices.
• Keep thorough and precise project records.
• Participate in initiatives targeting operational improvements to increase delivery efficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional background.
• Minimum of 4 years experience managing projects in a medical communications agency.
• Proven track record with publication-centric medical communications programs.
• Thorough knowledge of publication development, timelines, author interaction, and submission processes.
• Experience navigating publication routing, review, and approval cycles.
• Capability to manage several projects concurrently under strict deadlines.
• Experience handling project budgets, forecasts, and financial outcomes.
• Excellent organization, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering quality work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to global publication programs.
• Familiarity with publication planning platforms and project management tools.
• Understanding of GPP, ICMJE, and other publication compliance standards.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or formal project management training.

Key Competencies

• Leadership in publication project management.
• Client relationship development and maintenance.
• Coordination of cross-functional teams.
• Budget oversight and financial controls.
• Risk detection and mitigation strategies.
• Managing authors and key stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication abilities.
• Commitment to operational excellence and meticulous attention to details.
• Ability to prioritize effectively in a high-pressure, fast-moving work environment.