Director, Editorial

Overview

Directors own editorial performance across the department, making the trade-offs that protect quality and momentum and strengthening how editorial work moves through the agency.

They are accountable for the overall accuracy and integrity of the healthcare content the agency produces — copy that passes the scrutiny of client medical, legal, and regulatory committees and the FDA, and holds up on medical and scientific accuracy, spelling, grammar, and adherence to brand style guides. Directors bring deep editorial expertise, manage people effectively, and understand how the agency works across teams.

This role leads editors at all levels. It serves as the point of contact for complex quality and client challenges. It also refines the editorial operating model to ensure reliable performance at scale. Directors are proactive, organized, and professional, and are a resource the wider agency relies on for editorial prowess.

Responsibilities

Skills

Own editorial priorities and trade-offs across multiple brands and teams.
Anticipate department-level risks and adjust staffing, sequencing, or focus accordingly.
Make decisions that weigh quality, capacity, and risk across the full portfolio of brands.
Hold a firm quality line while knowing when and how to flex standards to protect client outcomes.
Oversee that staff read for clarity, grammar, and spelling; proofread; fact-check claims; and conform text to FDA regulations, AMA style, and client style.
Detect patterns that could erode quality or capacity and address them early.

Delivery

Hold accountability for QC and editorial quality standards across the department.
Lean in to edit day-to-day work during launches, label updates, and influx periods.
Meet client deadlines without jeopardizing the integrity of the work.
Manage tight deadlines while remaining solution focused and calm in high-tension situations.
Recommend refinements to the editorial operating model and identify workflow and business process improvements within the department and at client interfaces.
Lead the implementation of solutions that improve operating and business results.

Knowledge

Apply strong judgment across staffing, sequencing, and prioritization.
Reinforce consistent use of tools, process, and editorial standards across brands.
Help inform agency operations and SOPs to strengthen how work moves.
Bring strong fact-checking skills and command of FDA regulations, AMA style, and client style.
Work fluently across both digital and print materials and the systems that route them.
Understand how editorial decisions affect timelines, budgets, and client relationships.

Leadership

Lead editors at all levels, setting clear expectations for performance and judgment.
Serve as the escalation point for complex quality or client challenges.
Evaluate and train staff, resolve staff issues, manage client needs and expectations, and foster a positive team atmosphere.
Lead the editorial staff to excel, answering general and account-specific questions and coaching on time management and workload prioritization.
Conduct performance reviews for editors who report to them and develop managing editors and associate directors who lead with strong judgment.
Onboard staff within editorial and across disciplines, maintain org charts and onboarding materials, and deliver training.
Build trust with senior stakeholders and clients through consistent editorial performance.

Qualifications

4+ years of copyediting experience, ideally in medical advertising, publishing, or medical communications.
Three or more years of managerial experience with direct reports.
Experience across both digital and print materials.
Facility with and familiarity with pharmaceutical marketing formats.
Outstanding leadership, client service, and relationship-building skills.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, and comfort with client contact.
Ability to work autonomously, make sound decisions, assess talent and give feedback across the department.
Proficiency with standard document software and online routing tools; Adobe Acrobat and presentation software desirable.
Bachelor's degree in English, healthcare, communication, or science, or equivalent professional experience.