Scientific Business Unit Director - Medical Communications

Job Description

About Us

At Obsidian , we’re passionate about transforming scientific communications to improve healthcare outcomes for everyone. As a specialist healthcare agency, dedicated to medical and scientific communications, we partner with global healthcare organisations to share knowledge that truly makes a difference.

Our team of >70 academic scientists, strategists, and communications experts deliver cutting-edge solutions across:

• Medical Affairs
• Strategic Consultancy
• Scientific Meetings and Events
• Medical Education
• Publications Planning & Delivery
• Creative & Digital Services
• Commercial Strategy

The Opportunity

Following significant growth in 2025, we’re excited to welcome a Scientific Business Unit Lead to join our leadership team. In this pivotal role, you’ll:

• Lead an editorial team of 10 and collaborate with a Business Unit Director to oversee a 20-person team
• Shape and develop scientific strategy across a diverse portfolio of accounts
• Drive editorial excellence and innovation across therapy areas such as hepatitis, HIV, oncology, rare diseases, nephrology, and haemophilia
• Be a member of the core management team

This is your chance to combine scientific expertise with strategic and commercially-focussed leadership – helping us to deliver impactful solutions for clients worldwide.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and Inspire: Manage and mentor editorial teams, fostering growth and excellence across the business unit
• Strategic Client Partnering: Act as a trusted scientific advisor and ensure that all editorial outputs align with client strategy and industry standards
• Business Growth: Drive organic growth and new business
• Resource management: Ensures optimal editorial resource management within the Business Unit
• Financial Management: Have a sound understanding of the financial health across accounts and supports the business forecasting
• Member of the Core Management Team: Acts as a role model within Obsidian, inputting into the driving of company-wide initiatives
• Culture Building: Create an environment of collaboration, innovation and customer service excellence

What We’re Looking For

• Ideally a degree in biological sciences (BSc/MSc/PhD or equivalent)
• Proven experience within medical communications agencies, ideally as a Scientific Services Unit Lead or equivalent
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills, with a track record of managing editorial teams
• Ability to deliver high-quality scientific content and strategic counsel
• Strong commercial acumen

What We Offer

• Hybrid working: Only 2 anchor days a week in the office from our vibrant London office (just off Fetter Lane, EC4).
• 25 days’ holiday + bank holidays, plus gifted days at Christmas and your birthday off
• AXA private healthcare (with family options), Aviva pension scheme, income protection, life assurance
• Enhanced parental leave, cycle-to-work scheme, season ticket loan
• Bonus schemes and employee referral rewards
• Learning and Development : Comprehensive training programmes, annual performance reviews, and opportunities to join working groups
• Well-being Support: EAP , mental health first-aiders, AXA well-being calendar, and a dedicated well-being room
• Social Connection : Regular social events and a friendly, collaborative culture

Ready to lead, inspire, and make an impact?

Join us at Obsidian and help shape the future of scientific communications.