21GRAMS - VP, Medical Strategy Director

Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

$180K/yr – $200K/yrSenior Level10+ years expFull time

Posted 6 weeks ago

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Job Summary

Own the scientific storytelling and strategic medical direction that turns complex data into actionable direction for multiple brands and new opportunities.

  • Scientific storytelling: translate data into evidence-backed direction to inform strategy and messaging.
  • Strategic leadership: shape medical strategy across brands, franchises, and growth opportunities with cross-functional teams.
  • Creative and client partnership: collaborate with creative and account teams, mentor others, and contribute to pitches and workshops to win business.

Job Description

Responsibilities

  • A SCIENTIFIC STORYTELLER: You turn data into direction and evidence into inspiration. You help teams uncover the strategic implications hidden within the science and ensure every idea is grounded in a compelling medical truth.
  • A STRATEGIC LEADER: You lead medical strategy across brands, franchises, and new business opportunities. You define scientific narratives, identify strategic opportunities, and help shape positioning, messaging, and communication platforms.
  • A CREATIVE PARTNER: You work hand-in-hand with creative and brand strategy teams to elevate the work. You don't simply review ideas—you help make them stronger.
  • A TRUSTED CLIENT ADVISOR: You confidently engage clients as a senior strategic partner, helping them navigate complex scientific and commercial challenges while earning credibility through expertise and thoughtful counsel.
  • A QUALITY CHAMPION: You ensure scientific rigor and medical accuracy across deliverables while maintaining a sharp focus on strategic relevance and business impact.
  • AN INSPIRING TEACHER: You elevate the capabilities of those around you—mentoring junior team members, strengthening agency medical acumen, and helping clients think differently about their brands and opportunities.
  • A NEW BUSINESS CATALYST: You play an active role in pitches, workshops, and growth initiatives, bringing scientific leadership and strategic thinking that help win new business.
  • A BUILDER: You help shape the future of Medical Strategy at 21GRAMS—developing frameworks, processes, thought leadership, and capabilities that keep us ahead of where healthcare marketing is going

Requirements

  • Advanced scientific degree required (PharmD, PhD, MD, DO, NP, PA, or equivalent)
  • 10+ years of experience in pharmaceutical advertising, healthcare communications, medical strategy, or related healthcare marketing environments
  • Significant agency experience supporting pharmaceutical and biotech brands
  • Deep understanding of promotional healthcare communications across HCP, patient, and consumer audiences
  • Experience leading scientific and strategic discussions with senior-level clients
  • Demonstrated success partnering with creative, strategy, and account teams to develop breakthrough work
  • Experience contributing to new business pitches and agency growth initiatives
  • Strong presentation, storytelling, and facilitation skills
  • Ability to simplify complex science into clear, compelling strategic direction
  • Experience managing, mentoring, and developing talent

Preferred

  • Experience in rare disease, oncology, immunology, neuroscience, infectious disease, or specialty care categories
  • Launch experience across pre-launch, launch, and lifecycle brands
  • Experience leading workshops, advisory boards, and KOL engagements
  • A healthy obsession with healthcare, culture, technology, and where they're headed next

Benefits

  • benefits program designed to give you the support you and your family need at every stage of life
  • Real Chemistry offers a comprehensive benefit program and perks, tailored to your region
  • Globally, this includes offices in our key markets with free snacks to keep you running all day long
  • generous holiday and paid time off
  • options for private medical, dental, and vision plans
  • support in saving for the future
  • mental wellness coaching and support
  • access to more than 13,000 online classes with LinkedIn Learning
  • Learn more about our great benefits and perks and search specific offerings in your region at: www.realchemistrybenefits.com
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Real Chemistry

3.2 Glassdoor

Real Chemistry drives the commercial success of healthcare companies by creating AI-powered, idea-driven healthcare experiences with the customer at the center. Over 2,000 experts from a wide range of disciplines collaborate without barriers under a single, unified mission: to transform what healthcare is to what it should be.

Founded in 2001
New York, New York, USA
2.5K employees (648 in marketing)
44% recommend to a friend
44% CEO approval

Traffic Signals

Monthly Visitors
53.9K
Monthly Google Ads Budget
$1.4K
Traffic Source Mix
Search
27.3%
Direct
53.5%
Referral
5.9%
Social
12.5%
Paid
0.7%

Headcount Trend

Current headcount: ~2.5K

Marketing Team

Marketing Team Size
461 (18% of company)
Median Career Experience
14 years
Median Tenure
6 years
Marketing Roles Posted (Last 30 Days)
28

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