Medical Strategy Director

Overview

FWD People is a full-service strategic marketing agency delivering meaningful and measurable results in the health and non-profit sectors. We take pride in being our clients' trusted strategic partner—staying ahead of the curve, and leveraging our expertise and foresight to help them navigate change and seize opportunities. We approach every challenge with a commitment to innovation, excellence, and empathy, and we seek the same qualities in our leaders. As a fast-growing, senior team, we're excited to welcome more forward-thinking individuals who will help us drive growth, foster positive change within our client's industries, and have fun along the way.

As the Medical Strategy Director, you’ll be the first of your kind at FWD. The person who gives science a voice and makes strategy feel alive. You’ll translate complex data into stories people actually want to read, shaping work that’s as emotionally intelligent as it is scientifically sound. You’ll lead medical strategy across two cornerstone accounts, partnering with creative, strategy, and client teams to make sure what we build is true to the science and resonant with the humans it’s meant to reach.

At FWD, we care deeply about our work and the people we work with — we take our no-jerk policy seriously. You’ll thrive here if you bring ownership without ego, a sense of humor, and a love of building teams and brands that matter.

What You’ll Do

• Turn scientific complexity into clarity — crafting narratives that help brands stand for something real.

• Bring medical precision and creative provocation into the same room, so strategy and storytelling move in sync.

• Lead development of the essentials — from scientific platforms and medical narratives to lexicons, annotated creative, and launch tools — that connect insight to execution.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure clinical truth underpins everything we say and make.

• Interpret data, publications, and the competitive landscape to spark new angles for brand differentiation.

• Guide promotional and field materials through the regulatory maze without losing their spark.

• Build relationships with medical affairs teams, KOLs, and advisors who can help us see around corners.

• Lend your perspective to new business, not just to win work, but to make sure it’s work worth winning.

What You’ll Bring

• A life-sciences background (PharmD, PhD, or MD preferred; Master’s-level with deep expertise welcome).

• 7+ years in medical strategy, writing, or communications — ideally in an agency that moves fast and thinks big.

• Experience launching brands or indications, especially in complex or rare disease spaces.

• Familiarity with FDA guidance and the ability to navigate MLR/OPDP with confidence and creativity.

• The ability to zoom out and see the market landscape, then zoom in and find the single sentence that changes how people see a brand.

• A calm, credible client presence — you can read a room, redirect a conversation, and move people toward clarity.

• A knack for building smart, beautiful slides that make strategy feel like storytelling.

• Curiosity that’s both scientific and human: you want to understand the data and the people it affects.

• A bias for collaboration and action. You see what needs doing, and you do it — no drama, no ego.

• Ownership without ego. You’re a big picture thinker who doesn’t sweat being in the weeds to deliver excellence.

Interviewing at FWD People

We believe in transparency and respect for your time. Our hiring process is designed to be open, fair, and as straightforward as possible, giving you a clear picture of what to expect while also giving us a chance to get to know you. Here’s how it works:

• Initial Conversation: A friendly chat to learn about your background, goals, and what excites you about this opportunity (and in general).

• In-Depth Interview: A deeper discussion about your skills, experiences, and how you envision contributing to our team.

• Scenario Conversation: A collaborative discussion where we’ll walk through a few real-world scenarios together. This is an opportunity to show us how you think through challenges, make decisions, and approach problem-solving.

• Final Interview: An onsite conversation with some additional folks on our team and leadership to explore how your unique talents align with our mission and values.

We know that interviewing can sometimes feel overwhelming, which is why we’re committed to keeping the process clear and communicative every step of the way. We’re excited to learn more about you and appreciate you taking the time to get to know us!

Working at FWD People

We are a senior team that champions integrity, adaptability, excellence, and growth. Here, you'll collaborate with solution-focused colleagues to advance both our clients and our teams.

Our office is located in Brooklyn Heights, and we offer a flexible hybrid work schedule. We value in-person collaboration and connection but also understand the importance of offering the flexibility to work from home.

We are dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. As an equal-opportunity employer, we welcome differences in race, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, and more. We believe that diversity drives innovation and success, and we are committed to ensuring equal opportunities and fostering a culture of respect and collaboration.

Benefits & Comp

At FWD, we believe in supporting our team both personally and professionally. We offer excellent benefits, including 25 days off per year +16 paid holidays, matching 401(k), medical, dental & vision, paid maternity & paternity leave, home office setup, yearly team retreats, and a comprehensive professional development program including executive coaching and a yearly professional development stipend. As we continue to grow, we enhance our benefits package to meet the needs of our team.The salary range for this role is $130,000-$225,000. This role is based in NYC (Brooklyn) with a flexible hybrid work schedule.