Add Your Magic to Ours!

We’re looking for exceptionally awesome people to join our fast-growing, award-winning company in the life sciences space where you can make a real difference in patients’ lives—and your career.

PR & Media Relations Specialist, Life Sciences [Contractor Position]

AGENCY EXPERIENCE IN THE LIFE SCIENCES INDUSTRY REQUIRED - Your application will not be considered for this position unless you have specific PR agency experience in the life sciences industry

Grey Matter Marketing is seeking an exceptional independent contractor experienced in PR & media relations and an expert in getting earned media for clients and brands in creative, innovative and breakthrough ways — both planned and opportunistic — to help drive business goals.

The PR & Media Relations Specialist will play a crucial role in crafting and executing the PR and media relations strategy for the agency and our innovative clients across several different therapeutic areas. You will be responsible for developing relationships with journalists, pitching stories, and securing media coverage across various channels. Additionally, you will collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify and leverage newsworthy angles and events to build visibility and credibility for Grey Matter Marketing. The role works as part of a larger agency team to facilitate integrated marketing communications campaigns for our clients.

The ideal person also has a strong grasp of the tactical execution of a PR campaign, the know how to reach a variety of stakeholders, and the appetite to tackle new challenges and drive communications programs. This person should be equal parts contributor and collaborator, avid reader of life sciences/innovation news, and can apply timely trends to client's messages and program goals.

If you are a skilled storyteller with a strong media network and a deep understanding of the life sciences agency industry, we would love to hear from you.

Key activities and responsibilities include:

  • Build and execute corporate media relations strategy and key initiatives, partnering closely with the internal team and client stakeholders to tell a coordinated and compelling story, identify appropriate opportunities and ensure alignment of messaging and timing.

  • Maintain and enhance relationships with top-tier media and key trade outlets to help improve our ability to share messages proactively and respond effectively to reporters.

  • Liaise with members of the news media, including proactive pitching, responding promptly to requests from journalists, and coordinating and facilitating media interviews for various spokespeople.

  • Collaborate with client stakeholders in Investor Relations, Government Affairs & Policy, Legal and other parts of the organization to evaluate and respond to incoming media inquiries, often on tight timelines to ensure that reporters meet their deadlines.

  • Prepare company spokespeople for media interviews and other engagements in partnership with client compliance stakeholders. This includes media training spokespeople, as needed, and ensuring that company’s most frequent spokespeople are prepared to address key issues as they emerge.

  • Plan and implement PR and media relations services with third parties, such as SMTs/VMTs/Mat releases, etc.

  • Support crisis communications, including proactively planning for and managing issues affecting the company and industry.

  • Research and track media stories and trends of importance to Grey Matter Marketing, our clients, and the life sciences industry.

  • Identify and track relevant industry awards and speaking opportunities, and craft submissions and speaking abstracts.

  • Develop and write a variety of content aimed at internal and external audiences including, but not limited to, news releases and feature stories, newsletter stories, leadership emails, video scripts, online news and feature stories, social media posts, and infographics.

  • Analyze PR coverage and provide written reports.

Required skills:

  • Bachelor’s degree plus minimum of 6 years of PR and media relations experience, including pitching and press release writing, at an agency within the life sciences space.

  • Demonstrated track record in media relations including relationships with top-tier healthcare and industry media, as well as demonstration of how media stories have been influenced as a result of your work.

  • Ability to support and effectively interact with senior leaders. Executive communications experience a plus.

  • Excellent storyteller with strong verbal, written and interpersonal communications skills.

  • Strong ability to engage and manage multiple stakeholders (internal and external) to achieve objectives.

  • Team player who is comfortable working in a collaborative environment but can also work independently.

  • Ability to flawlessly create, plan and execute on high-stakes programs under tight deadlines. Must be able to manage multiple, high-urgency projects simultaneously; flexibility is essential.

  • Comprehensive understanding of the life sciences industry, R&D and product commercialization, including the regulatory framework.

  • Experience working collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

  • Proficiency in monitoring and analyzing PR metrics and KPIs.

  • Excellent copywriting skills (spelling, grammar, and proofreading) and fluent in AP style; AMA style a plus

  • Proficient in Google Drive, Google applications and Microsoft Office programs. Some experience with project management tools (i.e., Asana) and social media management tools (i.e., Hootsuite) is preferred.

Notes on Independent Contractor Positions:

  • This is a fully-remote independent-contractor position with the possibility of converting to a full-time salaried position based upon performance and need.

  • Time commitment will vary dependent on client needs: from 10-15 hrs per week up to 30+ hrs per week.

  • It is ideal for someone looking for a more flexible job structure but wants to be a significant contributor and leader.

  • Some travel to agency meeting or clients may be required.

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Strategic Account Director (AD)

Responsible for implementing and supporting business across multiple campaigns, brands, and/or clients. The AD plays a critical role in managing senior level client relationships and has regular exposure to client senior management as well as their teams. Their key responsibilities include being the primary point of contact with clients and building long-term relationships with them. They act as the link between the client and the agency, communicating for the client and the agency and ensuring both parties are happy and engaged. The AD gives regular detailed progress reports and keeps clients satisfied with exceptional customer service daily.

The AD is also responsible for ensuring the overarching client/brand strategy is pulled through to day-to-day work and tactics. The AD is expected to be the client, brand, and category expert once they are fully onboarded and entrenched. They are expected to ensure the agency team is aware of latest brand developments or evolutions, they lead the charge on message matrix/guide updates and style updates to ensure the agency is delivering consistent work that exceeds client expectations.

Account Management

  • Has primary responsibility for internal and external account management activities across 1 - 3 accounts, with support from multi-disciplinary teams and senior levels of management
  • Supports the day-to-day pull through of strategy, manages quarterly strategic assessments, yearly brand planning and market change assessments
  • Helps develop and administer client budgets based on accurate estimating and tracking of hours, out-of-pocket expenses, and reconciliation against estimates
  • Manages overall forecast, oversees budget status reports and reconciliations for financial performance
  • Possesses thorough knowledge of account contracts, statements of works, and change orders

Client Service

  • Demonstrates a thorough understanding of and passion for a client's business, objectives, industry, target audiences, and relevant media/influencers
  • Drives day-to-day client relations and serves as one of the primary client points-of-contact
  • Actively cultivates and maintains strong client relationships by heading and initiating ongoing status meetings, review meetings, and providing consistent and clear communication
  • Provides recommendations for integrated strategic programs; develops tactical plans to drive business results; and leads execution including, timelines, budgeting and team bandwidth
  • Ensures client feedback is captured, understood, and addressed as appropriate across deliverables
  • Helps to retain and organically grow clients by continuously delivering a quality product, adhering to budgets and timelines, meeting KPIs, and bringing new insights and ideas
  • Raises client awareness as to when changes in client direction affect estimates

Leadership

  • Able to adapt to a range of client corporate cultures and personalities
  • Able to collaborate with and support multi-disciplinary team
  • Works well within the team as well as independently
  • Exhibits sound decision making regarding hours dedicated to jobs and what to prioritize
  • Demonstrates professional presence and strong work ethic, with a track record of following through on client requests and with high-quality results on schedule and on budget
  • Able to identify client issues, and work with VP, Client Operations to moderate conflicts and influence management decisions
  • Helps identify resourcing and staffing needs

Qualifications

  • 6 – 8 years of experience in the life sciences space (i.e., digital health, pharmaceutical, or medical device and diagnostic companies) in a healthcare agency or in-house marketing leadership role
  • Minimum of 2 years management experience
  • Highly organized and able to multi-task under limited supervision; able to devise and articulate solutions to problems on an ongoing basis
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills; able to effectively communicate critical information to internal and external stakeholders
  • High energy; thrives in fast-paced, growing, and evolving environment; must be willing to roll up their sleeves and do the work
  • Project management experience, demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, prioritize and manage detailed budgets
  • Bachelor’s degree
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