Senior Director, Medical Writing – Publications

Ultragenyx

Senior Director of Medical Writing at Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical leading publication strategies and managing medical writing teams. Focused on high-quality publications in the biotech industry.

Posted 5/6/2026full-timeNovato • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $246,900 - $305,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead key strategic initiatives within the department including publication strategy, planning, and execution of Ultragenyx products and pipeline publication plans, ensuring alignment with department and company goals.
Provide leadership within the department by proposing and overseeing new initiatives and capabilities, such as establishing best practices for pubs strategy development and pull-through.
Interact with external authors and key internal stakeholders to develop high-quality publications (manuscripts, abstracts, posters, slide presentations) for peer-reviewed journals and scientific congresses and provide publication support and ensure compliant development of company-sponsored publications.
Ensure smooth and effective document management from start to finish (i.e., generation of a blank document to a final approved version), which may include, but is not limited to: first draft authoring, reference retrieval, generating bibliographies, editing (e.g., follow house style guide), and managing various processes (e.g., reviews, QC, QA, formatting, publishing, document archiving, journal and congress submissions).
Liaise with relevant corporate functions and partner(s), as applicable, to ensure appropriate communication of publications‐related activities including manuscripts and congress abstracts/posters/presentations.
Uses advanced communication and persuasion strategies to negotiate on behalf of their department or function on strategic matters.
Contributes to strategic planning for the broader function and support high‐quality execution of Corporate‐wide initiatives.
Acts as a trusted advisor and recognized technical expert.
Manage and/or mentor junior medical writers and contractors.
Support publication budget planning and management.

Requirements

What you’ll need

BS, MS, or doctorate in a scientific or medical field.
Solid experience (BS with >15 years or advanced degree with >10 years) in publication management and medical writing in the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry preferred.
Proven success with leading and managing medical writing agencies as well as track record for consistently meeting or exceeding quantitative targets.
Demonstrated experience analyzing and communicating scientific data in peer-reviewed scientific publications; knowledge of applicable publications-related guidelines (i.e., ICMJE, GPP) and best practices, as well as legal, regulatory, compliance, and clinical/medical affairs.
Experience writing and preparing manuscripts for publication in peer‐reviewed journals as well as abstracts, posters, and slide decks for presentation at scientific congresses.
Successful and superior influencing skills across all levels of the organization and external collaborators.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
Experience in successfully engaging with cross‐functional product teams.
Strong organizational abilities and experience in a multitasking environment.
Motivated, self‐directed, and able to work autonomously and in team settings to meet aggressive organizational goals.
Rare disease experience and a strong understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders are a plus.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Generous vacation time and public holidays observed by the company
Volunteer days
Long term incentive and Employee stock purchase plans or equivalent offerings
Employee wellbeing benefits
Fitness reimbursement
Tuition sponsoring
Professional development plans

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

publication managementmedical writingmanuscript preparationabstract writingposter developmentslide presentation creationdocument managementreference retrievaleditingbudget planning

Soft Skills

leadershipcommunicationpersuasioninfluencingorganizational abilitiesmultitaskingself-directionteam collaborationmentoringstrategic planning