Associate Director, Publication Writer

The Role

Moderna is seeking a Associate Director Publication Writer to lead end-to-end publication management activities across multiple therapeutic areas. This individual will collaborate with internal and external authors, as well as cross-functional teams including Medical, Research, Development, CMC, Health Outcomes, and external vendors, to lead writing activities for medical publications, abstracts, and posters aligned to medical affairs strategy. Critically, this includes aligning and leading this cross functional team to publication dates important for product reference information. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in medical writing, integrating scientific messages, and compliance with industry standards, as well as the ability to collaborate across functions and manage external vendors.

Moderna seeks candidates aligned with its culture centered on bold, collaborative, curious, and relentless values, which enable innovation in mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics to benefit patients.

This is an exciting time to join Moderna as we expand our product reach globally to hundreds of millions of people and experience acceleration in our pipeline and late phase development, thereby poising Moderna for substantial growth in the coming years. This role will be a key contributor to Moderna’s future success in making a transformative impact to patients through our vaccines and therapeutics using our mRNA platform.

Here’s What You’ll Do

• Oversee the publication process, including the development of manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and presentations, ensuring accuracy, ease of understanding complex scientific graphs, topics and data while adhering to global ethical standards.
• Manage cross-functional collaborations with clinical, regulatory, and commercial teams to ensure alignment with medical goals and timely execution of publication deliverables.
• Develop compelling visual representations of scientific data, including graphs, figures, and infographics, to enhance the clarity and impact of publications.
• Create and implement a strategic approach to abstracts and posters, ensuring data is presented in a visually appealing and accessible way for external audiences at medical congresses.
• Develop and implement global publication strategies in alignment with Medical Affairs objectives, ensuring key data is effectively disseminated to relevant audiences.
• Lead internal stakeholder meetings to communicate publication plans and coordinate activities across functions and get data availability of key therapeutic areas.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry guidelines (e.g., ICMJE, GPP, CONSORT) and internal SOPs, maintaining ethical standards and transparency throughout the publication process.
• Track and report on publication metrics and progress to Medical Affairs leadership, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Monitor industry trends and best practices in medical writing and publication planning to continuously improve the quality and impact of publications.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in Medical Affairs Publications, supporting internal teams and ensuring alignment with broader medical and business strategies.
• Work with global and regional stakeholders on journal identification, medical congress planning, and tactic implementation.
• Collaborate with Scientific Communications teams to integrate scientific messages and ensure alignment with cross functional teams.
• Support annual publication planning meetings to ensure strategic alignment and progress.

Here’s What You’ll Need (Minimum Qualifications)

• 5-8 years of pharmaceutical industry experience
• Advanced degree in life sciences or related field (PhD, PharmD, MD, MSc) required.
• 5+ years of experience in medical writing, publication planning, and medical affairs publications within the pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical device industry.
• Proven experience with publication strategy development and execution.
• In-depth knowledge of publication guidelines (e.g., ICMJE, GPP) and experience in ensuring compliance with industry standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with internal stakeholders and external authors.

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)

• In-depth conceptual and practical knowledge and experience in using Datavision for management of Publications.
• Highly organized with attention to detail and ability to relate project details to larger objectives. Ability to plan, prioritize, and execute multiple projects.
• Has knowledge of best practices in Publications and a clear understanding of the clinical development process and clinical study data.
• CMPP certification or AMWA certification preferred but not mandatory.
• Highly self-motivated, with a track record of excelling in a fast-paced work environment
• Experience in infectious diseases and vaccines is an advantage.
• Strong negotiation, verbal/written communication, and interpersonal skills with a good awareness of global cultural differences
• A desire to make an impact as part of a high-growth, transformational company that is Bold, Relentless, Curious, and Collaborative

Pay & Benefits

At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work. That’s why our US benefits and global well-being resources are designed to support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

• Best-in-class healthcare coverage, plus voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needs
• A holistic approach to well-being, with access to fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support
• Family planning benefits, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown
• Savings and investment opportunities to help you plan for the future
• Location-specific perks and extras

The salary range for this role is $137,500.00 - $247,500.00. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An individual’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, performance, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation, or equity award, subject to company plan eligibility criteria and individual performance.

About Moderna

Since our founding in 2010, we have aspired to build the leading mRNA technology platform, the infrastructure to reimagine how medicines are created and delivered, and a world-class team. We believe in giving our people a platform to change medicine and an opportunity to change the world.

By living our mission, values, and mindsets every day, our people are the driving force behind our scientific progress and our culture. Together, we are creating a culture of belonging and building an organization that cares deeply for our patients, our employees, the environment, and our communities.

We are proud to have been recognized as a Science Magazine Top Biopharma Employer, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators, and a Great Place to Work in the U.S.

If you want to make a difference and join a team that is changing the future of medicine, we invite you to visit modernatx.com/careers to learn more about our current opportunities.

Our Working Model 

As we build our company, we have always believed an in-person culture is critical to our success. Moderna champions the significant benefits of in-office collaboration by embracing a 70/30 work model. This 70% in-office structure helps to foster a culture rich in innovation, teamwork, and direct mentorship. Join us in shaping a world where every interaction is an opportunity to learn, contribute, and make a meaningful impact.

Moderna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free work environment.

Equal Opportunities

Moderna is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry or citizenship, ethnicity, disability, military or protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, or any other personal characteristic protected under applicable law.Moderna is a place where everyone can grow. If you meet the Basic Qualifications for the role and you would be excited to contribute to our mission every day, please apply!

Moderna is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Accommodations

We’re focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees. By cultivating a workplace that values diverse experiences, backgrounds, and ideas, we create an environment where every employee can contribute their best.

Moderna is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should contact the Accommodations team at [email protected]. 

Export Control Notice

This position may involve access to technology or data that is subject to U.S. export control laws, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). As such, employment is contingent upon the applicant’s ability to access export-controlled information in accordance with U.S. law. Due to the nature of the work and regulatory requirements, only individuals who qualify as U.S. persons (citizens, permanent residents, asylees, or refugees) are eligible for this position. For this role Moderna is unable to sponsor non-U.S. persons to apply for an export control license.