Senior Principal Medical Writer

Merck Group$126K — $215K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a scientific or writing discipline; Master's or PhD preferred.
  • 5-8 years of relevant medical writing experience in pharma/biotech, with strong regulatory documentation background.
  • Proven ability to lead multiple writers and coordinate vendor resources for regulatory submissions.
  • Solid CTD/CTD-like knowledge; experience across multiple markets is a plus.
  • Excellent written and verbal English; strong presentation and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

  • Lead medical writing efforts for global, priority programs across the full regulatory documentation suite.
  • Act as Lead Writer/oversight for clinical sections of regulatory dossiers for global market approvals.
  • Represent Medical Writing in cross-functional teams and participate in governance and project meetings.
  • Define and implement document strategy, resource needs, and timelines; manage deliverables from vendors.
  • Mentor and develop writers; drive adoption of medical writing best practices.
  • Manage documentation strategy, quality, and consistency across indications to align with regulatory expectations.
  • Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure timely and compliant delivery.

Benefits

  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off (PTO)
  • Retirement contributions
  • Performance-based bonuses
  • Other perquisites
Full Job Description
Your Role:

As the Senior Principal Medical Writer, you will lead the end-to-end development of complex regulatory submission documents - ensuring high communication quality, scientific rigor, regulatory compliance, and timely delivery across international markets. Acting as the primary medical writing lead within cross-functional teams, you will define document strategy, shape submission timelines, and align stakeholders across clinical, regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, and statistics. Beyond your individual contributions, you will mentor and develop fellow writers, champion best practices, and drive consistency and quality across deliverables. This is a role for a seasoned professional who combines deep medical writing expertise with the ability to influence decisions, lead without authority, and deliver with precision on programs that directly advance patient health.

Location: Hybrid - 3x/week onsite in Billerica, MA required.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead medical writing efforts for global, priority programs across the full regulatory documentation suite (protocols, clinical study reports, Investigator's Brochures, briefing books, clinical summaries, pediatric plans, authority responses, etc.).
  • Act as Lead Writer/oversight for clinical sections of regulatory dossiers (eCTD) for global market approvals.
  • Represent Medical Writing in cross-functional teams; participate in governance and project meetings.
  • Define and implement document strategy, resource needs, and timelines; manage deliverables from vendors and external writers as needed.
  • Mentor and develop writers; drive adoption of MW best practices and standards.
  • Manage documentation strategy, quality, and consistency across indications; ensure alignment with regulatory expectations.
  • Coordinate with cross-functional teams (clinical, pharmacovigilance, regulatory affairs, statistics) to ensure timely and compliant delivery.

Who You Are:

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in a scientific or writing discipline; Master's or PhD preferred.
  • 5-8 years of relevant medical writing experience in pharma/biotech, with strong regulatory documentation background.
  • Proven ability to lead multiple writers and coordinate vendor resources for regulatory submissions (IND/IMPD, bridging documents, briefing books, etc.).
  • Solid CTD/CTD-like knowledge; experience across multiple markets is a plus.
  • Excellent written and verbal English; strong presentation and collaboration skills.
  • Ability to travel as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with country-specific submissions and post-approval documents
  • Proficiency with document management systems, SharePoint, and standard MW templates
  • Familiarity with industry best practices and evolving regulatory guidelines
  • Strategic document planning and cross-functional leadership
  • Deep knowledge of regulatory submission requirements and lifecycle management
  • Vendor management and remote leadership
  • Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management
  • High attention to quality, accuracy, and compliance

Pay Range for this position: $126,900 - 215,400
The offer range represents the anticipated low and high end of the base pay compensation for this position. The actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level of experience, education, skills, and other job-related factors. Position may be eligible for sales or performance-based bonuses. Benefits offered by the Company include health insurance, paid time off (PTO), retirement contributions, and other perquisites. For more information click here.

About Merck Group

Merck Group Careers

There has never been a more opportune time to join Merck Group, a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science, and performance materials. Merck Group offers a plethora of job opportunities that cater to a variety of skills and professional aspirations, making it an ideal environment for both seasoned experts and those at the start of their career journey.

Work You’ll Do

At Merck Group, every team member contributes to breakthrough innovations in healthcare, life sciences, and electronics. The company's commitment to diversity and innovation fuels its leadership in various sectors, driving growth and transformation globally. Merck Group’s career paths are diverse, offering positions that challenge individuals to use their skills in new ways every day, supported by robust training programs and development opportunities.

Explore Job Opportunities and Growth

Merck Group is not just about jobs; it's about building a career. With a vast array of positions, from research and development to marketing and sales, the company is keen on hiring and nurturing talent to lead industry transformation. Merck Group’s dedication to professional growth is evident in its comprehensive benefits package and performance management processes that aim to maximize individual potential.

Internship Programs

Starting with an internship at Merck Group can be a pivotal step in securing a prosperous career. Interns gain invaluable industry experience, working alongside seasoned professionals and engaging in projects that offer real-world applications of their studies. Internships often lead to full-time employment opportunities, providing a seamless transition from education to professional employment.

Inclusive Culture and Leadership

Merck Group is proud of its inclusive culture that embraces diversity and fosters an environment where all employees can thrive. The company’s leadership is committed to creating a workplace where diverse ideas lead to innovative outcomes. Merck Group also offers diversity training to ensure all team members are equipped to contribute to the company’s inclusive goals.

Networking and Professional Development

Employees at Merck Group are encouraged to engage in networking and professional development activities that enhance their career trajectories. The company hosts various networking events, workshops, and seminars that are designed to hone skills and foster connections within the industry. Leadership development programs are also a cornerstone, preparing employees for future roles of increased responsibility.

Stay Connected with Merck Group Careers

Interested candidates can explore open positions that match their skills and interests through the Merck Group careers page. The company values curious, creative, and solution-driven team players who are eager to make an impact.

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Merck Group is continuously looking for individuals who are ready to drive innovation and lead in the global marketplace. Whether through full-time positions, internships, or leadership roles, Merck Group offers a career path filled with opportunities for growth, learning, and leadership.
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