Editor

Overview

Meticulous doesn't begin to describe your dedication to accuracy.

You are diligent and punctilious, with an absolute understanding of the tone and structure of writing. You can turn a sprawling explanation into one clear and concise message without affecting the underlying meaning. You are laser-focused on grammar and phrasing, and more reliable than spell check. Do you feel like this paragraph could be improved? This Editor role with GSW may be just the place for you.

As an advocate for readers, the editor evaluates and provides fresh perspective to copy/layout and makes changes/recommendations to improve upon the work of copywriters, medical liaisons, and artists. Reviews original and all revisions to concepts, copy, layouts, final art, printer’s proofs, and digital QCs to ensure materials produced for Syneos Health, its clients, and its potential clients are clearly communicated, of the highest quality, and meet or exceed client expectations.

GSW is a full-service healthcare communications agency that goes beyond advertising to create personalized brand experiences. We develop strategic marketing solutions for pharmaceutical, biotech and health-and-wellness clients around the world. We create experiences that involve, inspire, educate and activate people through ongoing brand journeys.

Responsibilities

(Duties may include, but not limited to all or some of the following)

• Works directly with medical liaisons to ensure content/claims can be substantiated by supporting clinical studies
• Reviews all other sources of written materials, fact checking, verifying correct use of unfamiliar terms, and ensuring accuracy of quoted materials
• Uses familiarity with references and other source materials to verify and apply them to new materials; identifies material that requires referencing
• Demonstrates knowledge of brand/disease state and contributes from that perspective
• Evaluates adequate presence and size of fair balance in relationship to claims being made
• Challenges any inaccurate or questionable changes dictated by client/medical/regulatory/legal
• Works closely with copywriters to achieve best communication possible
• Analyzes content, determining and performing level of edit necessary, revising, rewriting, and reorganizing for clarity, comprehension, logic, structure, and flow
• Explains editing decisions clearly and convincingly
• Assesses demographic issues and amends language, tone, and reading level accordingly
• Reviews layouts, assessing how copy works with the overall design; checks use of appropriate fonts and font sizes against specifications in copy document; checks consistency of spacing, text alignment, line and word breaks
• Checks graphs, charts, and tables for uniformity of style and size, making sure data are displayed clearly and correctly
• Writes, updates, and distributes account-specific brand guidelines, incorporating client preferences and medical/regulatory/legal requirements
• Formats references to conform to AMA/brand style
• Proofreads for grammar, spelling, and punctuation, establishing compliance with editorial standards for correctness, consistency, and completeness
• Confirms accuracy of names, titles, and degrees; street, email, and web addresses; phone/fax numbers; dates and times; abbreviations and acronyms
• Ensures accuracy and proper sequence of indicator-type elements and cross-references
• Performs functionality checks of digital projects (ex, working links, websites, banner ads, and other digital projects in staging sites)
• Reads appropriate subject matter to further understanding of brand/ disease state to enhance editing of technical content

Job Requirements

Education

• BA in English or journalism or equivalent experience required
• Minimum of 5 years of editing experience required
• Scientific, medical, pharmaceutical, or technical background preferred

Skills

• Ability to work on a variety of medical education, medical communications, and publication materials, including PowerPoint slides, printed materials (newsletters, brochures monographs, manuscripts, posters, etc), as well as digital materials (websites, banner ads, journal ads, etc)
• Detail-oriented with strong writing, oral, and interpersonal skills
• Strong technical, organizational, and analytical skills
• Excellent grasp of mechanical/layout design and issues
  • Ability to work independently, as well as closely with copywriters, artists, and account executives, in a team-oriented environment
  • Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects under tight timelines
  • Flexibility to work successfully in a fast-paced environment   
  • Technical expertise: excellent command of English language; ability to apply it to writing generated by other professionals
  • Knowledge/familiarity of AMA style preferred
  • Attention to detail: using thorough approach, edits accurately under tight timelines
  • Ability to judge overall picture: ensures overall logic, structure, and usability of the communication fit together into a coherent whole
• Technical knowledge: ability to apply understanding of brand/disease state to science-based content
  • Discretion: Exercises good judgment with when to apply standards, when to leave alone
  • Quality Management: Dedicated to providing the highest quality product that meets or exceeds the requirements of the job

At Syneos Health, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace. If your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway. At times, we will consider transferable skills from previous roles. We also encourage you to join our Talent Network to stay connected to additional career opportunities.  

GSW turns against the premise of doing the “same old.” Our culture is focused on collaborative, meaningful advertising and day-to-day interpersonal interaction. We value the diverse backgrounds of our team members, and everyone has the opportunity to provide input and be heard. GSW is comprised of creative, motivated individuals who are all here for a reason. We welcome those who strive to work above and beyond their role, who voice their opinion and who are engaged in all aspects of the agency.

GSW is part of Syneos Health Communications, a purpose-built collective of agencies focused on supporting health and biopharmaceutical innovators. We work in scalable, collaborative teams that partner across disciplines and geographies to deliver integrated communications strategies that accelerate brand performance. In today’s fast-changing and complex environment, success lies in making connections: between science, emotion, and technology; between data, design and human insight. We’re able to make those connections because our medical communications, digital, advertising, public relations, data science, research and market access specialists work closely with each other and with healthcare experts, including physicians, pharmacists and advocates. Together, we are the connected healthcare partner tapping rich insights to drive innovation, change behavior and pioneer a new era of accountable marketing.

Syneos Health Communications is powered by Syneos Health, a global professional services organization designed to help the biopharmaceutical industry shorten the distance from lab to life.

WORK HERE MATTERS EVERYWHERE | How will you accelerate bringing new therapies to patients?

Syneos Health is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer (Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled) 

At  Syneos Health, we believe in providing an environment and culture in which Our People can thrive, develop and advance. We reward and recognize our people by providing valuable benefits and a quality-of-life balance.   The benefits for this position will include a competitive compensation package, Health benefits to include Medical, Dental and Vision, Company match 401k, eligibility to participate in Employee Stock Purchase Plan and flexible paid time off (PTO) and sick time. Because certain states and municipalities have regulated paid sick time requirements, eligibility for paid sick time may vary depending on where you work. Syneos complies with all applicable federal, state, and municipal paid sick time requirements.  

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $60,000 to $115,000.  The base salary range represents the anticipated low and high of the Syneos Health range for this position.  Actual salary will vary based on various factors such as the candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role.  In addition, some positions MAY include eligibility to earn commissions/bonus based on company and / or individual performance.

Syneos Health has a voluntary COVID-19 vaccination policy.  We strongly encourage all employees to be fully vaccinated.  Additionally, certain local governments or Syneos Health customers may have vaccine requirements that apply to some of our employees.  These employees are required tosubmit proof of vaccination to Syneos Health and maintain compliance with these requirements.