Catherine Lee

Name

Catherine Lee

Job Title

Editorial Group Director

Current Agency

Syneos Health

My qualifications

Degree in Health Studies from the University of Central Lancashire

My career path

Litmus Medical Communications, part of Syneos Health; 2017 to date; Editorial Group Director
Zoetic Science; Director of Editorial Operations - I was promoted from Medical Writer through to Scientific Director.
GW Pharma Ltd; Medical Affairs Project Leader.
Merck, Sharp & Dohme; Clinical Research Associate.
Ethical Pharmaceuticals (UK) Ltd, Clinical Trials Monitor

My first healthcare communications Agency role

I was being made redundant by a small pharma company. I’d largely worked in clinical trials management and a contact suggested GCC would be a good option to continue utilising my writing skills.

My typical week

I work with a colleague to juggle resourcing to ensure current and new projects are adequately supported. I am often excited to be developing a response to an RFP. I collaborate across the group and other divisions to ensure our teams are delivering to exceed client expectations whilst making sure my colleagues feel supported. I enjoy the challenges that come with medical communications projects as although similar everyone is different.

What advice would you give someone looking to join a healthcare comms Agency

Agencies can be very different so take your time to get to know them!  Consider the size of the organisation, the types of projects they deliver, therapy areas they specialise in but mostly assess whether the agency culture suits you.

My proudest moment

My first standalone meeting, a huge 2-day launch event in 2005 for a large Pharma client – a team of 7 onsite, we had to completely revise all slides the day before because the Chair decided he didn’t like the flow of information – it meant long, hard hours but we did it!

My greatest challenge or frustration

Modern communication tools! Emails and increasingly text messages are used to communicate regularly with clients but sometimes these can be open to interpretation, both in their meaning and intent. Working with clients with clients is all about building relationships so you can’t beat picking up the phone, or ideally having face to face meetings.

What 3 skills do you think are most important in your role?

Attention to detail, people focus, ability to grasp key concepts for new therapy areas with limited time and information.
 
Availability/presence (as I work remotely)

Where do you want to be in 5 years’ time?

Continuing to do my best, managing a high performing team, achieving incredible things for clients and flying the flag for flexible, remote working.
But remembering: team work makes the dream work.