Freelance Editor

Description

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.

*This role will support our Santa Monica team so must be willing to work PST hours.

Responsibilities

• 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

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

The anticipated hourly rate for this position is $30 but may vary based on various factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies and proficiency for the role.

At GSW, 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 is a full-service healthcare communications agency that goes beyond advertising to create personalized brand experiences that involve, inspire, educate and activate people through ongoing brand journeys. As one of the world's ten most-awarded healthcare advertising agencies, GSW is hell-bent not to replace the same old with the same old. This is achieved through a provocative premise - if other brands communicated the way healthcare brands do, how many customers would they have? GSW turns against this premise through discovery of beneath-the-surface customer insights that we impact with stories, simplicity and authenticity.

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Syneos Health companies are affirmative action/equal opportunity employers (Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled)

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 to submit proof of vaccination to Syneos Health and maintain compliance with these requirements.
As a Syneos Health freelance, temporary, or contract employee, you may be eligible to participate in the Company 401k match and benefits such as paid time off or benefits through provisions in the Affordable Care Act or State-specific requirements depending on the terms of your employment. Syneos Health complies with all applicable federal, state, and municipal paid sick time requirements for temporary/freelance/contract employees.