Editor-in-Chief

Description
About Norstella

At Norstella, our mission is simple: to help our clients bring life-saving therapies to market quicker—and help patients in need. Founded in 2022, but with history going back to 1939, Norstella unites best-in-class brands to help clients navigate the complexities at each step of the drug development life cycle—and get the right treatments to the right patients at the right time. Each organization (Citeline, Evaluate, MMIT, Panalgo, The Dedham Group) delivers must-have answers for critical strategic and commercial decision-making. Together, via our market-leading brands, we help our clients:

Citeline – accelerate the drug development cycle
Evaluate – bring the right drugs to market
MMIT – identify barriers to patient access
Panalgo – turn data into insight faster
The Dedham Group – think strategically for specialty therapeutics
By combining the efforts of each organization under Norstella, we can offer an even wider breadth of expertise, cutting-edge data solutions and expert advisory services alongside advanced technologies such as real-world data, machine learning and predictive analytics. As one of the largest global pharma intelligence solution providers, Norstella has a footprint across the globe with teams of experts delivering world class solutions in the USA, UK, The Netherlands, Japan, China and India.

The Role

Norstella is looking for a creative and enthusiastic Editor-in-Chief to lead its multi-award-winning editorial team in central London. Reporting to the VP, News & Insights, the successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the revered 160-year-old Chemist+Druggist (C+D) publishing brand – from its award-winning breaking news and analysis, to its podcasts, peer-to-peer C+D Community platform and the industry-leading C+D Awards. C+D has built a strong news operation with a loyal and engaged audience. The next phase is about adding data-informed analysis and insight to that news output: content that goes further, carries more authority, and gives advertisers and readers alike stronger reasons to stay. The goal is to raise the quality and depth of what C+D publishes, not to replace the news agenda that has built its audience. The incoming Editor-in-Chief will own that evolution, working alongside commercial and product teams to grow both the audience and the business.

Key Responsibilities

Editorial Strategy and Direction

Define and own the editorial vision, ensuring content is authoritative, data-informed, and clearly differentiated from competitors
Produce and maintain a documented content strategy covering audience, value proposition, and the formats and coverage areas that drive the strongest engagement, with quarterly progress reports shared with the VP, News and Insights
Build on a strong news operation by layering in data-led analysis and insight content using C+D Data and C+D Intelligence
Maintain editorial standards, accuracy, and independence across all output
Track engagement closely and use audience data to inform editorial decisions, not just report on them
Data, Measurement and Analytics

Build and own editorial measurement frameworks: establish engagement baselines, select meaningful metrics, and use data to inform decisions rather than confirm them after the fact
Embed audience analytics into day-to-day editorial planning: time on page, return visit rate, article completion, social engagement
Lead integration of C+D Data and C+D Intelligence into editorial workflows and content output
Develop data journalism as an editorial capability, creating formats that add clear value to the audience and that competitors cannot easily replicate
Leadership and Team Development

Lead and develop a team of 5–7 editorial professionals across news, clinical, digital and community functions
Set clear goals for each team member, hold regular 1:1s, and ensure ongoing development conversations
Build team capability in AI tools and data journalism as part of the standard editorial toolkit
Be a credible editorial figurehead both inside the business and externally
Commercial and Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with Commercial and Client teams to develop content that supports advertiser relationships without compromising editorial credibility
Take personal accountability for originating and delivering at least one revenue-supporting editorial initiative per half: sponsored content, commercial partnerships, or event tie-ins, in active collaboration with the commercial team
Contribute to product development, particularly the C+D Intelligence roadmap, identifying where editorial can add or extract value
Work with digital engagement and marketing teams to build audience and extend reach, including on new platforms
Represent editorial in senior leadership discussions and with external stakeholders including pharmacy bodies, industry associations, and clients
C+D Awards

Serve as editorial lead for the C+D Awards, the sector’s premier annual recognition event for community pharmacy professionals and teams, and an important brand and commercial platform for C+D
Maintain the editorial credibility and independence that makes the Awards trusted by the sector
Work with the commercial and events team to grow the Awards’ profile and reach year-on-year
Use the Awards to build and strengthen relationships with pharmacy bodies, industry groups, and key clients
Audience, Community and CPD/Revalidation

Sustain and develop the publication’s relationship with the UK community pharmacy audience
Oversee C+D Community as a distinct editorial and engagement channel
Treat CPD and revalidation content as a genuine priority: pharmacists’ revalidation requirements are regulatory, and C+D’s revalidation offer serves both the audience and the business
Collaborate with the marketing team on bi-seasonal revalidation campaigns to drive traffic and community engagement
Requirements

Essential

Proven senior editorial leadership in B2B, trade, or specialist media, with P&L or revenue awareness
Track record of developing editorial output: raising quality, broadening formats, introducing data or analysis capability alongside a core news operation
Comfortable building editorial measurement frameworks from scratch: setting baselines, choosing the right metrics, and acting on what the data shows
Strong grounding in digital publishing, SEO, audience analytics, and digital and newsletter strategy
Commercially aware: understands advertising-funded media models, is comfortable working with sales and client teams, and takes ownership of revenue-supporting activity
Works well across functions: builds productive relationships with commercial, product, and technology colleagues without compromising editorial judgement
Experienced people manager with a track record of developing editorial teams across different specialisms
High editorial standards: accuracy, sourcing, legal awareness, and ethical judgement
Desirable

Experience in healthcare, pharmacy, life sciences, or another regulated professional media sector
Familiarity with data journalism tools or business intelligence platforms
Experience in a multi-brand or portfolio media organisation
Track record of developing editorial products such as newsletters, intelligence reports, or data-led content formats
Experience leading an industry awards programme editorially
Benefits

25 days annual leave, 4 days for volunteering and a personal day
5% pension match
Group Life Assurance (100% employer funded)
Group Income Protection (100% employer funded)
Other voluntary benefits such as: Dental, Cash Plan, Mortgage Advice, Discount Platform, Health Screening & Critical Illness
Norstella is an equal opportunity employer. All job applicants will receive equal treatment regardless of race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), marital or domestic partner status, military or veteran status, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, reproductive health decision making, or any other protected characteristic as established by federal, state, or local law.

Sometimes the best opportunities are hidden by self-doubt. We disqualify ourselves before we have the opportunity to be considered. Regardless of where you came from, how you identify, or the path that led you here—you are welcome. If you read this job description and feel passion and excitement, we’re just as excited about you.

All legitimate roles with Norstella will be posted on Norstella’s job board which is located at norstella.com/careers. If a role is not posted on this job board, a candidate should assume the role is not a legitimate role with Norstella. Norstella is not responsible for an application that may be submitted by or through a third-party and candidates should proceed with extreme caution if a third-party approaches them about an open role with Norstella. Norstella will never ask for anything of value or any type of payment during or as part of any recruitment, interview, or pre-hire onboarding process. If you are aware of or have reason to believe a job posting purportedly for a role with Norstella is fraudulent or otherwise not authorized by Norstella, please contact the Company using the following email address: ApplicationHelp@norstella.com.