Bedrock Healthcare Communications spoke to our Senior Account Director Emma Marsh about how she started in medical communications, the challenges and rewards of her role, and what attracted her to Bedrock. And much more…
What got you interested in a career in MedComms?
It was serendipity, I had just moved back to my hometown and picked up a short-term contract working for a journal aimed at clinical commissioning groups (now integrated care systems). The editor-in-chief also owned a medical communications agency; when my contract ended, he and his business partner offered me a job as a Client Services Executive. I had no idea what medical communications was; it was leap of faith that has definitely paid off.
What’s your earlier background?
I have always had a passion for art and design, whilst also enjoying maths and physics at school. I struggled to decide what to study at university, so I completed a foundation diploma in art and design, prior to starting a degree in maths and physics. I enjoy having two seemingly opposed interests, that intersect and complement each other.
How would you describe Bedrock culture?
During my interview, I was drawn to the culture and values that my interviewers described; when I started at Bedrock I saw first-hand the values in practice. I felt at home immediately and that I could be myself. Every single employee lives by the values; we genuinely care about each other and the projects that we work on. We push ourselves to produce outstanding work, whilst maintaining a human approach, that, I believe really resonates with our clients.
What’s it like to be a Senior Account Director at Bedrock?
Being a Senior Account Director in medical communications is both challenging and incredibly rewarding. I’m responsible for managing client relationships, overseeing multiple projects, and ensuring everything runs smoothly from start to finish. It’s a mix of strategy, leadership, and problem-solving, with a focus on delivering high-quality work that aligns with our clients’ goals. One of the most fulfilling parts of the role is mentoring junior team members and helping them grow in their careers. It requires me to balance the needs of clients, whilst keeping the team motivated, and managing timelines and budgets. It’s a lot of responsibility, but seeing the impact we make on clients and the healthcare sector makes it all worth it.
What is the variety of work like?
The variety of work in medical communications is one of the things I love most about the field – every day is different. You get to work across a wide range of therapeutic areas and communication formats, from journal articles to creating digital content and coordinating events. The diversity keeps things exciting and constantly challenges me to learn new things, which makes it a really rewarding career choice.
Any advice for others thinking about medical communications as a career?
If you’re considering medical communications as a career, I’d say go for it. It’s a dynamic and rewarding field where you get to combine science with creativity, helping to communicate complex medical information in a clear and engaging way. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek guidance early on and always stay curious. It’s also a great idea to get involved in industry networks or groups, as building relationships with peers can be invaluable.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
I’m really fortunate to have such a supportive network of friends and family, and I love spending quality time with them whenever I can. I particularly enjoy spending time with my daughter; our favourite days are out in nature. I also love sketching and learning new crafts – although I have to admit I do have one too many half-finished projects stored away. I really enjoy heading into London and going to art galleries. I’ve been lucky enough to visit art galleries all over the world, one of my favourites is the Musee d’Orsay in Paris.
