From a PM standpoint, what really makes pharma advertising so different?

As an non-pharma PM, my guess is that there’s a lot more legal reviews and approval processes, strict creative guidelines to adhere to, etc. Am I missing something or over simplifying?

Recently, I’ve seen a handful of open roles that I’m perfectly qualified for—except when I get to the bottom of the job description and it says “previous pharma experience required.” Like really, my 10+ years in agencies is worthless here?

likefunny
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Yes, lots of additional levels of review, heavy science, high stakes if things are messed up ($$), crazy launch schedules (I’ve worked launches that are a week straight of 18 hour days). It’s a different beast. Can you be successful without? Yes absolutely. But there’s a lot of industry specific knowledge required to be “good” and manage an account independently. I’d rather work with a PM with 2 years pharma experience than an SPM with none.

likehelpful

Really helpful perspective of comparison. Thank you!

like

It’s very different. It takes a LONG time for non-pharma PMs to get up to speed, even if they are otherwise great PMs with lots of experience. I’m still learning constantly after two years.
Also, the work is dreadfully boring, but that’s another matter.

likehelpful

I worked in pharma for 3 years. Prior I had no pharma experience, but over 10 years in agency world. I countered their requirement of pharma experience by researching the different types of pharma advertising, what’s the process, etc. I was also open to learning and training. It all worked.

likehelpful

It’s not that your 10+ years are worthless. It’s that it’s different. Most of the comments here addressed it but there are not only more strict rules and regulations but differences in process and nuances that really do require experience. It can be boring work depending on what you work on but also exciting if you’re lucky enough to work on brands with clients who want to push the envelope with creative. It’s almost like a fun challenge to create under more strict guidelines. And launches, those are their own beasts. I have a theory that the FDA likes to mess with pharma companies by giving them approvals on Fridays at 4:55 PM knowing full well they’ll have to work the weekend to get their “now approved” and day 0 materials done.

Anyway, in interviews, I don’t just look for people who have pharma experience, I’m looking for those who have the drive and motivation to want to learn and get their hands dirty to get sh*t done. Process can be taught. Drive cannot.

Good luck! I hope all this helps!

helpfullikefunny

If you love you life, dont come to Phrama Advertising.

- Its more like being a Scrum Master than a PM
- Hours are mostly crazy and the rest are insane
- You end up working 60-80hrs a week, effectively making your salary 50% of its supposed to be
- Lots of process to learn but once its done (took me less than 1yr) it very boring

likehelpful

Amen

like

Toxicity. I enjoy the WLB on the client side. Toxicity meaning long work hours. Pitches & it’s not because it’s Q4. It’s normal.

upliftinghelpful

If you have 10+ years of agency experience and are a good Sr PM who has worked on complex projects you’d be fine moving into Pharma and are totally qualified. Yes, there are regulations and some different steps to take but the majority of it is the same workflow and responsibilities. If you’re curious, ask questions, and understand that it’s a regulated environment, it shouldn’t take you a long time to get up to speed. Where I do agree with people is that it’s not fun, sexy work – both the PM role and the content produced. Having worked on both pharma and non-pharm, if you don’t have a compelling reason to go pharma, I wouldn’t recommend it.

helpful

Related Posts

What would be considered great operating exit ops at startups coming from VC?

like

Has anyone made the transition from non-profit and small firm practice to federal government, big law, in-house? I’m a special education parent attorney at a small firm and I’ve spent my legal career in the education and juvenile areas of the law working for 2 non-profits before ending up at the firm. However, I’m just exhausted, unmotivated, and and looking for a change. At this point (6.5 yrs of practice), is that type of transition even possible or am I stuck due to the practice area?

like

£50k TC, 2.6YoE working within the change arm of a bank ——- what do experienced fishes think is a good next move for someone like myself? Might want to move into consulting one day with ultimate aim of MBB but also enjoy technical coding work, particularly in credit risk / counterparty credit risk in banking — could use some fresh perspective ; quite confused atm as interested in many things! Don’t mind staying in change management either TIA - appreciate any advise

like

I just got into reading books, any suggestions to start with? Which could help to increase media/marketing knowledge.

like

Hi Fishes,

I am B.tech graduate and currently working in BPO sector in Accenture. I am looking to switch to an IT profile but having zero experience in IT sector. Please suggest how can I switch.

Need advice—torn btwn Booth and Sloan.

Already work in mgmt. consulting but looking to do either consulting or ibanking post-MBA (have only been at company for 1 year so not sponsored and may or may not return to my company).

Have $60K scholarship at Booth, nothing at Sloan. However, I already went to UChicago undergrad and live in Boston so have an established network here. However, concerned about lack of soft skills/leadership development, focus on academics, nerdy culture at Sloan.

like

Is sap analyst a good career path and how does the demand look like currently?

like

What designation i can expect iat Capgemini of joining as a Lateral?

I have total 11.5 YoE

like

Hi All, What would be the ideal experience and expected CTC for first switch as SAP ABAP developer?
Experience : 1 year 10 months
CCTC : 4.4LPA
Also, please let me know what would be the skills expected with this much experience.

like

I have recently received an offer from HSBC for Data Engineer profile. The designation offered is Senior Analyst- Information Management. They said that it is a techno functional role. Does anyone have an idea about what techno functional role actually is in HSBC? Is it more like a Business Analyst? My prior experience is completely in Technical side. Will this role be suitable for me?

Any suggestion is highly appreciated. Thank you.

Hey! I’m from Spain, and I’m thinking about find a job overseas, maybe in central america or southeast asia… I have experience in finance consulting… do you have any recommendation, contact or tip that could help me?

I don’t know if try to find a job first and move then, or move out first and find a job from there.

Thanks!

like

Hi fishes,

I got selected for sps T4, however I'm uncertain about the job role , if anyone could give insight about how the role is and what are the growth opportunities it would be great!

Thanks in advance!!! 😊

likehelpful

Hi Fishes ,

Can anyone please suggest quickest and easiest way to clear AWS cloud foundation certification ?

like

Looking to get back into SaaS sales after a few year hiatus. Any tips or recommendations to ramp myself back into SaaS sales? Any podcast or books, etc?

like

What are some exit ops, from Deloitte tech consulting for a C/SC in Toronto? Also expected salary increases?

like

Heading to business school to recruit for IB, but I don’t have a background in accounting, m&a, or financial modeling. Any recommendations for trainings/courses or books to help me get up to speed?

like

Wanna a learn Data Science cource.Anya vs suggestions please

like

3 years of experience as a corporate lawyer.
Expecting an offer from both Deloitte India and Capgemini.
Deloitte India - Senior Consultant
Capgemini - Associate Consultant

Capgemini has verbally promised me 9 LPA but the offer is yet to be released.
Deloitte India has not yet communicated any offer, neither verbal nor formal.

I am more inclined towards joining Deloitte India as it is a bigger position than Capgemini.

Am I on the right track?

What are good exit opportunities that exist for someone who has worked 1 yr as an analyst at a boutique firm?

like

More Posts

What's the market salary range for an Sr. Analyst role whose working as a project management responsibilities for India and Global team?

like

Welcome and post your queries about offers here for our experts to provide their opinion.

like

SVP group client partner in NYC, Health agency. What do I ask for?

like

How much time will it take for background verification in PWC?

Any photojournalists around? How did you start getting consistent work as a freelancer?

likesmart
like

Trying to register for a new exam in webassessor and it is only giving option to select Academic Alliance. Any one else faced this?

like
like

"Can you make it feel more like blueberries taste?" ACCOUNT TO CREATIVE

likefunnyhelpful

In my department at work, we have always taken turns working on the holidays and been pretty flexible. Well, we’re really understaffed this year and several new employees are young parents. So, I offered to cover Thanksgiving and Christmas to help them out. But now I’m feeling super resentful. Any tips on getting through the next month without shooting daggers at them?

likeuplifting

any telltale signs of layoffs in tiger?

like

Stupid question but getting a divorce now and having a hard time figuring out what to do with sentimental things such as wedding pictures, travel pics, ornaments we bought together, etc. What did you do? Relationship was over 12 years and don’t know what to do. Should I jus pretend that those 12 years never happened or she was not there?

Divorce is amicable and based on growing apart rather than bc of cheating or fighting or anything else..

830 AM hearings should be a violation of the eighth amendment

like

How many people do you manage? What’s your company’s ratio of Resource Manager to Talent?

like

Does anyone know the salary/TC ranges for data scientists at C3.ai? I have an offer likely coming in this week for a senior data scientist in Washington DC and was curious about what to expect at this stage. Thanks in advance for the help!

like

My yearly appraisal in on the way. I worked for the same client for the last year but in 3 different projects. I received client appreciations in all 3 projects and in addition I also helped my account in creating proposals, etc. What should I expect in terms of rating and monitory appraisal. Would be thankful to any genuine advice.

like

I have been selected in Amdocs last week and also submitted all my documents. How much time does it takes to release the offer letter. HR told me that it takes around 1 week to get all the approvals and then she will release the offer letter.
Please provide feedback. Amdocs

I’m new on the job search and still employed. I’m looking to grow further in the logistics industry. While I look for work, it’s a bit discouraging seeing how hundreds of people apply for positions I see on LinkedIn. I still apply because you never know and AI plays a huge effect in selections. Should I even bother applying when there are more than 100 applications?

like

Additional Posts in Project Management - Advertising

Any PMs have experience with moving off of Advantage (aka Webvantage aka Aqua) and onto a different PMS? Toying with the idea to suggest a move to Kantata/MavenLink.

I applied for a PM role at TikTok over a month ago and my application status has been “Evaluation Passed” for several weeks but I haven’t been contacted about any next steps. Is it typical to wait this long to hear anything?

like

Doing some career planning and wanted some advice. I have 4 years for project management experience in production and I just started PMing at an ad agency.

1.How long should I stay in this position before making my next move?
2. What should my next move be?! (Stay in the company and try to scale up or move on.)
3. Would getting my PMP at this point be helpful?

like

Has anyone joined the new "Women of PM" community?

Wondering how it might be different from the Bureau of Digital or DPM communities an if it's worth the fees.

like

For anyone going temp-to-perm or anyone who already has, did you negotiate anything into your temp contract about revisiting the option for perm? ie, say, in 6 months, discuss perm options? Thanks!!

What are typical PM title structures? I know they are a bit different everywhere. I’m building a team from the ground up and am curious what other agencies and in house teams look like. Thanks!

like

Any PMs have experience working with HUGE and know if they are remote or going remote full time?

like

How valuable or important are scrum skills in the current market?

like

I might need a freelance PM w/ creative resource experience or just a creative resources manager. Mid to senior level. Fully remote but must work CA hours.

If you might be right, DM me your LinkedIn link?

like

Any Publicis PMs go to TBWA\Chiat\Day LA? How was your experience with that transition?

like

How did you all get your first job in PM? Did you start as a Project Coordinator or PM? I have the skills of a Project Coordinator and would like to just transition to a PM role but it’s been difficult to find junior PM roles.

like

I’m the only PM in my company. We work with custom automation in Michigan. I’m a recent graduate in mechanical engineering but I have 6+ in business and a degree on it. My question is, is 60k too little? Some of my friends are telling me that I was lowballed.

like

A few good threads this month. Thanks all for putting it out there

Post Photo
like

Anyone looking for a PM with a coding/QA background, retail/e-commerce/pharma experience; open to hearing about new roles.

like

I currently work on the account management side at an agency and looking for some professional development tools/courses to help our account managers (and myself) with project management skills. Anything you would recommend? I know about Google’s course. Anything else?

like
like

Hi All- I’m looking for a super simple time tracking platform to integrate with Asana for a team of 5. All we need it for is to see how much time is going into different projects that our department is managing. That’s it. No billing/invoicing/don’t care about time sheets, etc. We just need the ability to track and pull a report at the end of each month. Anyone have recommendations?

like

Guys, I have an offer for a PM role. Just wondering is £85k is reasonable. Crossing over as someone with 5YOE in a related field.

like

What does your PM "ladder" look like? What titles do you have at your agency for the project management team?

like

Pro Tip:
Make it SOP to have a debrief session calendared directly after major meetings, can be 10 mins

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal