Business, Strategy, and Communications

What are business, strategy, and communication roles?

Business, Strategy, and Communications professionals help organizations connect innovation with impact. While researchers and technical experts generate new knowledge, products, and solutions, professionals in these functions help determine how organizations grow, operate, engage stakeholders, and bring innovations to market. Their work supports decision-making, organizational planning, relationship building, and the effective communication of complex information. 

For individuals with strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, these careers offer opportunities to influence how organizations operate grow, operate, and create impact. Research-trained professionals are particularly well positioned to contribute by translating complex information into actional insights, supporting evidence-informed strategies, and bridging the gap between science, business, and society. 

Explore Business, Strategy, and Communication Roles

Discover what it means to work in business, strategy, and communications, and the common job qualifications!

Business Consultants

Business Consultants help organizations solve complex challenges, improve performance, and make informed decisions. They work with clients or internal teams to analyze problems, identify opportunities, evaluate options, and develop recommendations that support organizational goals. 

Their work involves gathering and analyzing information from a variety of sources, including organizational data, market research, stakeholder interviews, industry trends, and operational processes. Using these insights, they assess current practices, identify areas for improvement, and recommend strategies to enhance efficiency, support growth, manage change, or address emerging challenges. 

Business Consultants frequently work on projects related to organizational strategy, operations, program evaluation, process improvement, innovation, market analysis, and business transformation. They collaborate with leaders and stakeholders to understand priorities, define objectives, and develop solutions that are practical, evidence-informed, and aligned with organizational needs. 

A significant part of the role involves communicating findings and recommendations to diverse audiences. This may include preparing reports, presentations, business cases, and strategic plans, as well as facilitating workshops and discussions with stakeholders. Strong relationship-building skills are essential, as consultants often work with individuals across different teams, disciplines, and organizational levels. 

For individuals with graduate or postdoctoral research experience, business consulting offers an opportunity to apply analytical and problem-solving skills in a broad range of settings. Many of the core competencies developed through research training, including critical thinking, data analysis, project management, and the ability to communicate complex information clearly, are highly transferable to consulting roles. 

  • Degree requirements vary by organization and sector. Many Business Consultants hold master’s, doctoral, or professional degrees in fields such as business, science, engineering, healthcare, economics, public policy, or related disciplines. 
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems and develop practical recommendations 
  • Experience conducting research, data analysis, or program evaluation 
  • Strong communication and presentation skills 
  • Experience working with multiple stakeholders and managing competing priorities 
  • Familiarity with business strategy, operations, healthcare, technology, or other relevant sectors is often considered an asset 
  • Strategic analysis – Ability to assess complex situations, identify key issues, and develop evidence-informed recommendations
  • Problem-solving – Capacity to evaluate challenges, consider multiple perspectives, and identify practical solutions
  • Data analysis – Ability to interpret qualitative and quantitative information and translate findings into actionable insights
  • Communication – Skill in presenting complex information clearly and effectively through reports, presentations, and discussions
  • Stakeholder engagement – Ability to build relationships, facilitate conversations, and work collaboratively with diverse groups
  • Project management – Skills in organizing tasks, managing timelines, and coordinating project activities
  • Business acumen – Understanding of how organizations operate and the factors that influence performance, growth, and decision-making
  • Research and synthesis – Ability to gather information from multiple sources, identify key themes, and develop well-supported conclusions
  • Adaptability – Capacity to work across different projects, industries, and organizational contexts while responding to evolving priorities
  • Professional judgment – Ability to balance evidence, stakeholder needs, and practical considerations when developing recommendations

Medical Writer

Medical Writers are responsible for communicating scientific, clinical, and medical information in clear, accurate, and accessible formats for a variety of audiences. They play an important role in translating complex research findings, clinical data, and technical information into documents that support research, regulatory submissions, education, communication, and decision-making across healthcare and life sciences organizations. 

Medical Writers work in a range of settings, including pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, medical device organizations, contract research organizations (CROs), healthcare institutions, scientific communication agencies, and consulting firms. Depending on the role, they may contribute to scientific publications, clinical study reports, regulatory documents, educational materials, conference presentations, medical information resources, and other scientific communications. 

Their work involves reviewing scientific literature, synthesizing evidence from multiple sources, interpreting research findings, and organizing information into clear, concise, and audience-appropriate formats. Medical Writers often collaborate with scientists, clinicians, researchers, statisticians, regulatory specialists, and medical affairs teams to ensure that scientific content is accurate, balanced, and aligned with project objectives. 

A significant aspect of the role involves tailoring information for different audiences. This may include preparing highly technical documents for regulatory agencies and scientific experts, or creating educational and communication materials for healthcare professionals, patients, or broader audiences. Strong attention to detail is essential, as medical writers are responsible for ensuring accuracy, consistency, clarity, and adherence to relevant guidelines and standards. 

For individuals with graduate or postdoctoral research experience, medical writing offers an opportunity to remain closely connected to science while focusing on communication rather than conducting research directly. Many of the skills developed through research training, including literature review, critical appraisal, data interpretation, and scientific writing, are highly transferable to this career path.

  • Medical Writer positions often require a master’s degree, PhD, PharmD, MD, or other advanced degree in a scientific, health, or biomedical field. 
  • Experience writing scientific or technical documents 
  • Strong understanding of scientific research methods and data interpretation 
  • Demonstrated ability to synthesize information from multiple sources 
  • Excellent written communication and editing skills 
  • Familiarity with clinical research, healthcare, regulatory, or scientific publishing environments is often considered an asset 
  • Scientific writing – Ability to communicate complex scientific and medical information clearly, accurately, and concisely
  • Literature review and synthesis – Skill in evaluating research evidence and integrating findings from multiple sources into coherent narratives
  • Data interpretation – Ability to understand research findings, analyze results, and accurately communicate key conclusions
  • Attention to detail – Capacity to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to scientific and regulatory standards
  • Communication – Ability to adapt information for different audiences while maintaining scientific integrity
  • Editing and document development – Skills in organizing content, refining messaging, and producing high-quality written materials
  • Collaboration – Experience working effectively with subject matter experts, researchers, clinicians, and other stakeholders
  • Project management – Ability to manage multiple writing projects, deadlines, and revisions simultaneously
  • Critical thinking – Capacity to evaluate evidence, identify key messages, and communicate balanced interpretations of scientific information
  • Adaptability – Ability to learn new scientific topics, work across therapeutic areas or disciplines, and respond to evolving project needs

Resources to help you land a business, strategy, or communications role

Access essential resources to support you at every stage of your journey toward securing a business, strategy, or communications role!

The Graduate Management Consulting Association (GMCA) supports students and PDRs interested in management consulting. They host information sessions, case challenges, career panels, networking events, and more.

The University Consulting Group (UCG) is a non-profit organization that provides students with an opportunity to gain practical industry consulting experience and mentorship, while working on projects for clients in the non-profit and social sector.

GMCA Business Fundamentals is a 10-week online course designed to provide graduate students and PDRs with an introduction to business concepts. Individuals will apply their learned concepts to a business problem in a case competition judged by consultants and industry

The Science to Business Network (S2BN) hosts workshops and networking events aimed at helping students and postdocs who are interested in commercialization, entrepreneurship, and career paths outside of academia in their career-related development and transitions.

The Intellectual Proporty Education Program at the University of Toronto is a free, online training program to provide a broad foundation in intellectual property (IP).

The Health Innovation Hub (H2i) at the University of Toronto offers a range of programming to help you at various stages of your innovation career, including Ideation Programs, Hacks, and Huddles.

A University of Toronto student initiative created to bridge the gap between academia and industry. LSCDS hosts networking events, mentorship programs, industry team case studies, career seminar series, and more.

A series of videos covering career development topics, including how to convert your CV to a resume, questions to ask when networking, job searching tips, how to use LinkedIn, networking tips for introverts, how to prepare for interviews, and more.

Skillsoft Percipio Learning Platform is a free virtual learning platform for TeamUHN that offers self‑paced courses and live classes to help build skills in leadership, business, communication, and more. The platform also includes training and educational content that can be applied toward the Project Management Institute’s requirements for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification!

Disclosure: This resource is provided for informational purposes only. All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and clarity of the content; however, specific details, requirements, and expectations may vary across institutions and positions. Readers should always consult individual job postings or official organizational resources for the most current and authoritative information. 

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