This is a fantastic opportunity to join a successful, growing healthcare communications agency. The successful candidate will get to work with a team of experienced, talented, like-minded professionals and will be empowered and supported to take a lead on key projects within the Learning & Development function of the business. They will also benefit from a competitive salary and benefits package, and a flexible working model that has been in place since the company’s conception.
Key function
The Account Director (AD) leads a client account, or set of accounts, up to £400K revenue, ensuring that they are profitable, and growing. The AD takes responsibility for the delivery of quality work that meets the client’s needs, accurately addresses the brief, and is delivered on time and on budget. They will do so through the effective management of their own team, setting team priorities and managing resource, and through their ability to develop strong client relationships and to lead and inspire others inside and outside the agency. The AD is involved with pitches for new business, approaching these with both a creative and commercial mindset and actively seeks and recommends new business opportunities.
Key responsibilities
Client
- Lead client accounts of up to £400K revenue, with overall responsibility for the client/agency relationship
- Take the strategic lead on client briefs, and provide strategic direction from kick off to campaign/project completion
- Lead client meetings / internal team meetings
- Push clients, and the agency, creatively and strategically to optimum performance, seeking support of Directors if required
- Proactively engage with and driving clients’ annual strategy through development of annual account planning
- Follow up on individual campaigns and projects to gain feedback and manage client satisfaction
- Ensure a working knowledge of the therapeutic landscape relevant to client accounts, allowing for informed discussion with, and advice to clients
- Maintain the high-quality of all deliverables through appropriate accuracy and quality checks – checking all items before they are sent to the client
Financial
- Ensure the profitability and growth of client accounts through accurate budgeting, monitoring of hours vs. budget and liaison with clients to agree additional budget where possible
- Ensure all projects are tracking to planned timelines and appropriately prioritised throughout the business
- Report key financial and team data to the agency’s senior leadership, finance and human resources departments specifically
- Monitor resource requirements for your accounts, notify the leadership team of any resourcing challenges and/or recruitment needs
- Maintain good financial processes for the accounts you lead, including: updating of CMAP with all relevant information
- Maintain good project management processes for the accounts you lead, including completing all CMAP task at the appropriate juncture e.g. Project set up from pipeline to close, end of month invoicing in liaison with the finance team, revenue recognition and client budget reconciliations
- Know the clients’ financial policies, particularly purchase orders, invoicing and payment terms – ensuring all company procedures are followed
- Identify, develop and convert new business opportunities with existing and future clients
Management
- Ensure a thorough knowledge of all relevant codes of practice and legislation covering communication with HCPs, payers, patients, third party groups and the public
- Manage the work, performance and professional development of team members
- Manage external service providers as required
- Share industry experience and expertise within the agency – across accounts where needed
- Comply with Makara Health policies and procedures, and demonstrate a personal commitment to their adherence and implementation
New business
- Proactively liaise with clients on a regular basis to identify new opportunities and drive business growth
- Proactively seek opportunities for organic growth across functions within the same company and through referrals from current clients
- Involvement in new business pitches, including research, proposal development and presentation at pitch
Essential skills/experience
- Minimum 10-years’ experience within the healthcare/pharma industry including relevant agency experience
- The ability to plan and strategise (e.g. marketing, communication, tactical and messaging strategy)
- A fantastic relationship builder with excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Outstanding team and project management skills
- Fully conversant with relevant software programmes e.g. PowerPoint, Excel and Word and with all relevant industry standards and codes of practice
To be considered for this exciting opportunity, please send your CV to careers@makarahealth.com