Account Director

Reports to Associate Vice President & Senior Account Director

Location: United Kingdom 

Job Summary

Working as an Account Director as part of an Account Management team, alongside Medical Writers and a Creative team, to manage our client's requirements and deliver their projects.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Taking full ownership of the communications program for each client, ranging from strategic input to day-to-day management of tactics (based on the specific needs for each account)
• Ensuring optimal financial management of each account and demonstrate a clear understanding of all financial processes within the business
• Monitoring forecast and plans in conjunction with Senior Account Managers, Account Managers and Account Executives to ensure business objectives are met, on time and within budget.
• Ensuring the finance team is kept up to date with all relevant information and manage financial issues in a timely manner
• Keeping a thorough understanding of the clients’ business objectives, product strategy and relevant therapeutic area. Clear communication of this to all internal team members, as relevant
• Having an in depth understanding of the relevant NHS organisations, policies and processes that impact upon the business
• Taking responsibility for building and maintaining professional relationships with opinion leaders (industry and NHS)
• Managing and influence senior-level client contacts and maintain positive working relationships, immediately identifying any issues and leading remedial action, as required
• Promoting OPEN Health Medical Communications services to all clients, identifying new business opportunities
• Highlighting key issues to the GAD or Partner regarding key accounts and the account team, as appropriate
• Ensuring understanding and implementation of all OPEN Health Medical Communications procedures and quality standards across all account team members
• Ensuring all account team members take ownership for their business and appropriate levels of responsibility
• Supporting the GAD/Partner as a senior member of the team
• Ensuring the GAD/Partner is kept up to date on client activities
• Contributing to discussions regarding overall company strategy
• Coordinating effectively and efficiently with appropriate members of the team
• Ensuring effective cross-company working on integrated accounts, where appropriate
• Supporting the development and training of Account Executives, Account Managers and Senior Account Managers
• Line managing AMs, SAEs, AEs, where appropriate

Experience, Skills, and Qualifications

• Graduate in life sciences (ideally biomedical), higher degree (PhD) preferred
• Experience as a Senior Account Manager in a medcomms, healthcare agency or pharma environment
• Thorough understanding of the client’s therapeutic area and ability to provide strategic input
• Strong understanding of science and medicine, the healthcare environment and the Medical Education/Comms industry
• Manager, trainer, delegator
• Strong leadership skills
• Approachability
• Significant experience in a healthcare agency or pharmaceutical company role
• Excellent project management and analytical skills
• Financial acumen
• Ability to multitask and prioritise; excellent time management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Competent in using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook
• Sound understanding of the ABPI code of practice

Travel Requirements

• As required by business needs