Account Director

Are you an established Account Director looking for a role where you can truly influence client strategy, drive account growth and operate as a senior leader within a global healthcare communications agency?

This is an opportunity to join a highly regarded specialist agency that partners with healthcare, pharmaceutical and life sciences organisations to deliver strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, learning and event programmes on a global scale.

With an impressive international client portfolio and a collaborative, entrepreneurial culture, the agency combines strategic thinking, creativity and flawless execution to help clients solve complex challenges and create meaningful impact.

As Account Director, you'll take ownership of key client accounts, leading strategic direction, strengthening senior relationships and driving commercial growth, while overseeing the delivery of high-quality, multi-channel programmes.

Everything you need to know about the role

As Account Director, you'll operate as the senior lead across your accounts - responsible not only for delivery but for shaping client partnerships and identifying opportunities to grow and evolve the work.

You'll build a deep understanding of your clients' business objectives and challenges, acting as a trusted advisor and ensuring all activity aligns with their wider strategic goals. Alongside this, you'll play an important role in driving both organic growth and new business opportunities through proposals, pitches and strategic recommendations.

Internally, you'll lead cross-functional teams spanning strategy, creative, production and client services, ensuring projects are delivered seamlessly, to the highest standards and with strong commercial oversight.

This role sits at the intersection of client leadership, strategic thinking and commercial accountability, offering genuine influence both on accounts and within the wider business.

Key responsibilities include:

• Acting as the senior point of contact across key healthcare and life sciences accounts, building strong, trusted client relationships
• Developing a deep understanding of client business challenges and translating these into strategic communications approaches
• Leading strategic direction across accounts, ensuring all work aligns with client objectives and delivers measurable value
• Driving account growth through identifying opportunities, leading proposals and supporting new business initiatives
• Working closely with clients and internal teams to develop impactful communications, engagement, learning and event programmes
• Overseeing the delivery of complex, multi-workstream projects while maintaining exceptional quality standards
• Leading and motivating cross-functional teams, ensuring strong collaboration across strategy, creative, production and client services
• Mentoring and developing junior team members, providing ongoing coaching and support to enhance team performance
• Managing account financials, including forecasting, budgeting and revenue targets
• Ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest standards while proactively identifying and resolving challenges
• Supporting the agency's continued growth through strategic thinking, client leadership and commercial awareness

Experience and qualities that make you a strong fit

You'll be an experienced Account Director or Senior Account Director with a proven ability to lead client relationships, manage complex programmes and contribute to account growth.

You'll combine strong strategic thinking with commercial awareness and feel comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment where you're empowered to take ownership and make an impact.

You'll be equally confident engaging senior stakeholders, shaping strategy and ensuring operational excellence across delivery.

You'll bring:

• 7+ years' experience within a communications, healthcare, life sciences, marketing, medical education, events or specialist agency environment
• A strong track record of building and growing senior client relationships
• Experience leading strategic discussions and acting as a trusted advisor to clients
• Proven experience supporting business development activities, including proposals, pitches and RFP responses
• Excellent commercial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting and account management responsibilities
• Strong project leadership experience overseeing multiple concurrent workstreams
• Outstanding presentation, storytelling and communication skills
• Experience leading, mentoring and developing team members
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach with strong problem-solving abilities
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Confidence working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams
• Strong written, verbal and stakeholder management skills

What's on offer?

• Competitive salary of £55,000 - £75,000 depending on experience
• Hybrid working model with three days per week in a London office
• The opportunity to work with globally recognised healthcare, pharmaceutical and life sciences organisations
• Exposure to international projects and strategic programmes with real business impact
• A collaborative, supportive and entrepreneurial culture where ideas are encouraged and valued
• Genuine opportunities for career progression within a growing business
• Ongoing training, mentoring and professional development opportunities
• The chance to influence client strategy, drive account growth and contribute to the future success of the agency
• A welcoming and inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives and encourages innovation

Could this be the role for you?

If you're an experienced Account Director looking for a role with real strategic influence, commercial responsibility and the opportunity to work within a globally connected healthcare communications agency, this could be an excellent next step.

Please apply below or send your CV and a brief cover letter to lucy@carrotrecruitment.com.