Account Director - Health

About VML Health: Why We're Awesome (and Why You Should Care)

We're VML Health, part of the VML network – a global powerhouse in brand and customer experience. Basically, we connect creativity, tech, and culture to build brands that really resonate.

At VML Health, we're all about making a real difference in healthcare. We craft innovative solutions that drive meaningful change and improve patient outcomes. Our European hub is a buzzing center for collaboration, bringing together diverse talent to serve clients across the continent.

We're obsessed with leveraging the power of creativity and technology to solve complex challenges. We thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where new ideas are always welcome. Join us, push boundaries, and help shape the future of healthcare communications!

Strategic, visionary, and results-driven, the Account Director plays a pivotal role in leading senior client engagements, driving organic business growth, and delivering transformative healthcare communications. Acting as a trusted advisor to clients and an inspiring leader to cross-functional agency teams, this role drives overall account vision, creative excellence, team development, and financial profitability across every initiative.

The Role:

Role & Responsibilities:

• Build Senior Client Relationships: Cultivate and maintain long-term client relationships built on deep trust, credibility, and strategic partnership.
• Lead Strategic Account Growth: Collaborate with Strategy and Planning to transform client business objectives, scientific insights, and market dynamics into actionable communications strategies and tactics.
• Champion Creative & Brief Development: Co-develop and interrogate project briefs to ensure alignment with client objectives, regulations, and standards; partner actively with creative teams throughout development.
• Manage & Mentor Teams: Lead, motivate, and develop direct reports (Account Managers and Account Executives), delegating tasks appropriately, setting priorities, and supporting their professional growth.
• Drive Financial Performance & Viability: Oversee overall account profitability, budgeting, resource utilization, and forecasting, ensuring agency profitability while delivering high-value work on time and on budget.
• Mine New Business: Proactively identify and seize organic growth opportunities within existing client accounts and contribute to agency new business pitches.
• Pitch & Present Proposals: Confidently present, sell, defend, and negotiate agency strategic proposals and creative work with senior client stakeholders.
• Ensure Agency Supremacy: Collaborate seamlessly across all agency disciplines at the right time and manage client vendor relationships to maintain agency leadership.
• Executive Escalation & Reporting: Regularly inform the Group Director / Managing Partner on account health, performance, and key milestones, escalating issues as needed.

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Skills:

• Scientific Degree completed with Marketing/Economics specialization (or equivalent industry experience).
• 6+ years' experience in the medical communications / healthcare advertising industry, including a proven track record in a leadership role.
• Fluent in English with outstanding written, spoken, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office Tools (especially Excel and PowerPoint) and familiarity with CRM tools, e-commerce, paid search, and emerging digital media.
• Proven capability to develop, write, and deliver clear, persuasive briefs and collaborate effectively with creative teams.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience managing account P&L, resource forecasting, and agency profitability.
• Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills with a collaborative, solution-oriented approach in an integrated agency environment.