Health Strategy Lead

About Ruder Finn and Role Overview

Ruder Finn ranks among the largest independent global communications and integrated marketing agencies, celebrated for innovative ideas, strategic expertise, and a progressive culture. The agency has received multiple accolades including Large Agency of the Year at the 2026 PRWeek U.S. Awards and recognition as one of the Best Places to Work by PRWeek. They are currently seeking a Health Strategy Lead who will spearhead strategic thinking across a spectrum of healthcare and life sciences clients.

This position is tasked with uncovering critical human, cultural, market, and business insights that fuel pioneering communications, brand development, and engagement strategies for healthcare organizations. The Health Strategy Lead transforms intricate challenges into clear strategic guidance ensuring creative initiatives are evidence-based, distinct in the market, and able to generate measurable business and reputational successes.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior strategic planning leadership across various healthcare clients, serving as a principal advisor in crafting insights and strategies that spark creative ideation and integrated solutions.
• Apply the agency’s strategic planning framework consistently in client projects and new business pitches to develop brand communications strategies.
• Create insight-driven communication strategies aligning with clients’ business goals to produce innovative and culturally relevant creative programs.
• Analyze market dynamics, stakeholder research, cultural trends, competition, and audience insights to formulate practical communication recommendations.
• Collaborate closely with account teams, creatives, digital specialists, and analytics for strategic alignment in all client work.
• Lead research and analytics briefs and develop creative briefs to guide creative teams effectively.
• Conduct strategic workshops, facilitate messaging and positioning exercises, and craft brand narratives with clients and cross-functional teams.
• Design messaging architectures, audience segmentation frameworks, communication platforms, campaign structures, and measurement strategies.
• Identify and incorporate emerging trends in healthcare, AI, technology, media, and culture to enhance client strategies.
• Offer strategic counsel during product launches, data disclosures, regulatory events, crisis management, and reputation initiatives.
• Mentor teams to elevate strategic thinking, storytelling, and insight development within the healthcare practice.
• Lead business development efforts by creating strategies, leading discovery meetings, contributing to pitches, and presenting to prospective clients.
• Partner with senior leadership to explore growth opportunities, introduce new services, and innovate across the healthcare portfolio.
• Advocate for the use of AI, analytics, research, and emerging technologies to optimize strategic planning and client outcomes.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 12 years’ strategic planning experience within an agency environment specializing in healthcare.
• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Business, Life Sciences, Public Health, or a related discipline.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the healthcare ecosystem encompassing pharmaceuticals, biotech, medical devices, payers, providers, and patient advocacy.
• Proven leadership skills as an inspiring mentor and strategist.
• Experienced in developing integrated communications strategies across various healthcare product lifecycle stages.
• A thorough understanding of healthcare audiences including professionals, patients, caregivers, advocates, policy makers, investors, and employees.
• Skilled in leveraging audience research, data analytics, cultural insights, and market intelligence for strategy formulation.
• Excellent presentation, facilitation, and storytelling capabilities with influence over senior client stakeholders.
• Experience leading strategic planning for new business development and agency pitches.
• Strong collaborator capable of working across multidisciplinary teams to foster strategic thinking.
• Interest in emerging technologies like AI and enthusiasm for applying these tools to enhance strategic communication.
• Superior organizational capacity to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic agency setting.

Benefits and Additional Details

• Competitive base salary with bonus potential.
• Access to health, dental, vision insurance, company-paid life insurance, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) plan with matching.
• Monthly allowances for phone and office equipment expenses.
• Generous paid time off including maternity and paternity leave.
• Transit benefits and opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Workplace flexibility with on-site and off-site social events.

The anticipated salary for this position ranges from $160,000 to $240,000 annually, with compensation determined based on qualifications, experience, education, and geographic location, among other factors. Ruder Finn is committed to equal employment opportunity and values diversity, inclusivity, and fairness throughout its hiring process.