Vice President - Health Account Lead

About Ruder Finn

Ruder Finn ranks among the largest independent global communications and integrated marketing agencies worldwide, known for bold creativity, strategic insight, and a culture that embraces innovation. The agency is celebrated for its leadership, creative accomplishments, and growth, recognized as Large Agency of the Year at the 2026 PRWeek U.S. Awards and named one of PRWeek's Best Places to Work.

Role Overview

We invite an exceptional Vice President to lead health-focused accounts, delivering strategic guidance and execution for healthcare clients. This position entails managing the development and execution of strategic programs, product communications, data, safety, and efficacy (DSE), and regulatory milestones. The role also involves expanding existing client relationships, overseeing and mentoring teams, and maintaining outstanding client service.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary day-to-day liaison for healthcare clients, directing strategy, planning, and implementation.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, from conceptualization to delivery, anticipating potential issues and ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets.
• Contribute meaningfully to the creation of innovative integrated communications campaigns along with budget planning.
• Deliver high-quality, timely, and error-free client projects, while coordinating multiple workstreams.
• Mentor, guide, and develop junior and mid-level team members to build top-performing teams.
• Offer insightful client advice reflecting understanding of client goals, healthcare industry trends, and communication best practices.
• Maintain deep knowledge of clients’ businesses, including competition, product environment, public sentiment, influencer networks, and media trends.
• Encourage innovative thinking to create new strategies, alternative approaches, and creative campaign ideas.
• Identify and address challenges proactively, escalating issues with recommended solutions as needed.
• Lead creation of essential communications assets such as media plans, press releases, key messages, social media content, briefings, communication strategies, and client presentations.
• Ensure meticulous quality control on client materials, confirming accuracy, strategic coherence, clarity, and refinement.
• Communicate clearly and responsively with clients, leadership, and teams, providing solution-focused updates.
• Inspire and align team members toward common goals and excellence.
• Represent a professional standard for junior staff through sound judgment, responsibility, and openness to innovation.
• Delegate with clarity on expectations, timelines, context, and success indicators.
• Develop program budgets, monitor financials, draft statements of work, and support forecasting to match resource allocation with client needs.

Required Qualifications

• At least 8 years' experience in public relations or communications, with healthcare or pharmaceutical industry experience being essential.
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, or a related discipline.
• Background in healthcare communications focusing on pharmaceutical products, biotechnology, or patient advocacy.
• Proven experience communicating data and regulatory milestones.
• Experience working alongside patient advocacy groups, patients, and influencers.
• A deep passion for engaging with broad healthcare verticals.
• Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to build and foster professional relationships.
• Demonstrated success in designing and executing effective communication programs for healthcare brands.
• Curious and comfortable integrating artificial intelligence into communication strategies and workflows.
• Excellent written, organizational, multitasking, and strategic thinking abilities.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary with opportunity for bonuses.
• Health, dental, vision insurance, company-paid life insurance, flexible spending accounts, and 401(k) with matching contributions.
• Monthly allowances for cell phones and office equipment.
• Generous paid time off policy including maternity and paternity leave.
• Transit benefits to ease commuting.
• Opportunities for professional learning and development.
• Flexible workplace arrangements.
• Regular on-site and off-site social events.

Additional Details

The projected salary range for this position is $120,000 to $145,000 annually. Compensation will consider education, geographic location, experience, certifications, skills, and other relevant qualifications. Ruder Finn is also committed to equal opportunity employment and values diversity and inclusion as key components of its success. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.