SVP, Group Account Director, Canada

W2O Group; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in healthcare advertising is seeking an SVP, Group Account Director to establish its presence in Canada. This role combines strategic leadership and business development within a dynamic environment aimed at transforming healthcare through innovative solutions.

Benefits

Subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance

Flexible PTO

Annual wellness reimbursement

Mental wellness coaching and support

Access to online classes with LinkedIn Learning

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in healthcare / pharma in an agency.
• Proven track record in senior client management.
• Bilingual proficiency in English.

Responsibilities

• Establish local market presence and lead business development.
• Act as primary contact for clients and ensure satisfaction.
• Recruit and grow a high-performing team.

Skills

Healthcare / pharma experience

Leadership skills

Communication

Negotiation

Entrepreneurial mindset

Job description

Working at Real Chemistry and in the healthcare industry isn’t just a job for us. We got into this field for different reasons, but we all stay for the same reason – to uncover insights, make meaningful connections, infuse creativity, and improve the patient experience by transforming healthcare through AI and ideas.

Real Chemistry creates the world around modern therapies with over 2,000 talented professionals, and for the last 20+ years has, carved out its space at the intersection between healthcare, marketing and communications, data & AI, and the people at the heart of it all. We work with the top 30 pharma and biotech companies and are built for uncommon collaboration—we believe we are best together, bring together experts from a wide range of disciplines collaborate without barriers under a single, unified mission: to transform what healthcare is to what it should be. This one-of-a-kind model allows us to work in a way that better reflects how people experience healthcare—all with the intent to transform healthcare from what it is to what it should be. But we can’t do it alone – you in?

21GRAMS, part of Real Chemistry, takes an innovative approach to advertising, and focuses on making healthcare more human. Not just in our work, but in the way we conduct business, approach client relationships, and treat each other. It’s a place where people subscribe to the adage, “Be good to each other, but hard on the work.” A place where people are not just in it for the paycheck, but to make a dent in the universe. Sound like you?

This role is based out of Ontario, Canada. Please note, Real Chemistry does not have a legal entity in Canada, so you will be hired through a Canadian Employer of Record (EoR) as we work to establish and build out our presence.

Job Summary:

Real Chemistry’s 21GRAMS is looking for an SVP, Group Account Director to help establish our growing global network. This role is both strategic and entrepreneurial, combining leadership with business development to expand our presence in key markets. You’ll be one of a few initial key hires helping us unlock the next phase of Real Chemistry’s growth as we work to expand our global footprint outside the US/UK.

In this role you will partner with strategy and creative leads to help establish a global presence in Canada. You will play a pivotal role in delivering local insights, cultural nuance, and regulatory guidelines back to our UK-based International Hub for our largest clients, while also being responsible for driving local market growth across the entirety of our Real Chemistry capabilities – including Activation, Advertising, Analytics & Insights, Integrated Communications, and Medical Communications.

This position requires a seasoned professional with a deep understanding of global and local market pharmaceutical advertising, a proven track record in client management, as well as someone who loves to build high-performing teams.

What You’ll Do:

As the SVP, Group Account Director, you will be a key leader responsible for establishing a local market presence, driving business development, leading our client relations efforts, and ensuring exceptional client satisfaction. You’ll build and nurture strong client relationships, develop and execute comprehensive client strategies aligned with business objectives, lead client pitches, and foster a culture of growth. This role will have a matrixed reporting structure and begin as an individual contributor. Over time it will scale to include recruiting and guiding team members as the local market presence grows.

Responsibilities

Lead the setup and growth of a local market presence, working closely with strategy and creative leadership to build a strong presence

Coordination with UK-based International Hub of incoming work for local market input

Review work from UK-based International Hub for local insights, cultural nuance, and regulatory considerations

Identify and secure new business opportunities across Real Chemistry’s capabilities (Activation, Advertising, Analytics & Insights, Integrated Communications, and Medical Communications), driving growth in partnership with local market creative and strategy leadership and Real Chemistry executive leadership

Drive annual growth planning in partnership with local market leadership and Real Chemistry executive leadership

Act as the primary point of contact for clients, providing insights and guidance to enhance their brand(s), while also proactively addressing any client concerns and driving the highest levels of client satisfaction

Recruit and grow a high-performing team; identify resource gaps to ensure operational success

Provide strategic guidance and mentorship to team members, fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous learning

Represent and act as a liaison between 21GRAMS and other parts of Real Chemistry; work seamlessly across Real Chemistry’s capabilities to bring holistic solutions to clients, ensuring high standards and consistency in execution

Required Skills & Experience

10+ years of healthcare / pharma experience in an agency environment

Proven experience in a senior client management role within the pharmaceutical advertising / marketing / communications industry

In-depth understanding of pharmaceutical marketing regulations and compliance

Global and local market expertise

Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and guide a diverse team

Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills

Strategic thinker with a results-oriented mindset

Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously

Entrepreneurial mindset, with experience setting up and leading a team, identifying growth opportunities, and managing business operations

Established local network of clients, partners, and talent, with the ability to leverage these relationships for growth

Strategic thinker with a results-oriented mindset, excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills

Highly motivated self-starter who enjoys working independently without requiring in-depth direction or supervision

Bilingual proficiency in both English and local market language(s)

Real Chemistry is proud to be Great Place to Work certified; check out what our people shared about our culture and workplace on our Great Places to Work Profile here .

Real Chemistry offers a comprehensive benefit program and perks, including subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance, and flexible PTO. Other perks include an annual wellness reimbursement, mental wellness coaching and support, and access to more than 13,000 online classes with LinkedIn Learning.

Real Chemistry is an Equal Opportunity employer. We continually strive to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable work environment where our employees feel empowered to leverage all they bring from their personal lived experience and professional expertise, to make our team the best in the industry. We encourage motivated and qualified applicants to apply without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, ethnic or national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local employment discrimination laws where Real Chemistry operates. Should you require accommodations throughout the interview process please let your recruiter know.

*Notice: Real Chemistry and its affiliates' names are being misused by scammers through messaging services, fake websites, and apps. Do not share personal or financial information or make payments to any unverified sources claiming to be connected to Real Chemistry. We are working to stop these unauthorized activities and protect our community. Read more here .

About the company

W2O Group is a holding company based in San Francisco, California that provides marketing services through its subsidiaries.

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