Account Director

RBW Consulting; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Enhanced pension plan

Private healthcare

Job summary

RBW Consulting in London is seeking an Account Director to lead health public affairs programmes, advising pharma, medtech and digital health clients and translating policy into practical delivery.

You will build trusted senior stakeholder relationships across Government, Parliament and NHS bodies, mentor teams and help grow our healthcare practice through strategic client leadership.

Qualifications

• Significant agency experience in healthcare public affairs or health-focused consultancy.
• Strong understanding of UK health policy and NHS structures.
• Proven track record advising pharmaceutical, medtech or life sciences organisations.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated public affairs and communications programmes influencing health policy.
• Advise senior clients and navigate Parliament, NHS structures to deliver practical outcomes.
• Develop business development opportunities and grow the healthcare practice.
• Mentor colleagues and strengthen the consultancy’s reputation for impact.

Skills

Public affairs

Healthcare policy

NHS knowledge

Client relationships

Leadership

Mentoring

Business development

Job description

Job Title: Account Director - Health Public Affairs

Location: London, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Contract Type: Permanent

About Our Client

Our client is a multi-award-winning specialist consultancy working at the intersection of health policy, public affairs and strategic communications. From pharmaceuticals and medical technology through to diagnostics, digital health, social care and charities, they help organisations navigate complex healthcare systems and turn innovation into real-world impact for patients. Operating within the UK health and care landscape, our client’s team combines deep expertise in health policy, stakeholder engagement and reputation management to shape policy, build trust and accelerate the adoption of new medicines, technologies and services. They are committed to making communications a force for good, with a strong focus on outcomes for patients, communities and the wider health and care system.

About the Role

This Account Director position offers the opportunity to work at the centre of health policy and NHS reform, advising organisations across pharmaceuticals, medtech, diagnostics and digital health. You will act as a trusted adviser to senior clients, helping them navigate government, Parliament and NHS structures, and move from strategic ambition to practical delivery. Alongside leading high-profile client programmes, you will help shape the growth of our client’s healthcare practice – contributing to business development, mentoring colleagues and strengthening the consultancy’s reputation for getting health innovation adopted and scaled within the NHS.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead integrated public affairs and communications programmes that help clients influence health policy, build stakeholder confidence and accelerate NHS adoption.
• Act as a strategic adviser to senior client stakeholders, identifying barriers to progress and developing practical, insight-driven solutions.
• Understand clients’ commercial, policy and organisational objectives, ensuring all activity delivers clear, measurable impact.
• Build and maintain trusted long-term client relationships, grounded in collaboration, expertise and consistent results.
• Oversee delivery standards across accounts, balancing quality, profitability and team wellbeing.
• Support, coach and mentor colleagues to deliver consistently high-quality client work and develop their consulting skills.

Research, Strategy & Insight

• Monitor and interpret developments across Government, Parliament, NHS England, Integrated Care Boards and the wider health system.
• Translate complex policy changes and NHS reforms into clear strategic advice and actionable recommendations for clients.
• Develop compelling narratives that position medicines, technologies and services within current NHS priorities and health policy debates.
• Produce high-quality policy briefings, thought leadership content, consultation responses and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Ensure all written outputs demonstrate clarity, strategic thinking and tangible value for clients.

Project & Campaign Management

• Lead integrated communications and public affairs campaigns from strategy development through to implementation.
• Manage programmes that influence policy, engage key stakeholders and deliver measurable outcomes, not just activity.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams spanning public affairs, communications and digital, ensuring joined-up delivery.
• Keep projects on track against agreed timelines, budgets and objectives, with a strong focus on effectiveness and impact.
• Evaluate success using robust criteria that focus on real-world change for clients and patients.

Business Development & Sector Engagement

• Identify opportunities to support organisations in overcoming healthcare policy and NHS adoption challenges.
• Develop persuasive proposals and pitch materials centred on helping clients get health innovation moving through the system.
• Contribute to proactive business development, thought leadership and sector visibility.
• Help grow our client’s pharmaceutical and health technology practice, building sustainable client relationships.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build relationships with senior figures across Government, Parliament, NHS England, Integrated Care Boards, patient organisations, trade associations and industry bodies.
• Represent our client at conferences, policy events and sector forums, strengthening their presence in the health and life sciences space.
• Identify opportunities to convene policymakers, clinicians, industry and patient groups around shared challenges and priorities.

Person Specification

• Significant agency experience in healthcare public affairs, integrated communications or health-focused consultancy.
• Strong understanding of the UK political environment, NHS structures and how decisions about healthcare are made.
• Proven experience advising pharmaceutical, medtech or life sciences organisations, ideally within an agency or consultancy setting.
• A track record of leading strategic client relationships and delivering outcomes that can be evidenced.
• Excellent commercial awareness, with experience contributing to business growth and account development.
• Outstanding communication, leadership and mentoring skills, with a collaborative and supportive approach.
• Genuine passion for improving healthcare through policy, communications and stakeholder engagement, coupled with curiosity and ambition to shape the future of the sector.

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive salary aligned with experience and responsibility.
• 25 days' annual leave, plus UK bank holidays.
• Enhanced pension plan.
• Enhanced maternity pay.
• Private healthcare provision.