Account Director

Havas; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare communications agency in the UK is looking for an experienced Account Director to lead client relationships and ensure high-quality project delivery. You will manage team dynamics and oversee financial account health while focusing on business development. The role requires 7 years of experience in a creative or medical communications agency and expertise in healthcare. This position offers hybrid working with flexibility in office attendance.

Benefits

Hybrid working

28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays

Enhanced family leave pay

Sabbatical opportunities

Life insurance

Wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• 7 years at AD level in a creative or medical communications agency.
• Expertise in leading large budgets up to 5 million.
• Experience with Generative AI tools and related certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build meaningful and trusting relationships with clients.
• Shape strategy and judge creative concepts.
• Own team management and support professional development.
• Manage financial health of accounts and resolve issues.

Skills

Healthcare experience

Brand and strategy experience

Line-management experience

Experience handling global client briefs

Pitch experience

Experience with Generative AI tools

Job description

Agency: Havas Lynx

Job Description: Maternity cover – 12 months FTC in healthcare communications. Healthcare experience is required.

Job Summary

The Account Director will own client accounts with a focus on satisfaction, business development, profitability and staff performance. You will ensure high‑quality project delivery on time, on budget and on brief, lead strategic communications, inspire your team, and maintain strong client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Build meaningful and trusting relationships with clients, positioning Havas Lynx as their strategic partner.
• Immerse yourself in clients’ businesses and industries to deliver quality campaigns and lead by example.
• Shape strategy and judge creative concepts in relevance to brief and context.
• Identify and initiate business opportunities with existing and new clients.
• Own team management, supporting individual needs and professional development.
• Coordinate the wider production team to ensure accurate timescales and budgets.
• Manage financial health of accounts, proactively resolve issues and report to the Client Services Director when appropriate.

Qualifications

• 7 years at AD level in a creative or medical communications agency.
• Healthcare experience is a must.
• Line‑management experience for a small team.
• Brand and strategy experience, or involvement in strategic projects.
• Experience handling global client briefs.
• Expertise in leading large budgets up to 5 million.
• Pitch experience.
• Experience with Generative AI tools and related certifications (Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, etc.) is ideal.

Benefits

• Hybrid working: 3 days in the office, with flexible in‑office days.
• 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, increasing with service length.
• Option to buy, carry or sell holidays.
• Early Friday finish throughout the year.
• Seasonal working hours.
• Enhanced family leave pay and return‑to‑work benefit scheme.
• Extensive L & D support.
• Sabbatical opportunities.
• Interest‑free season ticket loan.
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
• Life insurance (4× salary).
• Company pension scheme.
• Fully compensated company events.
• Volunteer days.
• Wellbeing programme: sports clubs, discounted gym memberships, free onsite flu vaccinations, extended lunch breaks on Wellness Wednesdays.
• Medicash healthcare benefit.
• 24/7 access to a free confidential Employee Assistance Programme.

Contract & Location

Contract Type: Temporary (Full‑Time). Location: Manchester. Hybrid working requires office attendance on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal‑opportunity employer and welcome applicants irrespective of age, sex, race, ethnicity, disability or other protected characteristics. We have a zero tolerance policy for discrimination.