Associate Director, Health (Earned Media)

EU010 Daniel J. Edelman Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Edelman is a global leader in communications. The Global Media Relations Associate Director develops and leads client relationships, counseling senior clients on media strategy and ensuring alignment with objectives.

The role drives innovative, multi-channel programmes across geographies and contributes to global campaigns with strong leadership within the Health senior leadership team. They will strengthen the media relations team structure, develop new approaches to earned media including

Qualifications

• At least 8 years in earned media, healthcare or related regulated sectors.
• Experience advising senior clients, including executives, on media strategy.
• Proven ability to lead teams and manage global campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead global media relations programmes across traditional, digital and social channels.
• Counsel senior clients on media engagement, including investor-related activities.
• Drive multi-channel campaigns with health, financial and consumer focus.

Skills

Media relations

Client management

Leadership

Strategic planning

Storytelling

AI-driven strategies

Job description

Edelman is a voice synonymous with trust, reimagining a future where the currency of communication is action. Our culture thrives on three promises: boldness is possibility, empathy is progress, and curiosity is momentum. At Edelman, we understand diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) transform our colleagues, our company, our clients, and our communities. We are in relentless pursuit of an equitable and inspiring workplace that is respectful of all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust, collaboration and belonging.

Job Purpose

The Global Media Relations Associate Director develops and leads client relationships, exhibiting best practice in client management. They counsel senior clients on media and communications strategy, ensuring alignment between client objectives and journalistic interests. This role drives innovative, multi-channel communications programmes across geographies and contributes to the development and execution of global media campaigns. The role requires strong leadership within the Health senior leadership team and broader collaboration across Edelman’s global network, including US and APAC teams. The Associate Director will also play a key role in strengthening the media relations team structure, developing new approaches to earned media (including AI-driven strategies), and ensuring consistent high standards in delivery.

Key Accountabilities

Client management

• Demonstrate deep understanding of media relations globally, creating and driving strategic earned media outreach plans across traditional, digital, and social platforms.
• Confidently advise senior clients, including C-suite executives, on media engagement, investor-related activities, and complex data presentations.
• Identify compelling story ideas, turning them into successful pitches to secure high-value coverage across global outlets.
• Manage media programmes for product launches, regulatory milestones, corporate initiatives, and executive visibility, while addressing ad hoc requests across sectors (healthcare, financial, consumer).
• Serve as the lead earned media contact, providing realistic counsel to improve success rates and ensuring delivery aligns with broader enterprise goals.
• Actively participate in cross-functional planning with digital, creative, and strategy teams to strengthen integrated campaigns.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, quickly establishing credibility and trust while demonstrating added value.

Team management

• Provide strategic counsel and leadership to the earned media team, reviewing outputs (e.g. pitches, press releases) and ensuring high standards.
• Formalise the structure of the earned media team through training programmes, account rotations, and external networking opportunities (e.g. industry awards).
• Mentor junior and mid-level colleagues, ensuring knowledge transfer, skill development, and high performance across teams.
• Lead with a positive, solutions-driven approach, fostering collaboration and motivation across local and global teams.

Brand and business building

• Keep abreast of industry, competitor, and regulatory developments affecting clients.
• Develop and evolve earned media strategies, leveraging AI tools and other channels such as newsletters and podcasts.
• Support business growth through participation in pitches, cross-regional projects, and external industry engagement.
• Strengthen Edelman’s competitive positioning by ensuring senior-level representation within integrated campaigns and industry forums.

Experience

• At least 8 years in earned media, ideally within healthcare communications or related regulated sectors.
• Proven experience working with senior clients across multiple sectors (health, financial, consumer), including listed companies.
• Established relationships with senior journalists and media contacts across local, regional, and global trade, specialist, and lay outlets.
• Track record of managing high-profile product launches, regulatory milestones, and investor-adjacent media activity.
• Experience working with global teams, particularly US and APAC, with ability to manage time-zone and cross-cultural challenges.

Skills

• #LI-EC1
• Deep media knowledge and senior-level credibility in advising clients on complex communications.
• Strong storytelling skills and ability to translate data-heavy or technical subjects into compelling narratives.
• Excellent track record of developing and executing profitable, innovative communications campaigns.
• Advanced understanding of earned media, including integration with AI, digital, and emerging channels.
• Proven leadership, mentoring, and team-building skills with the ability to formalise and evolve media team structures.
• Strong organisational and boundary management skills, handling multiple accounts and geographies effectively.
• Ability to collaborate across global and cross-functional teams on strategy and execution.

It started with one man's passion to make an impact through stories… 70 years later, we are the world’s largest communications firm, which fosters an environment where people feel empowered to take the kind of bold action that makes careers, reshapes industries, and creates the unexpected.

We are one global team, over 6,000 strong across 60 offices, grounded by our shared values. We promise an experience where our employees see that boldness is possibility, empathy is progress, and curiosity is momentum. Since Dan Edelman founded the firm in 1952, we have remained an independent, family-run business, and our culture is one that brings understanding, collaboration, and respect to our work and to each other.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) transform our colleagues, our clients, and our communities, and propel us forward as a company. At Edelman, we are in relentless pursuit of a fair and inspiring workplace that is respectful to all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust and collaboration. Each day and on each project, we strive to ensure that our colleagues feel a sense of true inclusion and belonging and can bring their best to their work - taking action and shaping impactful moments and movements within our company, on behalf of our clients, and within communities around the globe.

The relentless pursuit of excellence The freedom to be constantly curious The courage to do the right thing The commitment to positively impact society.

We grow our people We invite and celebrate differences Our reputation is our brand We're global, yet local We offer more than just a career – we offer a place to grow, make a meaningful impact, and help drive change alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry. Our culture is built on trust, innovation, and inclusivity, where unique perspectives are not only welcomed, but celebrated. At Edelman, your ambitions are supported, your voice matters and your work contributes to shaping the future of communications and clients’ business.