Senior Account Director

Sciterion; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Sciterion is seeking a strategic scientific thinker to lead medical affairs strategy from pre-launch through launch and beyond. You will steer large, complex client service projects, develop plans and proposals, and act as a senior partner to clients to shape solutions with evidence-based insights.

The role focuses on driving growth, shaping client strategy, and mentoring teams while collaborating with senior stakeholders across the agency.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in an agency environment.
• Strong medical communications experience with focus on supporting medical affairs and medical education projects for pharmaceutical companies.
• Experience in business development, winning and growing organic new business.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multi-project client service delivery.
• Develop strategies, planning and creative input for clients.
• Build relationships with key client stakeholders and lead new business pitches.

Skills

Agency experience

Medical communications

Business development

Client relationship management

Strategic leadership

Job description

At Sciterion, we’re looking for strategic scientific thinkers who go beyond the data. People who instinctively ask: what does this evidence mean in practice, how will it influence clinical behaviour, and where can it have the greatest impact?

Do you want to lead, not just deliver? How will you shape scientific strategy across medical affairs—from pre-launch through to launch and beyond—lead high-value discussions with senior stakeholders, and confidently challenge thinking with a clear, evidence‑based point of view.

The role

You will be responsible for leading the management of multiple and sometimes large and complex client service delivery projects. You will be involved in planning, strategy development, and creative input. Working closely with clients, you will be responsible for establishing strong relationships by demonstrating an in-depth understanding of their business, applicable therapy areas, and the latest developments within the industry. You will also play a significant role in business development, seeking out new opportunities and areas for organic growth whilst also having involvement in developing proposals and being the lead on new business pitches. Your role will be one beyond client delivery and include a wider engagement in the business unit and company.

Possessing a strong depth of experience and expertise, you will provide clients with senior‑level counsel, be the senior point of contact for clients, act as a strategic partner to help them anticipate challenges, and provide timely and value‑added solutions by utilising all aspects of the agency’s competencies.

Core duties and responsibilities

• Lead and support client or project‑related meetings and encourage colleagues to work collaboratively in progressing work. Empower the client services team to lead project‑related work
• Establish and reinforce relationships with key client stakeholders, primarily marketing, medical, and procurement teams
• Lead client or project‑related meetings and motivate colleagues to work collaboratively in progressing work
• Proactively advise clients on new issues and the external environment
• Take responsibility for developing, budgeting, managing, and finalising client activity programmes, ensuring these are delivered efficiently and to client objectives
• Lead the successful delivery of projects through the effective management of resources within your team, to help ensure all demands on the accounts are serviced effectively and profitably
• Lead and motivate account teams to fulfil their potential, ensure accounts are managed with a clear structure of roles/responsibilities, and support them to take ownership and responsibility for projects
• Make recommendations to the senior team on project resourcing and staffing requirements; oversee recruitment of prospective candidates as appropriate
• Proactively sell agency services that are innovative, visible, and profitable, as well as create and develop opportunities for growing business within existing accounts
• Be aware of the wider industry, client competitor strategies, and market environment, and use this knowledge to direct the account teams’ work in consultation with clients
• Lead the preparation and presentation of new business pitches
• Be able to demonstrate an understanding of how the agency strategy cascades into operational delivery plans to strengthen the relationship with our clients
• Partner with other Havas Health network providers accordingly, to help secure larger business wins
• Have an in-depth understanding of the financial status of accounts at all times including overall responsibility for internal reporting using the sales sheet
• Ensure the development of direct reports by having regular 1:1 review meetings, identifying development needs, supporting and tracking progress against set objectives
• Provide effective coaching as required to ensure your direct reports/team can carry out their duties to the best of their ability and encourage a positive working environment

The person

• Proven experience in an agency environment
• Strong medical communications experience with a focus on supporting medical affairs and medical education projects for pharmaceutical companies
• Experience in business development in both winning and developing organic new business