VP, Account Director, Medical Education

Fifth Element; New York (NY); On-site; USD 175,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Fifth Element seeks a VP, Account Director in New York. You will own senior client relationships, guide cross-functional teams across multichannel campaigns, and ensure smart, seamless delivery within budgets.

You’ll mentor talent, anticipate challenges, and push both clients and the agency to the next level, while growing the business through pitches and smart use of internal expertise.

Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience managing teams in advertising or pharma agencies.
• Ability to travel to client meetings.
• Able to lead across a multi-disciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Own senior client relationships as a trusted advisor and brand steward.
• Lead cross-functional teams across multichannel work—keeping timelines, budgets, and workflows on track (and drama low).
• Anticipate challenges, solve problems before they surface, and guide teams past known pitfalls.
• Coach and develop high-performing talent while fostering a collaborative, no-silos culture.
• Partner with leadership and Project Management to staff smartly and manage financial health.
• Drive agency growth through pitches, organic opportunities, and smart use of internal expertise.
• Lead initiatives that elevate the agency’s vision, performance, and presence.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Team leadership

Strategic client management

Multichannel project management

Budget and timeline oversight

Tools

Travel willingness

Job description

The VP, Account Director is a senior client whisperer and strategic powerhouse—owning top-level relationships and keeping brands moving forward. They lead cross-functional teams across complex, multichannel work, making sure everything stays smart, seamless, and on budget.

Part mentor, part growth driver, part problem-solver, this role builds strong teams, spots challenges before they happen, and helps push both clients and the agency to the next level.

Responsibilities

• Own senior client relationships as a trusted advisor and brand steward.
• Lead cross-functional teams across multichannel work—keeping timelines, budgets, and workflows on track (and drama low).
• Anticipate challenges, solve problems before they surface, and guide teams past known pitfalls.
• Coach and develop high-performing talent while fostering a collaborative, no-silos culture.
• Partner with leadership and Project Management to staff smartly and manage financial health.
• Drive agency growth through pitches, organic opportunities, and smart use of internal expertise.
• Lead initiatives that elevate the agency’s vision, performance, and presence.

• 7-8 years of pharmaceutical advertising and/or agency experience
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Previous experience managing teams
• Able to travel to client meetings
• Able to take the lead across a multi-disciplinary team

Pay Range: $175,000- $195,000