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Associate Account Director Comms & Operations

New York, New York, United States

Associate Account Director – Communications & Operations
Job Description

About Us
Virgo Health works for pharmaceutical, biotech, and device companies to inform and educate healthcare 
professionals about the latest developments in clinical research and therapeutic approaches. We leverage our 
meetings, digital, and interactive expertise to understand what’s easy and relevant for healthcare professionals to 
engage with. We tailor our content and design it to offer choice and active participation. Real, relevant, and human.

Job Overview
The Associate Account Director – Communications & Operations (AD) is a strategic manager of client contact and provides account and business direction. As a senior member within the organization, the account director is responsible for providing vision and leadership to the team and regarded as an ambassador for Virgo with an emphasis on key opinion leader (KOL)/thought leader (TL) engagement, as well as meeting and logistics.

The Associate Account Director will be heavily involved in resource planning as well as playing a key role in driving the business forward through developing and delivering new business opportunities.

Core Responsibilities 

Medical Education 

• Cultivate working relationships with KOLs and other third parties for Virgo

• Oversee the formulation and handling of issues response where appropriate

• Continue to give shape, coherence, and direction to all initiatives, particularly scientific meetings (advisory boards) and KOL engagement, ensuring Virgo meets strategic needs, and oversee quality control for all programming 

Client Activity

• Contribute to client strategy and thinking

• Demonstrate the ability to consult at the highest levels of client organization and be recognized as a member of the senior team

• Demonstrate an understanding of the wider marketing mix and be able to provide senior client counsel

• Take responsibility for client satisfaction, retention, and development

• Achieve client buy in and support for program activity, or changes of direction if necessary

• Maintain regular contact with client regarding account direction and resourcing

• Proactively challenge clients where necessary

• Ensure an annual external strategic review of client accounts is executed

• Chair/facilitate external meetings when necessary, eg, media advisory board 

Industry Awareness

• Use understanding of the broad health environment, applying growing knowledge toward the implementation and development of client and new business programs

• Build an in-depth knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry, Virgo, and client environment

• Keep updated on new developments within other med ed agencies

• Keep updated on relevant codes and best practices from regulatory bodies that have an impact on client business 

Account Direction and Management

 • Oversee designated account, appropriately directing account team activity

• Provide direction, inspiration, and strategic counsel

• Set qualitative and quantitative performance targets with the client

• Monitor account progress against targets and make necessary changes to activity to achieve them

• Evaluate success of projects and overall programs

• Take accountability for the profitable management of accounts and team budgets

• Provide direction and guidance on identified organic growth opportunities

• Ensure all written communication across the agency is produced within Virgo House Style format and quality

• Accurately input hours worked into timesheets on SAP 

People Leadership and Management

• Lead and motivate line reports and team members by providing support and guidance to ensure they fulfil their potential

• Actively encourage team members to be more creative and innovative in their approach

• Conduct regular appraisals and ensure challenging personal development objectives are set

• Assist with the recruitment of new team members when necessary

• Identify areas of development where necessary and highlight to HR manager

• Provide coaching to line reports when necessary

• Assist with the succession planning process 

Business Management

• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of Virgo’s vision and business objectives

• Assist with the development and execution of the Virgo business plan

• Participate and contribute to management meetings 

Leadership

• Inspire others and motivate them to achieve their goals, as well as Virgo’s goals

• Recognize the value and develop the potential in others today and for the future

• Demonstrate “we not I” by collaborating across the agency

• Take accountability when making mistakes and doesn’t hide in a crisis

• Look to build opportunities externally to raise Virgo’s presence, eg, networking events 

New Business

• Identify new business prospects and develop leads

• Structure, plan resources, and lead new business team through the pitch process

• Develop and lead proposal document and pitch strategy 

Experience/Skills Required

• Leadership skills

• Excellent people management skills: managing performance, delegation, and coaching

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent project and time-management skills

• Ability to multitask and work under pressure

• Ability to use own initiative

• Financial management skills: budgeting, resourcing, and divisional finance

• Excellent negotiating and influencing skills

• Commercial acumen 

Level of Experience

• 7-10+ years of experience at a health care communications and/or logistics company, including account director experience

Qualification

• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science preferred or of graduate caliber

Virgo Characteristics

• Team player

• Passionate commitment

• Open communication

• Professionalism and client focus

• Creatively curious

• Embraces change

• Self-development

Key Performance Indicators

• Annual performance objectives and performance appraisal

• Anecdotal client and supplier feedback

• Client retention

Actual compensation offered within the range will depend upon, among other factors: a candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience; actual ranges for current or former employees in the role; and market considerations.

Virgo is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status.