Group Account Director - Health

The RoleA Group Account Director (GAD) serves as a brand champion for our pharmaceutical clients, managing multiple accounts—or one very large, high-profile account. In this role, you will supervise the management of account groups, provide strategic support and leadership, and drive business growth within existing pharma / health accounts while ensuring strict adherence to PAAB regulatory and compliance standards. Supervision and development of the account team is critical to this position.What We Expect From YouStrategic ThinkingDevelop an intimate understanding of the healthcare and pharmaceutical markets in Canada to which the brands belongDevelop or contribute to the development of copy strategy / positioningActively lead strategic development by ensuring alignment between clinical data, regulatory requirements, and marketing initiatives.Identify meaningful market research needs to support strategic decisions and guide its developmentInterpret and apply market research data to inform strategic decisions.Proactively provide clients with strategic insight and problem-solving on a consistent basisSupervise the development of in-depth competitive analyses that capture the nuances of the healthcare market.Stay abreast of market trends and monitor emerging drugs and therapies relevant to our clients.Brand ChampioningEnsure that all agency efforts and creative campaigns are in the best interest of building the brandChallenge strategies, client direction, market research results, programs, or ideas that are not aligned with the brand positioning or the long-term visionEnsure all strategies, creative, and tactics developed support the brand positioningContinually seek opportunities for brand-building and innovative approaches to overcome obstacles.Demonstrate passion for healthcare and pharmaceutical brands, showing unwavering commitment to maximizing their success.Proactively provide business building that results in incremental income for the agencyAct as a brand champion across all agency team membersPersuasively guide clients toward the most effective creative and tactical outputs—even in situations where initial client hesitancy exists.Creative / BrandingEncourage the development of breakthrough creativeEnsure high-quality agency output, reflective of consistently superior creative productContribute to the development of the creative productConstructively review creative work to enhance its impact on building the brandRecognize and advocate for world-class creative work both internally and with clients.Ensure client creative comments are properly interpreted (and challenged if necessary)Demonstrate an understanding of the agency branding process and foster / contribute to brand building among account groupsManage seamless collaboration between account teams and creative teamsClient RelationsDevelop / maintain strong interpersonal relationships with the client at appropriate levelsQuickly identify and resolve client conflictsContinuously network with clients and potential clientsProvide proactive written recommendations to clients on a regular basisEffectively represent agency POV to clientsEnsures client is kept up to date on competitive activityIdentifie and cultivate new business opportunities for the agency and its divisionsManagement / LeadershipSupervise the management of each accountOversee the development of the account team, ensuring team members are well-versed in healthcare compliance, regulatory issues, and market dynamics.Understand client forecast / budget issuesAct as a mentor within the account groupIdentify and help resolve people / departmental conflicts with practical solutionsIdentify and propose development plans for account team membersKeep agency leadership informed of client activities, issues, and opportunitiesEnsure account team is skilled at reviewing creative work and provide constructive commentsAdvocate for staff growth and development while providing clear and regular performance feedback and annual reviewsFinancialProvide accurate and realistic forecasts for the groupRoutinely monitor financial performance of accounts to maximize income generationDemonstrate an understanding of income sources and client compensation structures for the groupAssist with fee negotiations and ensures routine monitoring for accuracy / adjustmentsReview contracts / billing structure periodically to update or revise as neededEnsure financial control of all client work (estimates, jobs, fees, billing) throughout the groupKey RequirementsProven experience leading multiple or large accounts in a health ad-agency environmentExperience in Canadian health sector, with knowledge of local regulations and trendsStrong strategic thinking and market research interpretation skills, particularly in the context of healthcare and pharmaExpertise in brand positioning and campaign developmentAbility to challenge and refine strategies to align with brand goalsPassion for creative work with a focus on high-quality outputStrong interpersonal skills and client relationship managementExperience in mentoring and developing account teamsFinancial acumen with experience in forecasting, budgeting, and fee negotiationsStrong sales skills and ability to drive business growthAccountability for meeting or exceeding forecastsCollaborative approach to working with the strategy team on pitches