Director (Maternity Cover) | Corporate Communications | London

Hanover Communications

About us   Hanover is an award-winning communications consultancy that advises enterprises, institutions, and individuals on building recognition and enhancing reputation. From our offices across Europe and the Middle East, we adopt an integrated approach that connects the dots across channels, audiences and issues. Our collective of smart, curious people think differently and live by a shared mission, purpose, vision, and values. These shape how we work, not just with our colleagues, but with clients and partners too. Our mission is to ‘rewire communications for impact’ and harness its transformative power to advocate, trailblaze and make a difference. We do this by igniting and empowering the potential of every individual within our company, recognising that each person is a unique spark, capable of creating extraordinary impact. We believe that by nurturing and harnessing the collective brilliance of our people, we can drive innovation, foster an uncommon work culture, and make a positive difference to society. Embracing the complete range of skills and services across the communications spectrum without constraint, we create the best outcomes for our clients and deliver world-class work. We're in search of a driven professional to take on the role of Account Director in our Healthcare Communications team. You will play a pivotal role in delivering strategic guidance to our esteemed public relations clientele, overseeing account management, team leadership, and budgeting. The role involves spearheading new business initiatives, from identifying prospects to leading pitches, and nurturing the professional growth of junior team members up to the Consultant level. Passionate about propelling innovative healthcare products, services, and organisations to new heights of success, you will engage with a varied client portfolio, ranging from leading global healthcare corporations to dynamic startups, all while making a meaningful impact on patient care and the healthcare community. Our client roster boasts prominent names like Lilly, AstraZeneca and Merck.. Joining our team means bringing your expertise to a diverse array of projects, spanning product PR, patient advocacy, corporate communications, and media relations, within stimulating therapeutic fields such as neuroscience, immunology, and cardiometabolic health. Our team's excellence hasn't gone unnoticed—we've earned accolades from PRWeek, SABRE, and PharmaTimes, and we've been contenders for an agency award at the Communiqué Awards. Join us and be part of a team that's not just winning awards, but also making a real difference in healthcare communications. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: * Provide timely and relevant strategic advice to clients informed by broad intelligence-gathering on client, sector and competitors and policy environment * Project manage and supervise the delivery of all client services across multiple accounts * Exhibit a willingness to challenge the status quo, innovate, and embrace new ideas to drive the business forward * Lead regular client meetings and internal account management meetings, reviewing progress and allocating tasks * Manage account teams, providing direction and support to ensure high-quality client service * Manage client budgets and adhere to company budget setting and management processes * Ensure timely and accurate billing to ensure client needs are met within budget * Project manage activities focused on new business development, including marketing and new business pipeline management * Demonstrate an active and ever-expanding new business network that can provide significant opportunities for Hanover * Identify opportunities to cross-sell services between Hanover teams and/or offices * Provide personal management and mentoring of junior members of the team, up to Consultant level, providing guidance to improve quality of work, overall efficiency and foster a culture of excellence * Conduct performance reviews and support career progression for team members * Champion diversity and inclusion within the team and in client work, ensuring a range of perspectives are considered and valued. SKILLS & EXPERIENCE: * Proven track record of experience working in a healthcare / pharmaceutical PR role, ideally within a consultancy or in-house team * Proven media relations expertise with network of UK or international media connections * Proficient in both healthcare product and corporate communications * A willingness to challenge the status quo, innovate, and embrace new ideas to drive the business forward * Ability to lead teams and drive client accounts * Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively * Effective time, project and financial management * Client focused with close attention to detail * Familiarity with relevant media (print, broadcast and digital) and digital communication channels * Proactive and experienced in developing new business   BENEFITS: In addition to a competitive salary, your core benefits package will include: * An annual performance-related bonus plus additional bonus potential linked to recruitment, new business and long service * 25 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays) * Private healthcare and dental insurance * Travel insurance * A company pension plan, including 5% employer contribution You’ll also have access to a wide range of opportunities and initiatives, including: * Flexible working policies, plus eligibility to apply for a sabbatical after 2 years’ service * Summer Fridays finish (3pm) – early Friday finish the rest of the year (4pm) * The Hanover Academy, which incorporates training, coaching, mentoring and reverse-mentoring opportunities to support personal development and career progression across all levels, with a generous training budget * International secondments as well as the opportunity to collaborate with all offices across the AVENIR GLOBAL’s network * A wellbeing programme, featuring (but not limited to) pre- and post-maternity leave coaching, a working parents’ group, subsidised gym membership * Our Culture Club, with a robust social calendar all year round and CSR activity Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement +    Hanover Communications is an equal opportunities employer, committed to creating and ensuring a fair, inclusive, and diverse work environment where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We believe that equality and diversity are essential to high performance and a thriving culture. We maintain a strict no-tolerance stance against any form of discrimination and harassment, ensuring all individuals are treated equitably, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, religion, beliefs, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital or pregnancy status, genetic background, or any other attribute safeguarded under our company policies or federal, state or local laws and legislation. We want to ensure that our hiring process is accessible. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please send an email to recruitment@hanovercomms.com with the nature of your request. We are committed to transparency about how we collect and use your data, including ensuring we comply with legal obligations relating to data protection. You can view our data privacy policy here.  Hanover is part of AVENIR GLOBAL’s powerhouse of specialist communications consultancies across EMEA and North America. Collectively we rank among the top 15 largest communication firms in the world. Find out more about Hanover and working for us.

Hanover Communications

About us   Hanover is an award-winning communications consultancy that advises enterprises, institutions, and individuals on building recognition and enhancing reputation. From our offices across Europe and the Middle East, we adopt an integrated approach that connects the dots across channels, audiences and issues. Our collective of smart, curious people think differently and live by a shared mission, purpose, vision, and values. These shape how we work, not just with our colleagues, but with clients and partners too. Our mission is to ‘rewire communications for impact’ and harness its transformative power to advocate, trailblaze and make a difference. We do this by igniting and empowering the potential of every individual within our company, recognising that each person is a unique spark, capable of creating extraordinary impact. We believe that by nurturing and harnessing the collective brilliance of our people, we can drive innovation, foster an uncommon work culture, and make a positive difference to society. Embracing the complete range of skills and services across the communications spectrum without constraint, we create the best outcomes for our clients and deliver world-class work. Hanover is actively seeking a highly experienced and dynamic Account Director to become an integral part of our Healthcare Policy, Advocacy & Public Affairs team. This is an exceptional opportunity for someone to leverage their expertise in the healthcare sector and make a significant impact on our client services. As an Account Director, you will lead client relationships, providing senior strategic counsel and ensuring delivery of high-quality, commercially successful account programmes. You will guide clients through the complex landscape of healthcare policy, advocacy, and public affairs, while leading account teams and overseeing programme delivery and budgets. You will play a leading role in new business activity, including acquisition, development and pitching, alongside managing and mentoring junior team members. The role will be based in London and offers the opportunity to work across clients we share with our offices in Brussels, Dublin and the Middle East, as well as integrated accounts with our Healthcare Communications and Digital teams. The team works across a range of services including government relations, public affairs, market access, policy, advocacy and corporate communications across health and business. With over half of the world’s top 20 pharmaceutical companies, as well as NHS providers, health technology businesses and charities amongst our clients, we offer a diverse and compelling range of issues and opportunities. Responsibilities: * Lead client accounts, ensuring high-quality delivery, strong client satisfaction and commercial performance. * Build and lead high-impact political and NHS campaigns to deliver tangible policy change for our clients. * Lead high-profile events and stakeholder engagement programmes involving politicians, policymakers, NHS stakeholders and patient groups. * Deliver high-quality strategic intelligence and insights to our clients by utilising the Hanover network and building your own network and expertise across policy areas. * Maintain an uncompromising commitment to detail, rigorously reviewing all communications, reports and client deliverables to ensure accuracy and professionalism. * Identify opportunities to grow existing client relationships and broaden Hanover’s offer across accounts. * Develop and implement innovative strategies for growth, staying ahead of industry trends and positioning Hanover as a leader in the field. * Take a lead on new business pitches, being a core part of the team in building creative strategies and tactics and pitching to clients. * Deliver marketing activity to support Hanover Health’s business growth. * Support the management of expert steering groups to drive thought-leadership for our clients. * Personal management of junior members of the team providing guidance on professional development. * Active participant in championing the mission, vision, purpose, values and behaviours of Hanover. * Recognise and value the diverse backgrounds, skills, and perspectives of all individuals at Hanover. Requirements: * Relevant experience from a public affairs consultancy, in-house public affairs department, patient group/NGO, Parliament, or other relevant organisation. * Excellent knowledge of health policy and ability to analyse developments within the NHS and commercial environment. * A proven track record of success in account management within the healthcare policy, advocacy, or public affairs sector. * Eye for detail and ability to think critically about your own work and that of others. * Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to inspire and guide teams towards achieving shared goals. * Strong business acumen with experience in managing budgets and driving business growth. * Strong strategic judgement and ability to provide credible counsel to senior clients in complex and fast-moving policy environments. * Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building rapport with clients, team members, and stakeholders at all levels. * A commitment to professional development, both for self-improvement and for the mentorship of junior colleagues.   BENEFITS: In addition to a competitive salary, your core benefits package will include: * An annual performance-related bonus plus additional bonus potential linked to recruitment, new business and long service * 25 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays) * Private healthcare and dental insurance * Travel insurance * A company pension plan, including 5% employer contribution You’ll also have access to a wide range of opportunities and initiatives, including: * Flexible working policies, plus eligibility to apply for a sabbatical after 2 years’ service * Summer Fridays finish (3pm) – early Friday finish the rest of the year (4pm) * The Hanover Academy, which incorporates training, coaching, mentoring and reverse-mentoring opportunities to support personal development and career progression across all levels, with a generous training budget * International secondments as well as the opportunity to collaborate with all offices across the AVENIR GLOBAL’s network * A wellbeing programme, featuring (but not limited to) pre- and post-maternity leave coaching, a working parents’ group, subsidised gym membership * Our Culture Club, with a robust social calendar all year round and CSR activity Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement +    Hanover Communications is an equal opportunities employer, committed to creating and ensuring a fair, inclusive, and diverse work environment where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We believe that equality and diversity are essential to high performance and a thriving culture. We maintain a strict no-tolerance stance against any form of discrimination and harassment, ensuring all individuals are treated equitably, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, religion, beliefs, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital or pregnancy status, genetic background, or any other attribute safeguarded under our company policies or federal, state or local laws and legislation. We want to ensure that our hiring process is accessible. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please send an email to recruitment@hanovercomms.com with the nature of your request. We are committed to transparency about how we collect and use your data, including ensuring we comply with legal obligations relating to data protection. You can view our data privacy policy here.  Hanover is part of AVENIR GLOBAL’s powerhouse of specialist communications consultancies across EMEA and North America. Collectively we rank among the top 15 largest communication firms in the world. Find out more about Hanover and working for us.

Design Bridge and Partners

ABOUT US At Design Bridge and Partners, part of WPP, we design brands with the power to move. Pulling people towards them with an irresistible force that compels and connects. With 900 creative minds across 17 studios worldwide, diverse in expertise, experience, backgrounds and beliefs, we are united in our ambition to achieve real impact for our clients’ brands benefiting their business, people and the planet. With expertise across brand strategy, brand design, brand engagement and brand effectiveness our clients across the world include NASA Artemis, Unilever, Coca-Cola, Diageo, Mastercard, Intel, HSBC, Tencent, Twitch, Heineken, Reckitt and the BBC. ABOUT WPP WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com. ABOUT THE ROLE * To develop and build excellent client relationships. * To direct and deliver brand projects, incorporating all relevant expertise within Design Bridge. Responsibilities * Client relationships – ability to have intelligent conversations with clients at brand manager/marketing manager level, leading to mutual trust and excellent collaboration, nurturing existing client relationships and identifying and exploring new ones. * Brand/Project direction – providing strategic and creative brand expertise, acting as a true consultant. * To be hands on with the day-to-day detail of brands. * Inspirational team leadership – ensuring the highest level of project delivery, including the most effective and efficient way of working. * Financial responsibility - contributing to the delivery of the agreed target and profitability for the allocated clients as per the business plan. * Financial management: ensuring that all project budgets are approved by the Executive Client Director. * Pro-active in identifying and exploring new opportunities within the client company. * Internal team management – acting as a true mentor to the team in order to create an environment within which the team members can flourish and grow. * To champion high creative standards. ABOUT YOU  * Good understanding of all Design Bridge and Partner offers. * Excellent communicator. * Inspirational team leader. * Strong passion for strategic and creative brand development. * Bringing intelligence and imagination to brand challenges. * Maximising all opportunities within existing clients. * Pro-active in identifying and pursuing new opportunities. * Good commercial mindset. * Strong understanding of clients’ business and general brand/marketing issues. * Good judgment. * Managing expectations internally and externally. WHY US? We’re passionate about our people and their careers. We’ll help you develop your skills and provide you with outstanding benefits. So you’ll have a chance to make your mark on our future, as we make a mark on yours. We’re proud to be the world’s most awarded brand design agency, with 28 Cannes Lions to our name and Creative Review Annual’s Most Creative Design Agency of the Year 2024. You’ll get to take new projects to award-winning potential, as part of a connected team of brilliant, tenacious people right by your side and across the world.   We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process. Design Bridge and Partners, a WPP company, is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.   #LI-DNI #LI-DNP