📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Account Director
🔹 Company: Havas Group
🔹 Location: Surrey, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Advertising & Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: April 16, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Providing clear project leadership and ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget
- Leading client relationships and guiding the team while providing strategic input based on industry developments
- Working closely with other members of the client services team and collaborating with Medical Writers and the Creative team
- Promoting the business's offering to clients to identify new business opportunities
- Contributing towards discussions about overall company strategy
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, client management, and team leadership skills. The ideal candidate will have experience in a similar role within the pharmaceutical sector of the communications industry.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Take full ownership of the projects for each client, ranging from strategic input to day-to-day management duties
✅ Monitor forecasts and plans to ensure business objectives are met on time, to standard, and within the client's budget
✅ Develop a thorough understanding of the client’s objectives, product strategy, and relevant therapeutic areas
✅ Manage and influence client contacts and maintain positive working relationships
✅ Provide effective line management responsibility for Account Managers and Senior Account Executives
✅ Ensure effective communications when supporting cross-company working on integrated accounts
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of strategic planning, client management, and team leadership. Strong communication and project management skills are essential.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field
Experience: Proven experience in client account handling from a comms agency background with a focus on the pharmaceutical sector
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in line management and leading a team
- Excellent project leadership and management skills
- Strong client relationship management skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment
- Proactive awareness and understanding of new developments in the relevant therapy areas and the healthcare industry
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working on integrated accounts
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in client account handling within the pharmaceutical sector and experience leading a team.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £60,000 - £80,000 per annum (Based on industry standards for an Account Director role in the UK with 5-10 years of experience)
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Pension plan
- Generous holiday allowance
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM with flexibility for project demands
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards for an Account Director role in the UK with 5-10 years of experience. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's skills, experience, and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Advertising & Marketing, specifically focused on brand promotion, disease awareness, PR, events, social media, digital engagement, and medical communication within the pharmaceutical sector
Company Size: Havas Group is a large global communications network with over 10,000 employees worldwide. This role is within the Havas Life London agency, which is part of the Havas Health network.
Founded: 1835 (Havas Group), with the Havas Life London agency being a more recent addition to the network
Company Description:
- Havas Group is one of the world’s largest global communications networks, with a mission to make a meaningful difference to brands, businesses, and people
- The Havas Life London agency specializes in brand promotion, disease awareness, PR, events, social media, digital engagement, and medical communication within the pharmaceutical sector
- The agency is currently undergoing a significant transformation to become recognized internationally for its award-winning ideas and to enhance the reputation and growth of the Havas Health network
Company Specialties:
- Brand promotion
- Disease awareness
- PR
- Events
- Social media
- Digital engagement
- Medical communication
Company Website: https://www.havas.com/
ASSUMPTION: Havas Group is a well-established global communications network with a strong presence in the advertising and marketing industry. The Havas Life London agency is focused on the pharmaceutical sector and is currently undergoing a significant transformation to enhance its reputation and growth within the Havas Health network.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid to Senior level, with the opportunity for growth and progression within the company
Reporting Structure: The Account Director reports directly to the Agency Lead and oversees Account Managers and Senior Account Executives
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time role with the opportunity for flexible working arrangements based on project demands
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a more senior role within the agency, such as Agency Lead or another leadership position
- Expansion of responsibilities to include additional clients or therapy areas
- Opportunities for professional development and training to enhance skills and knowledge
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for growth and progression within the agency and the wider Havas Health network. The ideal candidate will be proactive and ambitious, with a strong desire to develop their career within the company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space with state-of-the-art facilities
Office Location(s): Surrey - FerryWorks, United Kingdom
Geographic Context:
- The office is located in Surrey, a county in South East England known for its beautiful countryside and proximity to London
- The office is easily accessible by public transportation, with nearby train stations and bus routes
- The area offers a range of amenities, including shops, restaurants, and recreational facilities
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM with flexibility for project demands
ASSUMPTION: The office environment is modern, collaborative, and well-equipped to support the team's needs. The location offers a good work-life balance, with easy access to both the countryside and the city.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR team
- First-round interview with the Agency Lead and a member of the client services team
- Second-round interview with the Agency Lead and other senior members of the team
- Final-round interview with the Agency Lead and the Havas Group HR team
Key Assessment Areas:
- Client management and relationship-building skills
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Project management and leadership skills
- Industry knowledge and understanding of relevant therapy areas
- Communication and interpersonal skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of the pharmaceutical sector and the agency's focus on brand promotion, disease awareness, PR, events, social media, digital engagement, and medical communication
- Prepare examples of your client management, project management, and strategic thinking skills to discuss during the interview
ATS Keywords: Account Director, Client Relationship Management, Project Leadership, Strategic Input, Team Management, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Client Services, Medical Communication, Brand Promotion, Disease Awareness, PR, Events, Social Media, Digital Engagement
ASSUMPTION: The interview process is designed to assess the candidate's client management, strategic thinking, project management, and industry knowledge skills. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in client account handling within the pharmaceutical sector and experience leading a team.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Client relationship management software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Industry-specific software and platforms (e.g., medical communication tools, market research databases)
ASSUMPTION: The role requires proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools. Familiarity with industry-specific software and platforms is also beneficial.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Collaboration: Working together to achieve common goals
- Creativity: Encouraging innovative thinking and ideas
- Integrity: Acting with honesty and transparency in all aspects of work
- Excellence: Striving for the highest standards in all that we do
Work Style:
- Collaborative: Working closely with team members to achieve common goals
- Dynamic: Adapting to changing circumstances and demands
- Results-driven: Focusing on achieving tangible outcomes and delivering results
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have experience working collaboratively with team members to achieve common goals?
- Are you comfortable working in a dynamic environment and adapting to changing circumstances?
- Do you have a proven track record of delivering results and achieving tangible outcomes?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be a strong collaborator, comfortable working in a dynamic environment, and results-driven, with a commitment to delivering excellence in all aspects of their work.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role may require working on multiple projects simultaneously, requiring strong project management and organizational skills
- The pharmaceutical sector is subject to strict regulations and guidelines, requiring a thorough understanding of relevant laws and ethical considerations
- The role may involve working with tight deadlines and demanding clients, requiring strong time management and communication skills
- The agency is currently undergoing a significant transformation, which may present challenges and opportunities for growth and development
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously, understand and comply with relevant regulations and ethical considerations, work effectively under pressure, and embrace the challenges and opportunities presented by the agency's transformation.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Account Director roles in other advertising or marketing agencies may have a broader focus, encompassing multiple therapy areas or clients
- Account Director roles in pharmaceutical companies may have a more specialized focus, focusing on a specific therapeutic area or product
- This role offers the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects and clients, providing a broad range of experience and development opportunities
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be attracted to the diverse range of projects and clients offered by this role, providing a broad range of experience and development opportunities.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a brand promotion campaign for a new pharmaceutical product launch
- Creating and executing a disease awareness campaign to raise awareness of a specific health condition
- Managing a team to deliver a medical communication project, such as a medical education program or a clinical trial recruitment campaign
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience working on similar projects and be able to demonstrate their ability to deliver high-quality results.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the agency's transformation and how this role will contribute to its success?
- How does the agency support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does the agency approach collaboration and teamwork across different departments and disciplines?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare for them?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will ask thoughtful and insightful questions to demonstrate their interest in the role and the agency, and to gain a deeper understanding of the company's culture and priorities.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your client management, project management, and strategic thinking skills to discuss during the interview
- Follow up with the Havas Group HR team within one week of submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
