📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Account Director
🔹 Company: Ashfield MedComms
🔹 Location: Macclesfield, Cheshire & Manchester, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Medical Communications
🔹 Date Posted: April 8, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Supervising a range of communications projects within Medical Education, Medical Affairs, and Publications
- Establishing strong relationships with clients and internal colleagues
- Delivering scientific services and leading project planning and strategy
- Mentoring and line management activities
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of scientific expertise, project management, and client relationship skills. Candidates should be comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Supervise a range of communications projects within Medical Education, Medical Affairs, and Publications
✅ Use project management, leadership skills, and scientific expertise to deliver a variety of scientific services to clients
✅ Establish and maintain excellent relations with clients and internal colleagues, meeting and surpassing client needs and guaranteeing high business standards
✅ Research information from various sources to provide expertise in therapy areas and products, acting as a primary client liaison point
✅ Work as part of a collaborative team and supervise projects on dynamic and fast-paced accounts
✅ Lead on planning and strategy, acting as a primary liaison point
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of multitasking and requires strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects and client relationships effectively.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or a related field
Experience: 5-10 years of experience in medical communications, with a proven background in project and client management
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in project management and client management
- Strong therapy area experience
- Excellent financial understanding, with experience in budgeting and forecasting
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work well within a team and lead on client-facing projects
Preferred Skills:
- Background in Life Sciences
- Experience in mentorship and line management
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a background in Life Sciences and experience in mentorship and line management will have a strong advantage in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £55,000 - £70,000 per annum (Estimated based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location)
Benefits:
- Private Medical Insurance
- Company Pension Scheme
Working Hours: Full-time, with flexible working options available
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's qualifications and the company's internal salary structure.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Company Size: Medium (501-1,000 employees)
Founded: 1992 (As Ashfield Healthcare)
Company Description:
- Ashfield MedComms is part of Inizio Medical, a strategic partner for health and life sciences with a full suite of medical, marketing, advisory, and engagement services.
- The company specializes in medical communications, creating compelling content and engaging communities to achieve outcomes that matter.
- Ashfield MedComms is known for its friendly and informal working environment, offering excellent opportunities for career and personal development.
Company Specialties:
- Medical Communications
- Publication Planning
- Data Analytics
- Patient Engagement
- Strategy Development
- Creative Science
- Meeting Planning
Company Website: ashfieldmedcomms.com
ASSUMPTION: Ashfield MedComms values diversity, inclusion, and belonging, aiming to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to Senior
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Head of Account Management
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (Macclesfield & Manchester offices)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential career progression to Senior Account Director or Account Management leadership roles
- Opportunities to work on diverse projects and accounts, gaining broad experience in medical communications
- Chance to mentor and develop junior team members
ASSUMPTION: This role offers strong growth potential for candidates looking to advance their careers in medical communications and account management.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (Macclesfield & Manchester offices)
Office Location(s): Victoria Mill, Windmill Street, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK11 7HQ & Harrlachweg 11, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg 68163, DE
Geographic Context:
- Macclesfield: A market town in Cheshire East, located in North West England, with a population of approximately 52,000
- Manchester: A major city in North West England, with a population of around 550,000, known for its vibrant cultural scene and rich industrial history
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible working options available
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a balance between on-site collaboration and remote work, offering flexibility to employees.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screening with the HR team
- Face-to-face or video interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with the Head of Account Management
Key Assessment Areas:
- Relevant experience in medical communications and account management
- Strong project management and leadership skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work well within a team and manage client relationships
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your project management and client relationship skills, as well as your scientific expertise
- Research Ashfield MedComms and Inizio Medical to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its values
ATS Keywords: Medical Communications, Account Management, Project Management, Client Relationships, Scientific Expertise, Medical Education, Medical Affairs, Publications, Therapy Area Experience, Budgeting, Forecasting
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should focus on demonstrating their relevant experience and skills in their application materials, tailoring their content to the specific requirements of this role.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack)
- Industry-specific software and platforms (e.g., Veeva, Medscape)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable using Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools, as well as any industry-specific software relevant to the role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Collaboration
- Expertise
- Innovation
- Patient focus
Work Style:
- Dynamic and fast-paced
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Focused on delivering high-quality work and meeting client needs
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment?
- Are you comfortable working collaboratively with a team and managing client relationships?
- Do you have a strong work ethic and a commitment to delivering high-quality work?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who are a strong cultural fit for Ashfield MedComms will be comfortable working in a dynamic, collaborative environment and share the company's values and commitment to excellence.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and client relationships simultaneously
- Working in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines
- Adapting to changes in client needs and priorities
- Balancing on-site and remote work effectively in a hybrid arrangement
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and be able to manage multiple projects and client relationships effectively.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Account Manager vs. Account Director: Account Managers typically have less experience and are responsible for managing smaller accounts, while Account Directors oversee larger, more complex accounts and have more strategic responsibilities
- Medical Communications vs. Other Healthcare Communications Roles: Medical Communications focuses on scientific and clinical content, while other healthcare communications roles may focus more on marketing, branding, or patient engagement
- Career Path: This role offers potential progression to Senior Account Director or Account Management leadership roles, with opportunities to specialize in specific therapy areas or accounts
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider their career goals and experience level when comparing this role to similar positions in the industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a strategic communications plan for a new drug launch
- Managing a team to create and deliver a series of medical education events for healthcare professionals
- Collaborating with clients to develop and publish scientific manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and deliverables for this role, highlighting the need for strong project management, scientific expertise, and client relationship skills.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and how this role fits within it?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how have previous incumbents succeeded in managing them?
- How does Ashfield MedComms support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does Ashfield MedComms foster a culture of diversity, inclusion, and belonging?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company culture, enabling them to make an informed decision about their application.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through Ashfield MedComms Careers page
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your project management and client relationship skills, as well as your scientific expertise
- Research Ashfield MedComms and Inizio Medical to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its values
- Follow up with the HR team one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about next steps
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
