📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Account Director - Health and Wellness
🔹 Company: Burson
🔹 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (4 days in office)
🔹 Category: Public Relations and Communications Services
🔹 Date Posted: May 5, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 7-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading impactful health and wellness campaigns
- Managing key client accounts and building strong relationships
- Developing strategic communications and providing strategic counsel
- Driving new business and managing proposals
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, client management, and campaign execution. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in pharmaceutical communications and a passion for health and wellness.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead impactful health & wellness campaigns: Shape strategy, development, and execution of PR programs that improve the health of Canadians.
✅ Manage key client accounts: Build strong relationships, orchestrate workstreams, and coach account teams to ensure client success.
✅ Develop strategic communications: Oversee the creation of campaign strategies, digital content, media materials, and client messaging.
✅ Drive new business: Manage proposals and represent Burson in pitch presentations.
✅ Provide strategic counsel: Deliver thoughtful insights and proactive counsel to clients based on deep industry knowledge.
✅ Foster a collaborative environment: Contribute expertise, passion, and creativity to a supportive and entrepreneurial team.
✅ Manage financial performance: Assist in tracking key financial levers, developing budgets, and ensuring fiscal responsibility.
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of client-facing responsibilities, campaign management, and internal team leadership. Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills are essential for success.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, or a related field.
Experience: 7-10 years of full-time PR experience, with a focus on pharmaceutical communications and agency/consulting experience.
Required Skills:
- Proven ability to write content, communications plans, executive messaging, etc.
- Understanding of ASC and PAAB requirements
- Experience leading and coaching teams
- Strong working knowledge of the Canadian healthcare industry and relevant media contacts
- Strategic thinking and curiosity about clients' business and communications challenges
- Excellent writing and communication skills
Preferred Skills:
- Bilingual (English/French) skills
- Experience working with global clients
ASSUMPTION: Given the role's focus on pharmaceutical communications and client management, candidates with relevant experience and strong writing skills are most likely to succeed.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: CAD 120,000 - 160,000 per year (Based on industry standards for Account Directors with 7-10 years of experience in Toronto)
Benefits:
- Professional Development Opportunities
- Mentorship Programs
- Vibrant Company Culture
- Collaboration and Innovation
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement (4 days in office)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for Account Directors with similar experience levels in Toronto. Burson offers competitive benefits and a hybrid work arrangement to attract and retain top talent.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Burson is a global leader in communications, specializing in creating value for clients through reputation. They reinvent how reputation creates competitive advantage for their clients.
Company Size: Burson has 5,001-10,000 employees globally, providing ample opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: Burson was founded in 1953 and has since grown into a leading global communications agency.
Company Description:
- Burson is purpose-built to create value for clients through reputation
- They reinvent how reputation creates competitive advantage for clients
- Burson offers a dynamic environment where ambitious colleagues can elevate their skills and expand their networks
Company Specialties:
- Public Relations and Communications Services
- Health and Wellness Communications
- Pharmaceutical Communications
Company Website: https://www.bursonglobal.com/
ASSUMPTION: Burson's global presence and focus on reputation management make it an attractive choice for communications professionals seeking to grow their careers in a dynamic and innovative environment.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, with opportunities for growth and leadership within the organization.
Reporting Structure: The Account Director reports directly to the Managing Director and oversees a team of account managers and executives.
Work Arrangement: The role follows a hybrid work arrangement, with employees working from the office around four days a week.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a more senior role, such as Vice President or Senior Vice President
- Expanding expertise in specific industry sectors or service offerings
- Developing leadership and mentoring skills by guiding junior team members
ASSUMPTION: The Account Director role offers a clear path for career progression within Burson, with opportunities for growth in leadership, expertise, and mentorship.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Burson's Toronto office is a collaborative and innovative workspace, designed to foster creativity and connection among team members.
Office Location(s): Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Geographic Context:
- Toronto is a multicultural city with a vibrant business environment
- The city offers numerous opportunities for professional growth and networking
- Toronto has a thriving healthcare industry, providing ample opportunities for client engagement and collaboration
Work Schedule: Full-time, with a hybrid work arrangement (4 days in office)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement at Burson's Toronto office provides employees with the flexibility to balance their professional and personal lives while maintaining a strong connection to the team and the organization.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the Talent Acquisition team
- In-depth interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with the Managing Director or another senior leader
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Client management and relationship-building abilities
- Campaign development and execution skills
- Leadership and team management skills
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience in pharmaceutical communications and client management
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize skills and experiences that match the required qualifications
- Prepare examples of successful campaigns or projects that demonstrate your ability to lead and execute strategic communications initiatives
- Research Burson's company culture and values to ensure a strong fit with your personal and professional goals
ATS Keywords: Pharmaceutical Communications, Client Management, Strategic Thinking, Campaign Development, Leadership, Team Management, Burson, Health and Wellness, Toronto
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should tailor their application materials to highlight their relevant experience and skills, and be prepared to discuss their approach to strategic thinking, client management, and campaign development during the interview process.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Media monitoring and analysis tools (e.g., Mention, Brand24, Hootsuite)
ASSUMPTION: The Account Director should be proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools to manage client accounts and team workflows. Familiarity with media monitoring and analysis tools is also beneficial for tracking and evaluating campaign performance.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Craft: Burson values creativity, innovation, and excellence in all aspects of its work
- Curiosity: Burson encourages continuous learning and curiosity about clients' businesses and industries
- Camaraderie: Burson fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment
- Counsel: Burson provides strategic and proactive counsel to clients, based on deep industry knowledge and insights
Work Style:
- Burson values a hybrid work arrangement, with employees working from the office around four days a week
- The company encourages a work-life balance, with flexible working hours and remote work options
- Burson promotes a dynamic and entrepreneurial work environment, with opportunities for growth and innovation
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a proven track record of leading successful health and wellness campaigns?
- Are you comfortable managing multiple client accounts and building strong relationships with key client contacts?
- Do you possess strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to develop strategic communications plans and executive messaging?
- Are you passionate about the health and wellness of all people across Canada and committed to driving meaningful change through strategic communications initiatives?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should assess their fit with Burson's company values and work style, and be prepared to discuss their alignment with the company's mission and goals during the interview process.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple client accounts and balancing competing priorities
- Keeping up with industry trends and regulatory changes in the healthcare sector
- Adapting to a hybrid work arrangement and maintaining strong team cohesion
- Developing and executing strategic communications plans under tight deadlines
ASSUMPTION: The Account Director role presents unique challenges that require strong organizational skills, adaptability, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Account Director vs. Account Manager: The Account Director role requires more strategic thinking, leadership, and client management experience than the Account Manager role. However, both roles involve campaign development and execution, as well as team management.
- Pharmaceutical Communications vs. Consumer Health Communications: The Account Director role focuses on pharmaceutical communications, requiring a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory landscape. In contrast, consumer health communications involves a broader range of health and wellness topics, with a focus on consumer-facing initiatives.
- Agency vs. In-house Communications: The Account Director role in an agency setting offers exposure to multiple clients and industries, providing opportunities for growth and diversification. In contrast, an in-house communications role focuses on a single organization, allowing for deeper expertise and integration with the company's overall strategy.
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should consider their career goals and preferences when comparing similar roles, and be prepared to discuss their fit with the specific requirements and work environment of the Account Director role at Burson.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a strategic communications plan for a new pharmaceutical product launch, including media relations, digital content, and influencer marketing initiatives
- Managing a crisis communications response for a healthcare organization facing a public health emergency, including media monitoring, messaging development, and stakeholder engagement
- Coordinating a multi-market campaign for a consumer health product, including market research, segmentation, and tailored messaging for diverse audiences
ASSUMPTION: The Account Director role involves a wide range of projects, requiring adaptability, creativity, and strategic thinking to deliver meaningful results for clients.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics, and how this role fits within the organization?
- What are the most pressing challenges facing the healthcare industry, and how does Burson help clients navigate these challenges?
- How does Burson support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in the Account Director role?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance and flexibility in the hybrid work arrangement?
- How does Burson measure the success of its campaigns, and what metrics are most important for this role?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate their curiosity about the role, the team, and the company, and be ready to discuss their fit with Burson's mission and values.
📌 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, emphasizing your fit with the required qualifications
- Prepare examples of successful campaigns or projects that demonstrate your ability to lead and execute strategic communications initiatives
- Research Burson's company culture and values to ensure a strong fit with your personal and professional goals
- Follow up with the hiring team one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
