Senior Vice President, Corporate Healthcare, Ruder Finn

About the role

Ruder Finn is one of the world's largest independent global communications and integrated marketing agencies, recognized for bold ideas, strategic thinking, and a culture that continually pushes what's next. The agency continues to earn recognition for its industry leadership, creativity, and growth, including being named Large Agency of the Year at the 2026 PRWeek U.S. Awards and one of PRWeek's Best Places to Work. We are seeking a forward-thinking Senior Vice President, Corporate Healthcare to support strategic communications, corporate reputation, thought leadership, narrative and content development, executive visibility support, patient advocacy engagement, issues counsel, and more for a portfolio of key clients in the health and life science verticals.

Responsibilities

• Lead corporate communications strategy, with a focus on corporate reputation, thought leadership, executive visibility, stakeholder engagement, and narrative development aligned to clients’ business goals/metrics and KPIs
• Develop compelling corporate narratives, messaging frameworks, content strategies, and executive platforms aligned with client business objectives and reputational priorities
• Translate complex scientific, clinical, R&D, pipeline, and business information into accessible communications for internal and external audiences
• Bring knowledge of, and support, executive thought leadership programs, including bylined articles, speeches, op-eds, LinkedIn content, conference platforms, and speaking engagement preparation
• Partner with clients to identify and shape timely points of view on industry issues, innovation, access, policy, stakeholder expectations, patient needs, and the future of the health care industry
• Lead communications programs related to R&D, scientific platforms, corporate positioning, and enterprise storytelling
• Provide senior-level counsel on messaging, reputation, issues management, stakeholder dynamics, and communications opportunities
• Oversee content development across strategic plans, message maps, executive remarks, Q&As, backgrounders, digital content, white papers, presentations, and internal communications
• Partner cross-functionally across the organization to develop and deliver integrated communications programs that are strategically sharp, aligned with client objectives, and are executionally excellent
• Guide teams in developing high-quality work, ensuring strategic rigor, strong writing, scientific accuracy, and alignment with client goals
• Support new business efforts, including strategy development, proposal writing, pitch participation, and organic growth opportunities
• Mentor and manage junior and mid-level team members, fostering strong strategic thinking, writing, client service, and communications expertise

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in public relations, corporate communications, health communications, or a related field
• Strong background in corporate communications, thought leadership, executive positioning, narrative development, and content strategy for pharmaceutical healthcare clients
• Exceptional writing, editing, and message development skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific and business information into clear, persuasive communications
• Strong understanding of corporate reputation, stakeholder engagement, regulated communications environments, and the broader healthcare landscape
• Experience preparing executives for speaking engagements, media opportunities, conferences, panels, internal events, and stakeholder meetings
• Proven ability to lead complex accounts and guide integrated teams across multiple workstreams
• Strong strategic judgment, attention to detail, and ability to navigate fast-moving, complex environments
• Experience managing and mentoring teams, with a commitment to developing talent and maintaining high-quality work
• Curiosity and comfort with integrating AI into communications and workflows