Vice President, Healthcare, Ruder Finn

About the role

Ruder Finn is seeking an exceptional Vice President, Health account lead to provide strategic counsel and execution for its clients in the healthcare sector. This role will oversee the planning and execution of strategic programs, product communications, DSE and regulatory milestones as well as play a key role in growing existing business and managing and cultivating staff.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the day-to-day lead for healthcare clients, managing strategy, planning and execution
• Oversee multiple projects and workstreams from planning through execution, anticipating challenges, troubleshooting issues, proposing solutions, and ensuring deadlines and budgets are adhered to
• Contribute significantly to the development of comprehensive and innovative integrated communications programs, campaign recommendations and budgeting
• Provide an excellent level of client service by delivering projects on time and that are high quality in nature and error-free; manage multiple workstreams keeping teams on task and on deadline
• Manage, mentor, and develop junior and mid-level talent by identifying skills and repositioning roles as necessary to create a best-in-class teams
• Provide thoughtful client counsel and recommendations that reflect an understanding of client priorities, the healthcare landscape, and communications best practices
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of clients’ businesses, including competitors, product landscapes, public opinion and market trends, influencers, media dynamics, and factors that may impact communications strategy
• Apply innovative thinking to generate new approaches, alternative strategies, and creative program ideas
• Identify potential issues early, elevate challenges with recommended solutions, and know when to seek senior counsel
• Lead the development of core communications materials, including media strategies, press releases, key message documents, social media content, briefing materials, communications plans, and client presentations
• Ensure strong quality control across client materials, reviewing for accuracy, strategic alignment, clarity, and polish
• Maintain a high level of responsiveness and communicate with clients, supervisors, and account teams in a clear, timely, and solutions-oriented manner
• Motivate team members to work together toward shared objectives and high-quality outcomes
• Convey ideas clearly and confidently in client meetings and presentations
• Delegate effectively by setting clear expectations, deadlines, context, and measures of success
• Build program budgets, track finances, create SOWs, and support forecasting while ensuring resources align with client needs

Qualifications

• Minimum 8+ years of experience within public relations/communications, healthcare/pharma experience is required
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism or related field
• Previous experience in healthcare communications with experience working on pharmaceutical products, biotech and/or patient advocacy
• Experience with data and regulatory milestones communications is required
• Experience in working with patient advocacy groups, patients and influencers is required
• A personal passion to work across all verticals in the healthcare space
• Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to build relationships
• Demonstrated track record of developing and executing successful communications programs for healthcare brands
• Curiosity and comfort with integrating AI into communications and workflows
• Strong writing and organizational skills and ability to multi-task
• Ability to contribute to strategic thinking and the development and execution of programs