Vice President, Healthcare, Ruder Finn

About this role

Ruder Finn is seeking a Vice President, Healthcare, to lead a major pharmaceutical account in the diabetes space. This individual will oversee an integrated program spanning earned media, influencer programming, patient and stakeholder engagement, events, and other communications initiatives. The Vice President will set the communications strategy, provide senior client counsel, and lead high-impact programs that advance business   objectives   and strengthen the brand’s reputation.  

This individual will serve as a day-to-day leader for a multidisciplinary account team, ensuring excellence in client service, strategic   thinking   and program execution. The ideal candidate is a strong communications strategist with deep pharmaceutical industry experience, an extensive understanding of the media landscape and a proven   track record   of delivering integrated communications programs that drive meaningful business results.  

As a Vice President, you will   be responsible for   managing account performance, fostering strong client relationships,   identifying   growth opportunities, and mentoring team members while helping to shape the future of one of the agency's most important client partnerships.  

Key   Responsibilities  

• Serve as a senior day-to-day client lead and trusted strategic advisor for a flagship pharmaceutical account, providing counsel on corporate communications, media relations, community engagement initiatives, announcements, and reputation-building initiatives.  

• Develop and oversee comprehensive and innovative integrated communications strategies, programs, campaign recommendations, and budgets that align with client business   objectives   and support key corporate and brand priorities.  

• Oversee multiple projects and workstreams from planning through execution,   anticipating   challenges, troubleshooting issues, proposing solutions, and ensuring deadlines are   met   and budgets are effectively managed.  

• Lead and evolve proactive earned media programs, including patient and community storytelling, local media outreach surrounding events, and strategic announcements.  

• Oversee the planning and execution of high-profile community events, stakeholder and patient advocacy group engagements, and targeted healthcare professional forums, ensuring alignment with broader communications and business   objectives .  

• Provide thoughtful client counsel and recommendations that reflect an understanding of client priorities, the healthcare landscape, and communications best practices.  

• Demonstrate strong knowledge of the client’s business, including competitors, product landscapes, public opinion and market trends, influencers, media dynamics, policy developments, and other factors that may affect 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   additional   senior counsel.  

• Ensure strong quality control across client materials, reviewing for accuracy, strategic alignment, clarity, and polish, while ensuring high-quality, error-free work is delivered on time.  

• Maintain   a high level   of responsiveness and communicate with clients, supervisors, and account teams in a clear,   timely , and solutions-oriented manner.  

• Manage, mentor, and develop junior and mid-level talent, aligning roles with individual strengths and development needs and promoting collaboration across digital, creative, analytics, and account management.  

• Serve as a role model for junior team members and delegate effectively by setting clear expectations, deadlines, context, and measures of success.  

• Build and   maintain   strong relationships with client stakeholders and external partners while serving as a senior representative of the agency.  

• Manage overall account performance and financials, including budgets, staffing, forecasting, profitability, and client service.  

• Identify   opportunities to grow existing   business   and contribute to new business development efforts across the practice.  

• Stay ahead of healthcare, pharmaceutical, policy, and media landscape trends to help guide client strategy and uncover emerging opportunities.  

Qualifications  

• 8 -10 years of experience   in   public relations, strategic   communications   or corporate affairs, with significant pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or healthcare communications experience.  

• Demonstrated success leading large, complex client relationships and integrated communications programs.  

• Deep   expertise   in earned media strategy and corporate reputation management.  

• Experience managing conferences, events ,   stakeholder   engagements   and high-profile communications initiatives.  

• Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and client counseling skills.  

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, lead   teams   and drive projects from strategy through execution.  

• Experience managing budgets, account   profitability   and resource planning.  

• Strong leadership skills with a demonstrated commitment to mentoring and developing talent.  

• Bachelor's degree in Communications , Public Relations, Journalism,   Marketing   or   a related   field.  

Benefits and More  

• You   will receive a competitive base salary and bonus opportunity .  

• You will also be able to enroll in our Health, Dental, Vision, company paid Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Account, as well as 401k (match) plan.  

• Monthly allowance for cell   phone , office equipment, etc.  

• Generous PTO policy with paid maternity/ paternity leave  

• Transit benefits  

• Professional learning and development opportunities  

• Workplace flexibility  

• On-site and off-site social gatherings  

  The anticipated salary range for this position, at the time of posting, is $120,000 – $145

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