Account director, publications & med affairs

Edinburgh – UK; London – UK; Manchester – UK

At Real Chemistry, making the world a healthier place isn’t just an aspiration—it’s our everyday reality. Our drive to transform healthcare is informed by our blend of deep scientific expertise, human‑centred creativity, and AI‑driven insights, fostering a unique environment where innovation thrives and our people are impact‑obsessed. As a global agency, we provide a full suite of services across healthcare communications and marketing to our clients, including top players in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

Our culture is rooted in our people – we believe we are best together and are committed to excellence for both our clients and colleagues. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career, if you share our passion for healthcare and connection, we invite you to explore our opportunities.

What We Need?

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and energetic Account Director to join our award‑winning team. Working across one of our growing global publications accounts and supporting other medical affairs accounts, you will be responsible for excellence in delivery across the entire programme, providing strategic counsel to clients, leading a cross‑functional internal team, and proactively seeking opportunities to grow the account.

What Will You Do?

• Be the go‑to for clients, managing relationships and setting their expectations
• Take accountability for delivery of client work on our growing publications account and an additional medical affairs account
• Maintain knowledge of clients’ business and external factors impacting it
• Confidently formulate objectives and strategies for new client work
• Identify areas for organic growth within existing accounts and confidently sell ideas
• Identify new business opportunities outside existing accounts
• Support the ongoing new business process
• Promote clear and free‑flowing communication lines between accounts, PM, creative, strategists and other business functions
• Provide coaching and mentoring to junior team members and manage their performance
• Line‑manage at least one accounts team member, providing day‑to‑day support and long‑term career development guidance
• Take responsibility for financial management of your client business and participate in the monthly financial process
• Develop accurate budgets for clients and track resource use against budget throughout the month
• Accurately forecast and proactively alert senior leadership to any changes or potential slowing of business
• Ensure profitability of your accounts, addressing problems such as over‑service or scope creep

Who You Are?

• Already working as an Account Director within a medical communications agency
• Extensive experience on publications and medical affairs accounts
• Excellent business communication skills, including informal and formal presentation and writing skills
• Skilled in data communication and able to develop final documents and presentations
• Proven ability to develop solutions to client needs and problems
• Leadership skills, with experience and capability to lead and develop junior staff
• Proven ability to support and drive new business operations alone and as part of a larger team

Benefits

Real Chemistry offers a comprehensive benefit program and perks tailored to your region. This includes free snacks, generous holiday and paid time off, private medical, dental and vision plans, support to save for the future, mental wellness coaching and support, and access to more than 13,000 online classes with LinkedIn Learning.

Equal Opportunity

Real Chemistry is an Equal Opportunity employer. We strive to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable work environment where employees feel empowered to leverage all they bring from their personal lived experience and professional expertise. We encourage motivated and qualified applicants to apply without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local employment discrimination laws. If you require accommodations throughout the interview process, please let your recruiter know.