Group Account Director needed in Johannesburg

Edelman is a leading global communications marketing firm, with more than 5, 500 employees in 65 cities worldwide. Edelman partners with many of the worlds largest and emerging business and organisations, helping them evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputation. Edelman UK and Ireland is made up of over 550 brand, reputation, research and digital strategists who drive award-winning creative communication programmes for a roster of high profile clients.

We are looking for a leader and a seasoned communicator with a robust fluency in healthcare communications. An ideal candidate is a self-starter, good new business driver, with depth of experience and relationships in the sector, strong knowledge of policy priorities, and experience with healthcare and or pharmaceutical companies in Africa. Someone who is experienced in running health and or pharmaceutical communications campaigns in house or at an Agency

Responsibilities:

• Oversee financial and operational performance of multiple accounts simultaneously, ensuring quality work, deadline and budget adherence, and that plan creation and execution map to goals
• Counsel clients and troubleshoot client and internal issues
• Demonstrate writing excellence when crafting internal and client materials and correspondence
• Demonstrate strong understanding of pharmaceutical product data and regulatory milestones
• Use relationships with third-party influencers and internal business partners to meet client needs
• Supervise staff by mentoring, motivating, coaching, consistently providing feedback, holding them accountable and conducting their reviews
• Introduce clients to new capabilities, initiate new business process and display strong presentation skills during client pitches
• Commit to continuous learning and improvement of leadership skills; set and pursue stretch goals
• Play major role in creation of communications plans and goals; manage against them
• Serve as daily client contact and act as client lead when appropriate, address client issues thoughtfully and effectively
• Consistently produce high-quality internal and external communications content
• Contribute to business growth through introducing clients to new capabilities, building network of industry contacts and participating in relevant professional organizations
• Ability to write strategic media plans and a variety of media materials with limited oversight

Skills

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in public relations and/or related fields including research, advertising, management consulting, media and publishing.
• Experience in healthcare communications or Pharmaceutical sector
• Have experience with and knowledge of earned media, particularly in the health and pharma space
• Experienced in running health and or pharmaceutical communications campaigns in house or at agency
• Experience effectively managing multiple sizable account (including financials) and serving as the daily client contact simultaneously.
• Have experience managing campaign launches, milestone announcements, media events, and desk-side briefings
• Strong communication active listening and ability to persuade and negotiate
• Superior written and verbal communications skills along with the proven ability to consistently make Sounds judgments and effectively motivate and manage teams.
• Confidence in presenting ideas and providing counsel to internal and external audiences
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills
• Ability to manage competing interests
• High emotional intelligence
• Good judgment and willingness to take risks
• Forward-thinking
• Bachelors degree in a related field

Edelman is a global communications firm that partners with businesses and organizations to evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations. Our 6, 000 people in more than 60 offices deliver communications strategies that give our clients the confidence to lead and act with certainty, earning the trust of their stakeholders. Our honors include the Cannes Lions Grand Prix for PR; Advertising Ages 2019 A-List; the Holmes Reports 2018 Global Digital Agency of the Year; and, five times, Glassdoors Best Places to Work. Since our founding in 1952, we have remained an independent, family-run business. Edelman owns specialty companies Edelman Data & Intelligence (DxI) and United Entertainment Group (entertainment, sports, lifestyle).

For more information please visit: www.edelman.com

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