Managing Partner- Medical Communications
Posted 7 days 8 hours ago by VML South Africa
At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.
Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.
Managing Partner, Client Engagement, Medical Communications
Reports to: Managing Director, Medical Communications, Global/ EU
Department: Client Services
Country: Italy or United Kingdom
City: Milan or London or Manchester
The Role:
As Managing Partner, you will join our leadership team and champion major accounts. You will be accountable for all aspects of the finished products and must understand the strategy for the brand(s) and projects and ensure the pieces are consistent with the strategic direction. As the senior member, you must ensure your teams deliver quality projects that are on-time and within budget. You will help us further innovate our offerings, mentor our talent, and grow our business-both organically and new. You will work collaboratively with other senior leaders within the division and your business unit.
What you'll do:
Strategic Leadership & Client Partnership
- Lead the brand strategically to become the clients' trusted advisor.
- Provide senior-level guidance and strategic direction to clients.
- Provide clients with strategic insights, using current market research data, publications, internal discussions, etc.
- Engage in forward thinking and planning for accounts and mine for opportunities for organic growth.
- Actively participate in strategic development and ensure that communication plans have alignment between issues, strategies and programming and challenge those that do not.
- Be the brand champion by ensuring all agency efforts and projects are in the best interest of the brand and meet the overall strategic imperatives, positioning, and long-term vision.
- Take responsibility for client satisfaction and identify new ways/solutions to strengthen relationships.
- Develop and maintain harmonious relationships with all levels of client teams.
- Foster and maintain a wide network of valuable relationships in the medical education communications and pharma business sectors.
- Provide proactive written recommendations to clients on a regular basis.
- Identify and resolve client conflicts quickly and efficiently.
- Keep management informed of client activity/issues/opportunities.
- Senior account leadership, motivation, and supervision of team members for multiple accounts.
- Act as a mentor to the individuals in the account group and identify opportunities for individual growth and experiences by setting goals and coaching, when appropriate.
- Celebrate brand achievements with the team.
- Assist in recruitment of new team members when necessary.
- Identify and help resolve people/departmental conflicts with practical solutions.
- Be a team player and help fellow senior managers when necessary.
Operational Excellence & Process Improvement
- Oversee integration of new ways of working, both with VML and WPP teams and VML Health partners to optimize workflow and efficiencies.
- Support the business transformation purpose of the partnership.
- Contribute and facilitate the development of new SOPs - integrating other units in the workflow.
- Ensure the team is adhering to internal processes.
- Understand the agency-branding process and foster/contribute to brand building among account groups.
- Ensure high-quality agency output, reflective of consistently superior creative and innovative product.
Business Development & Financial Management
- Identify and lead new business opportunities and organically grow current business by developing and executing account growth plans.
- Structure, plan, resource, and lead new business teams through the pitch process.
- Network and work in partnership across VML Health and WPP, when appropriate.
- Develop, with the finance team, realistic forecasts for client businesses.
- Proactively own business unit forecast, revenue, overages, profitability, and growth of accounts.
- Routinely monitor the financial performance of accounts to maximize income generation and troubleshoot when a healthy financial outlook for the account is in jeopardy.
- Understand client forecast/budget issues.
- Understand client compensation structure and any discounts we are required to give.
Industry Knowledge & Innovation
- Possess an intimate knowledge of the therapeutic markets to which the brands belong and stay abreast of market trends and new product entries.
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the therapeutic market and share timely information about changes in the market.
- Participate in the development of breakthrough creative and innovative programs.
- Be a steward of company culture and environment.
What you'll need:
- Bachelor's degree (biology or biochemistry major is preferred but not necessary). Advanced degrees in business administration and/or science are welcome.
- 10+ years previous experience as a senior account leader.
- Demonstrated history of leadership and business development in the medical area with at least 7-8 years in medical education.
- Experience managing multiple teams and client accounts.
- Multiple, successful new business pitches.
- Passion about the medical education/communication business.
- Strong industry knowledge and medical communications acumen.
- Effective written and oral communications skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and listening skills.
- Experience playing an active role in agency recruitment.
Please note this role can be based from Manchester, London or Milan.
At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond.