Director, Health

MHP Group is the integrated communications agency built for the Networked Age - a world that's increasingly connected, complex, polarised and activist.

We lead the way in the application of behavioural science to solve communications challenges. We create strategies and multichannel campaigns to engage every audience, from consumer to policy maker, and from stakeholder to shareholder.

With 230 experts in London, we are trusted by many of the world's leading businesses and brands.

Our specialist teams include Brand & Reputation, Corporate Advisory & Capital Markets, Public Affairs, Strategic Media, Crisis & Risk, Change & Employee Engagement, Health, Financial Services, Technology, Studio, Mischief and La Plage.

Our Health Team

Our mission is to extend and enhance people's lives by building campaigns that change the way patients, professionals and policymakers think and act. To do that we take an integrated approach, working across three core specialisms: government affairs, communications and advocacy. All of our work is supported by our teams of creatives, strategists, digital experts, and behaviour change consultants.

We operate both in the UK market and at a Global/European level, working on multi-market programmes across the product life cycle and at enterprise level. Recently this has included pre-launch market shaping to support access to a new therapy for an inherited blood disorder, driving positive reimbursement decisions for a rare autoimmune disease, overcoming systemic policy barriers in respiratory disease, supporting our clients engage with politico-regulatory change, and developing sustainability communications and advocacy strategies.

Our current and recent clients include AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Coca-Cola, GSK, Novo Nordisk, Malaria No More, Takeda, and the Wellcome Trust.

The Health team within MHP Group has consistently been one of the highest performing and recognised practices in our industry, winning the coveted PR Week Healthcare Practice of the Year in 2022.

Role Overview

We are looking for a Director specialising in pharma and healthcare industry communications to lead the delivery of client programmes and drive new business growth. You will be part of the Health practice's senior leadership team, working closely with the Head of Health and our Senior Directors to set the strategic direction of the business and guide its evolution and future success.

This 'hands on' role is a unique opportunity for an ambitious healthcare specialist with a commitment to excellence to join one of the leading practices in the industry.

As a Director at MHP Group, you will focus on:

1. Delivering excellence for our clients. You will act as senior counsel for our clients, building strong relationships with them and partnering to develop high-impact programmes of work. You will take responsibility for all client communication and engagement, and provide insight and strategic advice on key issues and trends in the healthcare landscape.
2. Driving business growth. You will be responsible for growing our existing client portfolio, as well as driving new business. This includes proactive prospecting and lead generation, leading responses to RFPs, and pitching.
3. Leading and supporting our team. You will manage, coach and mentor teams to deliver consistently best-in-class work. Working with the Health practice's senior leadership team, you will take responsibility for operational delivery including capacity planning, servicing, profitability, forecasting and billing.

The successful candidate will have:

• A minimum 8 years of experience in a healthcare agency with a focus on communications (e.g. corporate, product, leadership, policy) and/or advocacy (e.g. PAG engagement) and/or a background in journalism.
• Significant experience and expertise of working with the pharmaceutical industry, including a detailed understanding of their operating environment, commercial priorities and regulatory landscape.
• Expert knowledge of and connectivity within the health ecosystem.
• Proven track record of leading successful pitch and other business development processes.
• Proven track record of developing best in class creative campaigns across omnichannel platforms, including earned and paid media, as well as digital and social strategies.
• Experience of implementing complex programmes of work with demonstrable outcomes, and managing matrix teams to deliver high-quality work on time and to budget.
• A comprehensive understanding of the healthcare communications and media landscape, either in a country (e.g. the UK) or at multi-market/global level.
• A wide-ranging network of clients and contacts, with confidence and gravitas to provide counsel on complex challenges to senior business leaders.
• A proactive approach, growth mindset, commitment to excellence and a focus on action to drive programmes of work forward.
• Strong commercial skills and a robust understanding of financial management.

And in return, we offer:

• Excellent starting salary with annual reviews.
• 25 days holiday allowance (+ bank holidays), a day off to celebrate your Birthday, 'Time4U' every month and office Christmas closure.
• Matched pension contributions (up to 5%).
• Life Assurance.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Season ticket loans and Cycle to work scheme.
• Gym & Shopping discounts.
• Access to our Learning Academy to support your career and personal growth.
• Hybrid (up to 3 days remote working per week).
• 'Work from Anywhere' one week per year.

Click here to see the full list of Our benefits - MHP Group ()

Here at MHP Group, we are committed to creating an inclusive and a diverse workforce.