At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Cherry's growth, inspire teams, and drive innovative health communications strategies.
- Company: Join a vibrant agency recognised as a Great Place to Work for six years running.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, remote work options, and an annual wellbeing allowance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in health communications while fostering a dynamic and inclusive culture.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in communications or agency leadership with strong strategic and financial skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for global mobility and career development within a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ per year.
Cherry is entering an exciting new chapter, focused on accelerating growth, elevating creative ambition and strengthening its position as a leading health communications consultancy. We are looking for a Managing Director who can confidently lead this next phase with clarity, commercial acumen and a strong sense of direction. This is a role for a proven senior leader. You know how to scale a consultancy, inspire high‑performing teams, drive profitability and build a reputation that stands out across the industry. You understand how to combine AI‑enabled efficiency with the power of human creativity, and you know how to turn strategy into action that delivers results.
The Opportunity
As Managing Director, you will be accountable for delivering Cherry’s business plan, driving new business growth, strengthening client partnerships and ensuring the agency performs at the highest level commercially, operationally and culturally. You will be a visible and hands‑on leader across clients, teams and the wider AVENIR GLOBAL network, shaping an environment where people can do the best work of their careers.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership
- Lead the development and delivery of Cherry’s annual business plan, ensuring alignment with AVENIR GLOBAL’s broader strategy.
- Set clear expectations for Directors and teams, ensuring objectives directly support business priorities.
- Turn strategy into measurable actions across client delivery, business development and innovation.
- Lead regular business reviews that drive proactive, informed decision‑making.
- Business Growth and Development
- Drive Cherry’s new business strategy against agreed revenue and margin targets.
- Oversee the business development pipeline with a focus on proactive targeting and strong conversion.
- Build new client relationships and partnerships that position Cherry as a go‑to strategic and creative partner in health communications.
- Champion collaboration across the AVENIR GLOBAL network to maximise shared growth opportunities.
- Maintain a senior leadership role on key accounts to ensure strategic excellence, commercial performance and client satisfaction.
- Embed a culture of client partnership focused on long‑term growth, value and impact.
- Support senior teams to identify and convert opportunities within existing accounts.
- People and Culture
- Lead, inspire and develop Cherry’s Senior Leadership Team and Directors, ensuring clarity, accountability and alignment to business goals.
- Foster a culture of inclusion, empowerment and transparency that reflects Cherry’s values.
- Ensure effective performance management across the Director group, aligned with the business planning cycle.
- Financial and Operational Management
- Deliver annual financial targets including revenue growth, margin, utilisation and overhead management.
- Maintain pricing discipline and rate management in partnership with Finance and Operations Directors.
- Ensure strong governance, compliance and risk management processes across the business.
- Innovation and Market Positioning
- Champion creative excellence and innovation, with an emphasis on AI integration, data‑led insight and digital transformation.
- Represent Cherry externally, building thought leadership and raising the agency’s profile across the industry.
- Support the development of case studies, marketing materials and intellectual capital that strengthen market positioning.
Key Requirements
- Minimum 15 years of experience in communications, healthcare or agency leadership.
- Proven success in leading and scaling a consultancy or business unit with strong commercial results.
- Exceptional strategic thinking, commercial acumen and financial literacy.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, motivate and hold others accountable.
- Deep understanding of the health and communications landscape.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills.
Success Looks Like
- Delivery of business plan targets for revenue, margin and profitability.
- Achievement of new business growth objectives.
- Positive performance outcomes across Directors’ objectives.
- High levels of staff engagement and retention.
- Increased visibility and reputation across the health and communications sector.
About Cherry
We’re not just another healthcare agency. At Cherry, we’re a vibrant collective of thinkers, creators, and innovators who believe the best work happens when we combine intimate knowledge of our clients’ needs and external expertise. Our culture is dynamic, supportive, and adventurous and we’ve been recognised as a Great Place to Work for six years running, including awards for Best Workplace, Best Workplace for Women, Best Workplace for Wellbeing, and Best Workplace in Consulting & Professional Services. At Cherry we work collaboratively in a hybrid model, with a minimum of 3 days per week in our office near London Bridge.
What we offer
- 25 days holiday per year (which increases with tenure)
- Work From Anywhere Policy (for 20 days per year you can work from anywhere abroad)
- Annual Wellbeing Allowance, to spend on whatever that makes you happy
- 2 volunteer days per year - to support a cause close to you!
- Christmas Office Closure
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Private health/free travel insurance for you and your family
- Enhanced family friendly & women’s health policies
- Enhanced employer pension contribution
- Mobility program - being part of a wider group enables employees the opportunity to work from one of our global offices (US, Canada, Europe, UAE) for short/mid/long term secondments
Managing Director in London employer: Cherrythinking
Contact Detail:
Cherrythinking Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Managing Director in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their values, recent projects, and how they fit into the health communications landscape. We want to see you shine and show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to be able to articulate your vision and how you can drive growth and innovation. We suggest doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to get comfortable with your delivery.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance at landing that Managing Director role!
We think you need these skills to ace Managing Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Style: When writing your application, make sure to highlight your leadership style and how it aligns with Cherry's values. We want to see how you inspire and motivate teams, so share specific examples of your past successes in leading high-performing groups.
Be Strategic and Commercial: This role is all about strategic thinking and commercial acumen. In your application, demonstrate your ability to turn strategy into action. Use metrics and results from your previous roles to showcase how you've driven business growth and profitability.
Emphasise Innovation and Creativity: Cherry is looking for someone who champions creative excellence and innovation. Make sure to include any experiences where you've integrated new technologies or innovative approaches in your work. We love seeing how you combine AI with human creativity!
Tailor Your Application: Don't forget to tailor your application specifically for this role! Use the job description as a guide to ensure you're addressing the key responsibilities and requirements. And remember, applying through our website is the best way to get your application noticed!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cherrythinking
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Managing Director, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on Cherry's recent financial performance and be ready to discuss how you can drive revenue growth and manage margins effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to share specific examples of how you've inspired and developed high-performing teams in the past. Highlight your approach to fostering a culture of inclusion and empowerment, as this aligns with Cherry's values.
✨Understand the Market Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current trends in health communications and how AI is shaping the industry. Be prepared to discuss how you can leverage these insights to position Cherry as a leader in the market.
✨Align with Cherry’s Vision
Research Cherry's mission and recent initiatives. During the interview, articulate how your vision aligns with theirs and how you plan to contribute to their exciting new chapter of growth and innovation.