At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead client relationships and drive strategic programming in a dynamic healthcare communications environment.
- Company: Join Ogilvy Health, part of WPP, a leader in healthcare communications.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, enhanced parental leave, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while growing your career in a creative culture.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in medical education and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
About WPP WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth.
About Ogilvy Ogilvy, part of WPP, was founded in 1948 by David Ogilvy. David created a culture that deeply respects and cares about its people and clients. Our mission is to inspire people and brands to make an impact and we are committed to attracting, growing, and retaining the best talent in the industry.
Ogilvy Health is one of the largest global networks in healthcare communications, providing strategic, integrated solutions for many of the biggest names in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and medical device industries. In the UK, we are a powerhouse of over 170 healthcare communication specialists spanning medical education, advertising, digital, public relations, and market access. In our Medical Education division, our approach is founded on expertise that combines biomedical science, learning theory, and behaviour change to create truly impactful medical and professional education. We pride ourselves on being ‘Scientifically Grounded, Creatively Driven.’
What we can offer you:
- An Inspiring Culture: An exciting, supportive, and highly creative working environment with committed colleagues, where new thinking is openly encouraged at all levels.
- Multidisciplinary Exposure: The unique opportunity to work across multiple disciplines beyond medical education, including promotional, digital, and market access.
- Unrivalled Growth: Exceptional training and personal/professional development opportunities, powered by the immense depth of expertise within Ogilvy Health and the wider global WPP network.
About the Role Senior Account Director - 12 month FTC As a Senior Account Director, your primary focus will be leading client relationships, directing strategic programming, managing and mentoring your team, and driving account profitability and organic growth. Your key responsibilities will span several core areas:
- Strategic Account Direction & Financial Health: Shape the long-term strategic direction of your accounts, ensuring activities and budgets align with future opportunities. Maintain a high-level strategic overview of accounts, proactively advising clients on external market changes and leading strategic planning meetings. Oversee account profitability, negotiate financial arrangements with clients, and maintain a constant grasp of the financial status of your accounts. Champion quality control, ensuring all team output meets Ogilvy’s exceptionally high standards.
- Client & Professional Relations: Establish yourself as a trusted senior consultant and strategic adviser to clients (often partnering at Marketing Director level). Actively participate in the development of the client’s marketing strategy and maintain strong, positive client relationships. Build and maintain key relationships with clinical, industry, and NHS opinion leaders to identify new opportunities and monitor market intelligence.
- Business Development: Identify, develop, and execute opportunities to organically grow business within your existing client pool. Take an active, responsible role in developing and presenting new business pitches.
- People & Team Leadership: Lead, motivate, and inspire your team to reach their full potential and take ownership of their projects. Manage resourcing across your accounts, ensuring staffing levels are appropriate and sustainable. Conduct appraisals, set clear development objectives, and identify training opportunities to support your team’s ongoing career progression. Participate in recruiting, interviewing, and welcoming new talent to the agency.
What You’ll Need To be successful in this role, you will be a seasoned Medical Education / Medical Comms agency professional who thrives on combining scientific strategy with creative execution. You should bring:
- Proven Agency Experience: Significant experience directing accounts within a Medical Education or Medical Communications agency environment.
- Strategic & Financial Acumen: A strong track record of managing account profitability, budgeting, and driving organic growth, as well as contributing to new business pitches.
- Client Relationship Skills: Experience acting as a senior-level adviser to healthcare and pharmaceutical clients, with the ability to navigate complex environments and guide marketing strategy.
- People Leadership: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and resource a team, with a genuine passion for developing junior talent and managing staff welfare.
- Industry & Scientific Curiosity: A solid understanding of the healthcare landscape, pharmaceutical guidelines, and opinion leader networks, with a passion for delivering "Scientifically Grounded, Creatively Driven" work.
Benefits & Culture At Ogilvy Health, you'll be part of a non-hierarchical, eclectic team united by a shared commitment to doing the best work of our lives (its one of our values!). Beyond client work, you'll have opportunities to engage with our vibrant culture and social teams, and contribute to our fantastic DEI initiatives, championing diversity across our agency and industry. We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:
- 25 days annual leave, with the option to purchase up to an extra 5 days per year, plus your birthday off and a paid volunteering day
- Generous enhanced parental leave policies
- A robust pension scheme (up to 17.5% total contributions after probation)
- Choice of Private Medical Cover (Bupa from day one), Dental cover, or a monthly £45 leisure allowance for your health & wellbeing
- A fantastic Employee Assistance Programme (Telus) offering support, advice, and specialist counselling
- Help at Hand: quick, free access to a remote GP, mental health support, physio, or a medical second opinion
- Free 1-2-1 Coaching through Thrive Partners for professional or personal growth
- A comprehensive Learning & Development programme to support your career trajectory
Our ambition is to attract the very best diverse talent to Ogilvy, and to be the employer of choice in the UK. We want everyone to feel welcome when they join us, and once they’re here, for them to want to stay with us, grow their career, and to feel they belong with us. We are an equal opportunity employer and we’re committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for everyone who wants to work at Ogilvy. For us, diversity, equity and inclusion is integrated into everything that we do. We believe that for creativity to flourish, everything about how we work must have diversity at its core. Your race, colour, ethnic, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, have no bearing on our hiring decisions, but we encourage everyone to feel free to express their true selves in an environment we are consistently striving to make as inclusive as possible. We aim to facilitate an accessible and positive application experience for all candidates. If you require any adjustments from us to support you through the process or expect to require any adjustments to working conditions to be able to best perform in the role, please let us know. We are happy to consider all reasonable adjustments. If you live with a disability and you would like to take advantage of our offer of a guaranteed interview under the Disability Confident Scheme, please ensure you fill out our voluntary Equal Opportunities Questionnaire when applying.
Senior Account Director in London employer: Ogilvy UK
At Ogilvy Health, part of WPP, we pride ourselves on fostering an inspiring and inclusive culture that encourages creativity and collaboration among our diverse team. With exceptional training and development opportunities, employees can thrive in their careers while working on impactful projects within the healthcare communications sector. Our comprehensive benefits package, including generous leave policies and wellness support, ensures that our team members feel valued and supported in both their professional and personal lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Account Director in London
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Ogilvy UK and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Ogilvy UK are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Ogilvy UK on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Ogilvy UK. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Account Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Ogilvy UK. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Ogilvy UK:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Ogilvy UK’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ogilvy UK
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Ogilvy UK will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Ogilvy UK, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
