At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful health campaigns and shape strategies for global clients.
- Company: Award-winning health communications consultancy with a mission to drive real change.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative culture that values kindness and trust.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team of advocates and make a lasting impact on health and well-being.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in public affairs, advocacy, and a strong network in healthcare.
OVID Health is an independent award-winning health communications consultancy specializing in public affairs, PR and patient advocacy. We’re a top three independent health comms agency and our ambition is to be the world’s leading independent health campaigns consultancy by 2030.
The Health Change Makers: The home of activists, campaigners, advocates, champions and reformers. We execute campaigns powered by partnerships, communications and policy to improve the well-being of people and nations worldwide. We champion everyone’s right to live their healthiest life and create work that connects patients, policymakers and industry to drive real change.
We are entering an exciting phase of growth and are looking for another Senior Director who will play a critical role in shaping our next chapter, both for our clients and for our team.
About You
We're looking for an exceptional individual who brings deep credibility, strong values and a commercial mindset to help lead OVID's continued growth. You will be a highly-trusted senior operator, equally comfortable advising at board-level, leading complex client accounts and contributing to the strategic direction of the agency. You will align with our values - collaborative, trusted and kind - and play an active role in shaping our culture as a member of the senior leadership team.
You will bring strong experience in UK and international public affairs & advocacy, alongside the ability to lead integrated programmes for global pharmaceutical clients. You will understand how to navigate complex stakeholder environments and can translate insight into clear, actionable strategies. You will have a proven track record of winning and growing business through your network - from originating opportunities to converting them into long-term client partnerships, and will be motivated to play a leading role in the agency’s commercial success.
This is a role for someone who wants to build, lead and make a lasting impact: on clients, on the team, and on the future of OVID Health.
You must have:
- Strong alignment with OVID’s values.
- Significant experience in UK public affairs, with the credibility to represent OVID with senior clients and stakeholders.
- Experience leading advocacy programmes, ideally within pharma, including exposure to global accounts in public affairs.
- A proven ability to win new business, convert opportunities, and drive organic account growth.
- A strong network of contacts across policy, healthcare and life sciences.
- Excellent strategic thinking, with the ability to translate complex challenges into clear client solutions.
- Experience in line management, with a passion for developing people and building high-performing teams.
- A desire to contribute beyond client work - shaping strategy, strengthening culture and leading company-wide initiatives.
- Commercial acumen, including understanding of revenue growth, resourcing and account profitability.
Senior Director (Public Affairs/Advocacy) employer: OVID Health
At OVID Health, we pride ourselves on being an award-winning health communications consultancy that champions the right to live a healthy life. Our collaborative and kind work culture fosters innovation and growth, providing exceptional opportunities for professional development and leadership within a dynamic team. As we expand our reach in public affairs and advocacy, we offer a unique chance to make a meaningful impact on global health campaigns while working alongside passionate change-makers in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director (Public Affairs/Advocacy)
✨Get Involved in PR Events
Dive into local PR meetups and workshops. Events like these are perfect for getting your face out there, chatting with industry pros, and spotting potential job openings at companies like OVID Health. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
✨Showcase Your PR Skills
Start building your personal brand as a PR ace. Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share your thoughts on current events or PR campaigns you admire. Tagging companies you want to work for, like OVID Health, can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!
✨Leverage Your Network
Reach out to friends, family, or connections in the PR field. Even a casual chat can lead to opportunities. If you've got mutual contacts, ask for introductions when applying. Personal recommendations can give your application a nice little boost!
✨Tailor Your Approach
When applying for a full-time PR role, make sure to research OVID Health inside and out. Understanding their campaigns, values, and style allows us to directly align our application and impress during interviews. Don't hesitate to apply through our website—going direct can make a real difference!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of OVID Health. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at OVID Health.
How to prepare for a job interview at OVID Health
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
✨Know Your PR Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
