At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead PR and policy strategies for healthcare clients, managing media relations and providing expert counsel.
- Company: ZPB Associates, a dynamic healthcare strategy and communications firm.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work, 25 days holiday, private health insurance, and a paid sabbatical.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team with excellent career growth and leadership opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare communications while shaping policy and public affairs.
- Qualifications: Experience in healthcare PR or public affairs, strong media relationships, and crisis management skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
ZPB Associates is a healthcare strategy and communications firm working with leading names across healthcare - including the NHS, independent healthcare, digital health and tech.
We combine strategy, integrated marketing, PR and policy engagement to help our clients navigate an increasingly complex and commercially competitive healthcare landscape.
Our work is strategic, creating visibility and credibility whether that is through share of voice, brand-building, or market positioning.
We create editorially confident, genuinely creative content that is market moving and supports our client’s success.
The role
We're looking for an Account Director to support ZPB's PR and policy work for a portfolio of clients where healthcare policy, politics and public affairs are central to the brief.
You'll combine senior media relationship management with genuine policy fluency — comfortable advising a client on a complex regulatory development one day and securing national press coverage the next.
You'll lead pitch teams and new business, mentor a team spanning Account Managers to Account Executives, and represent ZPB externally as a credible senior voice on healthcare policy and public affairs.
- What you'll be doing
- Own commercial responsibility for a portfolio of PR and policy clients, delivering fully-costed proposals and achieving target revenue within budget
- Lead senior media relations and maintain strong relationships with health, trade, national and policy press, as well as key commentators and sector influencers
- Provide informed, senior counsel to clients on complex issues spanning healthcare policy, politics and business, translating regulatory and political developments into practical recommendations
- Maintain a strong working understanding of how UK political and regulatory institutions relevant to healthcare — including the NHS, CQC, NICE, MHRA and other public bodies — shape client strategy
- Lead and refine ZPB's approach to public affairs and policy communications, including delivering thought leadership and training to clients and the wider team
- Offer crisis management and counsel to clients, and extend ZPB's networking and influence in relevant policy and media circles
- Lead pitch teams and drive new business, including responding to prospect briefs and identifying organic growth within existing accounts
- Mentor and develop a team spanning Account Managers to Account Executives, embedding strong policy and media judgement across the team
- Represent ZPB externally as a senior voice on healthcare policy and public affairs, including through speaking opportunities and written commentary
- Identify potential crisis situations early and implement crisis management techniques when required
- Lead ZPB’s use of licenses, tools and platforms – including AI – to ensure best-in-class methodologies and approaches.
What we're looking for
- Substantial experience in healthcare PR, policy communications or public affairs, with significant experience at Senior Account Manager level or above, ideally within a healthcare or public affairs consultancy
- Strong understanding of how political and regulatory institutions relevant to healthcare — including the NHS, MHRA, NICE, CQC and other bodies — work in the UK
- Proven track record of developing senior media and policy relationships, including with commentators, spokespeople and sector influencers
- Demonstrated experience managing client budgets, achieving revenue targets and holding full commercial responsibility for accounts
- Strong crisis management skills, with experience providing counsel to clients through high-stakes situations
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence advising senior and board-level clients
- The right to work in the UK without sponsorship
- Experience working across regional and global healthcare policy or public affairs environments
- A track record of leading new business pitches and proposals
- Experience mentoring or line-managing junior team members
- An established external profile or thought leadership presence in healthcare policy or public affairs
- Familiarity with AI and digital tools, and how they are changing policy monitoring and communications delivery
- A relevant degree (politics, public policy, health policy, communications or a related subject) — not essential if you can demonstrate the skills above
- What you’ll get
- A salary of £55,000–£65,000, dependent on experience (plus bonus)
- Hybrid work – three days in the office with Monday and Friday at home
- A leadership role at the intersection of healthcare communications and public affairs, with genuine influence over ZPB's policy offer
- Full commercial ownership of a portfolio of accounts, and the autonomy that comes with it
- Direct involvement in shaping ZPB's policy and public affairs proposition
- A collaborative, editorially minded team with a genuinely no-nonsense approach to client work
- 25 days holiday (rising to 28 days by year 3) and on top the office is closed between Christmas and New Year
- Private health insurance
- Employee assistance programme including free legal advice, therapy and health checks
- Paid four-week sabbatical after four years
• And Summer Fridays – office closes early!
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Account Director - PR and Policy in London employer: ZPB Associates
ZPB Associates is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, where employees are empowered to shape impactful healthcare narratives. With a strong focus on professional development, the company offers mentorship opportunities and hands-on experience in dynamic campaigns, making it an ideal place for those looking to grow their careers in healthcare strategy and communications.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Account Director - PR and Policy in London
✨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 ZPB Associates. 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 ZPB Associates, 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 ZPB Associates 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!
We think you need these skills to ace Account Director - PR and Policy in London
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 ZPB Associates. 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 ZPB Associates.
How to prepare for a job interview at ZPB Associates
✨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.
