Account Director, Advocacy (Healthcare Communications)

At Real Chemistry, making the world a healthier place isn’t just an aspiration—it’s our everyday reality. Our drive to transform healthcare is informed by our blend of deep scientific expertise, human‑centred creativity, and AI‑driven insights, fostering a unique environment where innovation thrives and our people are impact‑obsessed.

As a global agency, we provide a full suite of services across healthcare communications and marketing to clients, including top players in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Our culture is rooted in our people—we believe we are best together and are committed to excellence for both our clients and colleagues. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career, if you share our passion for healthcare and connection, we invite you to explore opportunities.

Job Summary

Real Chemistry is looking for an Account Director, Advocacy & Patient Engagement. The role is a trusted client‑facing partner responsible for shaping and delivering integrated advocacy and patient‑led programs for U.S.-focused and global healthcare clients. The Account Director combines deep experience with U.S. patient advocacy organizations with strong account leadership, operational management, and strategic counsel to drive advocacy strategy and meaningful patient collaboration.

Advocacy & Patient Engagement Leadership

• Support the development of advocacy and patient engagement strategies aligned to brand, policy, access, and disease‑area objectives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients on working credibly and compliantly with U.S. patient advocacy organizations.
• Build, manage, and sustain strong, trusted relationships with patient groups, coalitions, and advocacy leaders.
• Guide clients on best‑practice models for patient collaboration, including co‑creation, advisory boards, summits, and patient‑led initiatives.
• Support the design and delivery of patient‑centric programs, including education, awareness, policy engagement, and community‑based initiatives.
• Ensure patient engagement approaches are authentic, ethical, and aligned with the evolving U.S. advocacy landscape.

Stakeholder & Ecosystem Management

• Act as the central connector between patients, advocacy groups, clients, and internal Real Chemistry teams.
• Manage complex stakeholder environments involving patients, NGOs, policy influencers, clinicians, and industry partners.
• Advise on stakeholder mapping, engagement prioritization, and long‑term relationship building in the U.S. context.
• Anticipate stakeholder risks and sensitivities, providing proactive guidance to clients.

Client Leadership & Strategic Counsel

• Serve as the day‑to‑day senior client partner, owning the relationship and overall account health.
• Lead the development of integrated advocacy and engagement plans (annual, quarterly, or campaign‑based).
• Provide counsel on advocacy trends, patient dynamics, and the broader healthcare and policy environment.
• Identify opportunities to evolve and expand client programs across advocacy, policy, communications, and engagement.

Account & Operational Management

• Own delivery across multiple workstreams, ensuring timelines, quality control, and flawless execution.
• Lead budget management, forecasting, and financial stewardship across advocacy and engagement programs.
• Oversee resourcing and workflow across cross‑functional teams including advocacy, policy, communications, creative, digital, and analytics.
• Ensure programs are delivered efficiently, compliantly, and to Real Chemistry standards.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and mentor junior team members, fostering advocacy expertise, strategic thinking, and delivery excellence.
• Create a collaborative, high‑performing team culture that balances empathy, rigor, and accountability.
• Act as an internal advocate for patient‑centric ways of working across the wider Real Chemistry organization.

Business Growth & New Opportunities

• Support new business development, pitches, and proposals, particularly those with a patient, advocacy, or policy lens.
• Identify white‑space opportunities where advocacy and patient engagement can unlock additional client value.
• Help position Real Chemistry as a partner of choice for patient‑centered and advocacy‑led programs in the U.S.

Candidate Profile

• Values that align with Best Together, Impact‑Obsessed, Excellence Expected, Evolve Always, and Accountability with an “I”.
• Adaptable, resilient, and comfortable adjusting scope, responsibilities, and focus as the organization grows.
• Proactive, driven, and resourceful with strong prioritization skills.
• Highly organized self‑starter, able to work independently and under tight deadlines while toggling between projects in a fast‑paced environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Typically 8–12+ years’ experience in healthcare communications, advocacy, public affairs, or patient engagement.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with U.S. patient advocacy organizations (essential).
• Strong understanding of the U.S. advocacy ecosystem, including compliance considerations and best practices.
• Proven track record leading complex client accounts and senior stakeholders.
• Strong financial and operational management skills; agency experience strongly preferred.
• Passion for patient‑centered healthcare and improving outcomes through meaningful engagement.
• Some management experience of junior staff, including interns and associates.
• High energy and ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, growing, and evolving environment.
• Position may require some domestic travel for client meetings and conferences (approximately 10%).

Pay Range: $95,000 – $115,000

Real Chemistry offers a comprehensive benefits program and perks, tailored to your region. Benefits include free snacks, generous paid time off, health, dental, and vision plans, retirement savings support, mental wellness coaching, and access to thousands of online classes through LinkedIn Learning.

Real Chemistry is an Equal Opportunity employer. We encourage qualified applicants to apply without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you require accommodations during the interview process, please notify your recruiter.

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