Account Director, Communications

Reports to: Vice President, Communications
Years Experience: 7+ Years
Department: Communications
Location: Nashville, TN or Boca Raton, FL (Virtual First)

What is Virtual First? At BPD we believe in the balance of the digital and the physical. Our virtual first approach means that we lean into the digital connections - Slack, Zoom, e-mail - as the primary means for getting the job done. It also means that we understand the importance of in-person connection for moments of celebration, collaboration, and education in our physical offices locations in Boca Raton and Nashville. The right balance of digital and physical will vary by role. 

The Position:

A successful Account Director (AD) is a self-starter with a strong skill set in communications strategy development and execution, taking a hands-on approach to deliver innovative, research-driven programming for our hospital and health system clients. As a team leader and overall project manager, you will serve as the liaison between clients and the internal agency team, ensuring that client needs and goals are met on every project. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of the client’s business, consumers, and marketplace dynamics. We seek a strategic thinker capable of providing level-headed counsel on complex issues, an exceptional writer skilled in multi-channel communications, and someone adept at managing multiple engagements and deadlines. This AD is a versatile utility player, comfortable proposing proactive reputation campaigns as well as crafting responsive strategies to safeguard client reputations during crises. You will also grasp the role of corporate communications in influencing and activating target audiences for organizational benefit. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in team leadership and the development and execution of strategic communication programs, particularly in integrated marketing campaigns, while collaborating closely with in-house and agency partners.

The Responsibilities:

Includes, but not limited to the following:

• Ownership of forming strong client relationships, earning the reputation of a trusted advisor to senior and executive level client contacts through thought leadership and strategic counsel
• Leadership of agency team serving as an account and project lead, ensuring the successful execution of client initiatives by fulfilling project scope, meeting client needs, adhering to deadlines and demonstrating responsibility for overall results
• Provide high-level strategic council to clients that offers solutions to current issues and proactively foresees future issues with a strong point-of-view
• Oversee the creation and execution of communications plans, scenario plans, and executive messaging tailored to healthcare audiences
• Work across teams identifying opportunities to bring in various disciplines and expertise within the agency to contribute value to clients and projects
• Draft materials, from communications plans and scenario plans to reactive statements and executive messaging
• Identify organic growth opportunities and pitch innovative ideas that alight with client goals and the overall engagement strategy
• Knowledge of communications, and healthcare, allows you to work autonomously and with limited oversight to drive work forward
• Coach and mentor junior team members by being a sounding board when they have questions; collaborate with team members across departments to deliver strategic and creative engagements for clients

The Essentials:

• Local to Nashville, TN or Boca Raton, FL area and able to work in office as needed
• Experience working in proactive communications and crisis communications.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships quickly both internally and externally.
• Help ensure all deadlines are met for the team and client by following a pre-determined timeline for the engagement.
• Vendor management or account management experience preferred.
• 7+ years of agency or in-house healthcare experience required/preferred
• Be a communicator:
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, in-person, and over the phone or internet meeting platforms (Zoom, Teams, etc.).
• Exceptional writing and presentation skills with the ability to connect with internal and external audience