Group Account Director (Pharma)

Job Overview:

The Group Account Director is the senior owner of client service for large or complex life sciences and biopharma accounts, focusing on advanced digital initiatives at the business unit or corporate level. This position is responsible for building, maintaining, and overseeing client relationships, growing revenue within large established accounts, ensuring exceptional customer service to all clients within the assigned account, and leading and mentoring direct reports. As a leader and primary client advocate, they can “roll up their sleeves” to ensure exceptional customer service and that the business needs are met for all clients within their assigned accounts.

The Group Account Director uses their deep experience and expertise to serve as a strategic advisor to clients, with a vision for the account's long-term growth and evolution. This person can own a room, and drive work forward, get clients and teams unstuck. With the Client Services department, this person uses their experience to lead, teach, and inspire direct reports.

Key Responsibilities, including but not limited to:

Client Relationships

• Owns the client relationship across a large 7M+ account or multiple accounts.
• Builds and maintains effective senior-level client relationships by establishing trust and credibility.
• Establishes regular communication with senior-level clients to ensure their satisfaction and facilitate our long-term profitability and growth.
• Establishes themselves as a trusted strategic partner to the client.

Account Growth

• Leads and drives continuous upselling efforts, leveraging experience to foster organic growth within accounts.
• Seeks opportunities for organic growth in current accounts and into new accounts connected with client(s).
• Able to support and contribute strategic insight for new business pitches based on an in-depth understanding of the agency landscape and industry trends.

Account Finance

• Oversees the financial health of the account(s) by owning the revenue and forecast accuracy.
• Ensures sound account financial management through setting accurate forecasts, driving SOW completion to meet targets, and tracking revenue attainment.
• Reports to leadership and finance on financial metrics for their accounts.

• Project Oversight
• Lead detailed quarterly updates on projects to both internal teams and the executive team, highlighting strengths, challenges, and opportunities for growth.
• Sets the tone for the team and is an escalation point across the organization when it comes to client work.
• Partners with agency leadership to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery of client work.

Leadership & Strategic Guidance

• Leads strategic discussions, meetings, and workshops to ensure the account is being developed in a strategic and successful manner.
• Monitors the health of the client’s business/brand and identifies potential issues and opportunities for the client(s).
• Regularly provides expert strategic recommendations proactively to the client, helping them navigate challenges based on segment/industry knowledge, data analysis, and trends.
• Expert owner of the client’s business and strategy and effectively influence the client to achieve their objectives that may require pushing them to consider difficult issues that are in their best interests

Internal Relationships

• Builds strong relationships with all functional team leads, ensuring the client’s objectives are consistently met.
• Strengthens partnerships and teamwork within the CGL team to effectively manage complex projects from both strategic and business relationship standpoints.

Knowledge & Expertise

• In-depth understanding of omnichannel marketing concepts and campaigns, including best practices across digital channels, data management, analytics, and related technologies
• Leads agency decision-making with strong business acumen and financial stewardship.
• Keeps senior management informed on account status, challenges, and strategic plans, ensuring timely involvement.
• Leverages deep market insights and business trends to drive strategy and performance.
• Possesses expert knowledge in brand launch planning, execution, and best practices.

People Management

• Responsible for staffing, managing, and leading the assigned account team to infuse best-in-class client service into assigned work/projects.
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