Associate Director, Health Communications & Policy

We are looking to hire an Associate Director with health policy and communications experience to join our healthcare team in Munich, Berlin or Frankfurt.

This role is a strategic account leader responsible for managing and growing client relationships within the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.

This role focuses on leading integrated corporate communications and policy activities, multistakeholder and advocacy campaigns, and the creation and execution of communication plans for health clients.

The Associate Director supervises project teams, ensures project excellence, and drives both organic and new business growth in the healthcare practice.

This role provides exposure to a wide range of high-profile projects and international clients within the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, with the chance to collaborate across global teams and offers the opportunity to be part of a high-performing, inclusive, and collaborative team environment.

APCO is a dynamic and forward-thinking organization that values innovation, continuous learning, and professional development and which offers structured training programs, mentorship opportunities, and clear pathways for career progression.

Responsibilities

• Lead a wide range of healthcare, strategic communication, public and government affairs, and issue campaigns for our clients.
• Identify and lead new business opportunities for APCO, with an emphasis on growing a domestic pipeline of health business.
• Manage and grow client relationships including overseeing client projects, supervising project teams, allocating resources, and delegating and reviewing work effectively.
• Provide the highest level of client service daily through proactive account management, serving as the key client contact while also managing staff (both senior and junior) to successfully maintain and grow client relationships.
• Design and implement integrated campaigns to position client issues, messages and priorities with key audiences that may include politicians (national, regional and local), civil servants, media, (including trade media), trade associations, healthcare professionals, consumers and other key stakeholders for our clients.
• Lead strategy development and craft effective messages for both prospective clients (as a key part of the new business process) and for existing clients.
• Monitor developments in key client issue areas and flag opportunities for further client engagement.

Qualifications

• At least 6 years’ experience in healthcare, public affairs and strategic communications campaign experience in Germany.
• Responsible for the management of multiple client relationships.

Solid project management experience, including overseeing a team and multiple deliverables, providing clear and concise feedback to maintain high standards.

• Demonstrated success formulating and leading strategic engagements with external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate strategic abilities, have strong written and verbal communication skills and be able to mentor and develop consulting skills in others.
• Proven track record in developing and leading new business generation initiatives and driving successful organic growth.
• Full proficiency in both German and English

Benefits

• The opportunity to work on a diverse range of clients and projects (national and international) with some of the industry’s best and brightest
• A collegial and collaborative work environment, where you will work closely with colleagues from around the world
• The opportunity to visit and work from our other global offices and the opportunity for Global Exchanges
• Clear career paths, ongoing internal & external training, and access to our global Learning Platform
• Hybrid work arrangements, a supportive team, collaboration across all levels, and a truly open culture
• A competitive compensation and benefits package with perks around mobility, mental health, pension, and your personal & professional development
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