Account Director, Publications

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 our clients, including top players in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

Our #LifeatRealChem 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 our opportunities.

Discover your purpose. Embrace innovation. Experience #LifeatRealChem.

The Account Director  on the Publications team within US Medical Affairs is the primary client contact and strategic advisor, responsible for managing relationships, driving business growth, and ensuring exceptional client service. You will oversee the development and execution of high-quality strategic publication plans, providing leadership and direction to account teams while identifying opportunities for innovation and expansion. 

This is a hybrid role, based in any of our  US offices — New York City, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Carmel (IN), or Lambertville (NJ) — or remotely within the US, depending on team and business needs.

What You’ll Do:  

Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, ensuring strong, trusted partnerships while delivering strategic guidance and innovative solutions.

Provide counsel on publications strategy, scientific communications, and medical affairs initiatives, aligning deliverables with client objectives.

Develop and implement strategic account plans, ensuring consistency and alignment across all projects.

Identify and capitalize on growth opportunities within existing accounts by proactively recommending new tactics and strategies.

Lead and oversee multiple client accounts, ensuring flawless execution and delivery of publication plans within scope, budget, and timeline.

Manage and mentor account teams, ensuring high performance, professional growth, and effective collaboration.

Drive internal team meetings, ensuring clear communication of project goals, progress, and expectations.

Oversee project timelines, budgets, and resource allocation, ensuring profitability and efficiency.

Lead development of scopes of work, budgets, and client proposals while ensuring financial health of accounts.

Identify and pursue new business opportunities, contributing to pitch development and presentations.

Stay informed on industry trends, competitor activities, and emerging opportunities within medical publications and life sciences.

Represent Real Chemistry at industry events and contribute to thought leadership initiatives.

Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, expanding the agency’s influence and credibility in the medical publications space. 

This Position is a Perfect Fit for You If:  

Our Company values – Best Together, Impact-Obsessed, Excellence Expected, Evolve Always and Accountability with an “I” – really speak to you. 

You are adaptable, resilient, and OK with adjusting your scope, responsibilities, and focus as we grow. When things change, so do we. We’re always evolving. 

You are proactive, driven, and resourceful with strong prioritization skills and a desire to dive into the data. 

You are highly organized self-starter, able to work independently and under tight deadlines. 

What You Should Have:  

6+ years of experience in healthcare agency client services, with a strong background in medical publications.

Deep understanding of ICMJE and GPP guidelines

Experience in strategic publication planning

Experience with iEnvision, PubStrat or other publication management software

Proven success in leading client relationships and delivering strategic counsel in a fast-paced, dynamic setting.

Strong financial acumen, including experience managing budgets, scopes of work, and forecasting revenue growth.

Demonstrated ability to manage and mentor teams, fostering career growth and professional development.

Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate, and present to senior-level stakeholders.

High attention to detail, with strong project management and organizational skills.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook); experience with Veeva preferred but not required.

BA or equivalent work experience required. 

Pay Range: $130,000.00-145,000.00 This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting.  Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on job-related, non-discriminatory factors including but not limited to work experience, skills, certifications, and geographical location. The Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. 

Real Chemistry is proud to be Great Place to Work® certified; check out what our people shared about our culture and workplace on our Great Places to Work Profile  here .

We believe we can do our best when feeling our best, which is why we’ve put together a benefits program designed to give you the support you and your family need at every stage of life. Real Chemistry offers a comprehensive benefit program and perks, tailored to your region. Globally, this includes offices in our key markets with free snacks to keep you running all day long, generous holiday and paid time off, options for private medical, dental, and vison plans, and support in saving for the future. Other perks include mental wellness coaching and support and access to more than 13,000 online classes with LinkedIn Learning.  Learn more about our great benefits and perks and search specific offerings in your region at:  www.realchemistrybenefits.com .

Working with Real HART: Since the pandemic, we have adapted to how our people told us they want to work. We have  office locations  in cities in the US, UK, and Europe with many employees and clients that serve as hubs where and when they need us.   For employees who are within an hour of one of our offices, we expect attendance in the office two days per week, either at a Real Chemistry office or onsite with clients. We are also actively opening new office locations, so if one opens near you, our Real HART policy will apply. We are not looking for attendance for the sake of attendance but believe that the opportunity to coordinate in-office team meetings, 1:1 meetings with managers, taking advantage of on-site learning, and connecting with client partners is a critical to delivering on our purpose of making healthcare what it should be.   Outside of these offices, we have regions, where people work remotely but come together quarterly for collaboration, culture and learning opportunities. We call this our Real Hybrid and Regional Teams (Real HART) approach. Real Chemistry believes we are best together – and our workplace strategy fosters connection and collaboration in person – but also supports flexibility for our people.

Real Chemistry is an Equal Opportunity employer. We continually strive to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable work environment where our employees feel empowered to leverage all they bring from their personal lived experience and professional expertise, to make our team the best in the industry. We encourage motivated and qualified applicants to apply without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, ethnic or national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local employment discrimination laws where Real Chemistry operates. Should you require accommodations throughout the interview process please let your recruiter know.

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