Account Director

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

Be part of something great!

Synchrony Group is an independently owned network of companies, headquartered in West Chester, PA.

At Synchrony, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality products and services in the medical communications industry. Our vision is to create the highest value for our clients and the most opportunity for our team members, while working together to improve the lives of patients. Collectively, we are leaders in strategic planning, development, and execution of best-in-class programs that address medical needs, maximize strategic objectives, and make significant scientific and clinical contributions. Our passion and commitment to improving outcomes for our clients, healthcare professionals, and patients drives us to exceed expectations in everything we do.

Synchrony consists of integrated groups of medical-scientific, clinical, creative, commercial, and industry experts. Synchrony Medical Communications specializes in strategic medical communications, publication planning, and associated scientific content and engagement. Our teams reflect our commitment to excellence—we’re smart, enthusiastic, and driven. We align the skills, experiences, and perspectives of diverse individuals to achieve unparalleled results in an environment of respect and mutual support. Above all, we are passionate about changing the world and improving the lives of patients.

Our success is built on the foundation of our team, and we’re always striving to strengthen our foundation. More than just seeking out the best and brightest to join us, we also create a work environment in which employees are respected and encouraged to grow.

Are you looking to be part of something great? We’d like to meet you!

Under the direction of the VP, Account Services, the Account Director will serve as the primary contact for assigned clients regarding the strategic and tactical planning, design, and execution of industry-leading publication and medical communication initiatives. The Account Director consistently provides excellent customer service, as well as represents client needs and goals within the organization to ensure quality. This individual is also responsible for the financial aspects of client relationships, including compliance to contract/agreements, statements of work, purchase orders, invoices, forecasting, and receivables. The Account Director is required to understand client challenges and lead internal and external core teams to conceptualize, design, and deliver novel solutions for our clients’ needs in a manner that is consistent with the values and reputation of Synchrony. Accountabilities include assigned client development, relationships, and satisfaction; overall strategy, development, and execution of assigned Accounts/Client Services activities; and management of account finances.

Job Duties

Account Services

• Under the direction of the VP, Account Services, lead strategic publication and medical communication planning initiatives
• Establish relationships with team members in order to effectively lead and serve as a resource for cross-functional teams in support of client needs and expectations for all Synchrony clients
• Monitor and manage assigned activities to ensure timely delivery of products and services
• Develop, present, and sell high-quality deliverables
• Make recommendations to senior management to ensure that Synchrony core teams have appropriate resources and support to meet the needs of our clients and our commitments
• Work with other team members to ensure that Synchrony is meeting its goals, objectives, and corporate values

Business Development

• Assist in business development opportunities and initiatives necessary to increase revenue to meet and exceed company goals
• Actively seek new business opportunities within current and new clients
• Assist in the implementation of corporate strategies and cross-selling initiatives
• Lead teams and resources to create and submit RFPs and proposals (proposal writing is required); participate in developing and delivering presentations for new business opportunities
• Develop client(s) scope of service or project agreements

Accounts Financial Management

• Manage the financial aspects of client relationships including compliance to contract/master service agreement(s), project proposals (statements of work, project initiation forms, project agreements, etc), purchase orders, invoices, forecasting, receivables, and reporting
• As client liaison, develop project proposals based on input from internal teams (with account leadership) including (but not limited to):
  • Budgets (e.g., invoicing schedule in alignment with client master service agreement)
  • Scope of service (e.g., including assumptions, deliverables, timeline)
• Serve as the primary contact with finance department for quarterly and yearly project and client portfolio tracking, forecasting, and reconciliation of assigned activities
• Use project-tracking software to set up and manage projects internally, enter project budgets, trigger invoices, track project expenses, and work with team members to track project hours
• Prepare project reconciliations
• Trigger invoices for submission to the client
• Ensure that all invoices and reconciliations are accurate and occurring at the appropriate project milestones and in a timely manner
• Review profit/loss reports (budget versus actual report from finance system, final reconciliations) with project managers and other members of team to determine potential for cost-savings; work with appropriate personnel to address cost concerns
• Review project detail reports with project managers weekly (or as needed) to identify incorrectly recorded, and/or potentially out-of-scope project hours; address or communicate as appropriate
• Work with team to identify, analyze, and proactively communicate timeline and budget risks

• Recognize and evaluate requests for out-of-scope work and alert client in timely manner, work with team to estimate additional budget needed to complete out-of-scope work, and create and process amendments to project proposal for client when necessary

Internal and External Relationships

• Attend and lead aspects of weekly client status, internal team status, new project kick-off, and post-conference debriefing meetings
• Review all major deliverables (i.e., project briefs, drafts, status reports, etc.) to ensure quality standards and client expectations are met
• Foster and develop collaboration between departments, internal groups, and individuals to ensure innovative and collaborative solutions to client needs
• Represent the organization in a professional and appropriate manner in all forms of communication (speaking, writing, appearance) whether in person or virtually
• Facilitate communication between team members and clients necessary to maintain strong relationships and effective account management via various methods (email, IM, phone, face-to-face)
• Be a positive force for enhancing the work culture, consensus-building, and internal communications
• Resolve conflict and celebrate success; set clear team priorities; explain client/brand objectives and strategies; define success in terms of the whole team
• Keep senior management apprised of critical client concerns and opportunities; provide brand review meeting content
• Keep senior management apprised of critical internal Synchrony issues, concerns, and opportunities
• Attend client meetings and congresses, and communicate key learnings to team and client
• Actively participate in client presentations, selling and communicating the agency's point of view
• Monitor industry and therapeutic area best practices and advances to ensure that Synchrony and our clients are at the cutting edge or leading the field
• Support the agency activities of senior management, as needed

Key Competencies

• Effective interpersonal skills, with a strong focus on account services, strategic medical/publications, and businesses processes
• Ability to manage outcomes to win-win resolution
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, professionalism, and accountability
• A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution, maturity, and people management skills
• Ability to present ideas and supporting rationale to internal and external teams in an effective manner
• Demonstrated ability to manage key constituent relationships
• Able to identify key issues; creatively and strategically overcome challenges or obstacles towards a positive resolution; demonstrated ability to apply learning
• Ability to oversee, manage, and support priorities and workflow to ensure high-quality project execution according to project timelines and budgets
• Effective attention to detail, strong writing skills with a solid handle on proper grammar and punctuation, and a high degree of accuracy
• Sound analytical thinking, planning, prioritization, and execution skills
• Strong communication skills both verbally and in writing
• Strong presentation and persuasion skills: Can develop a clear point of view and tell a meaningful “story”; is effective in a variety of settings and group sizes with clients, peers, subordinates, and management; confidently expresses both data/facts, plus more controversial topics; commands attention and can manage group dynamics
• Demonstrated knowledge of Good Publications Practices
• Proven ability to conduct internet research specifically around clinical trials/investigators/investigative agents and pharmaceutical companies/biotechs
• Skilled at Microsoft Office, specifically Excel and PowerPoint

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required (life sciences, communications, or marketing preferred)
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience of Account Services support or related experience in the pharmaceutical publication planning or medical communications industry
• ISMPP CMPP preferred
• History of successful management of more than ~2 million dollars of fee/year
• Must be able to travel up to 25 percent of the time
• Specific industry and/or therapeutic expertise is required
• Substantial experience leading at least 3 of the following activities: publications activities, medical education activities, medical communications campaigns, strategic communications planning, advisory boards, key clinical expert identification and development

Working Conditions

• Ability to travel as client needs require
• Significant communication with clients and internal teams, including presentations
• Ability to commit to extra and/or nontraditional hours as client needs require

Synchrony places high value on the well-being of its employees; therefore, Synchrony team members are eligible for a comprehensive array of benefits, including competitive salaries, generous paid time off, excellent health insurance, family leave, and a 401(k) plan with employer matching.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

EOE. Synchrony is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role.