Vice president, healthcare, ruder finn

Ruder Finn is one of the world’s largest independent global communications and integrated marketing agencies, recognized for bold ideas, strategic thinking, and a culture that continually pushes what’s next. The agency continues to earn recognition for its industry leadership, creativity, and growth, including being named Large Agency of the Year at the 2026 PRWeek U.S. Awards and one of PRWeek’s Best Places to Work.

Ruder Finn is seeking an exceptional Vice President, Health account lead to provide strategic counsel and execution for its clients in the healthcare sector. This role will oversee the planning and execution of strategic programs, product communications, DSE and regulatory milestones as well as play a key role in growing existing business and managing and cultivating staff. The individual will have excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to multi-task, lead workstreams and provide sound strategic counsel.

We are seeking candidates who are excited to work on breakthrough product communications in the areas of oncology, immunology, rare disease and neuroscience. This individual will need to build strong client relationships, manage internal cross-functional account teams, drive growth within an agency environment and possess a strong record of account management with exceptional client service.

If you’re passionate about healthcare, energized by complex challenges, and excited to build campaigns that make an impact, this could be the perfect role for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the day-to-day lead for healthcare clients, managing strategy, planning and execution
• Oversee multiple projects and workstreams from planning through execution, anticipating challenges, troubleshooting issues, proposing solutions, and ensuring deadlines and budgets are adhered to
• Contribute significantly to the development of comprehensive and innovative integrated communications programs, campaign recommendations and budgeting
• Provide an excellent level of client service by delivering projects on time and that are high quality in nature and error-free; manage multiple workstreams keeping teams on task and on deadline
• Manage, mentor, and develop junior and mid-level talent by identifying skills and repositioning roles as necessary to create a best-in-class teams
• Provide thoughtful client counsel and recommendations that reflect an understanding of client priorities, the healthcare landscape, and communications best practices
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of clients’ businesses, including competitors, product landscapes, public opinion and market trends, influencers, media dynamics, and factors that may impact communications strategy
• Apply innovative thinking to generate new approaches, alternative strategies, and creative program ideas
• Identify potential issues early, elevate challenges with recommended solutions, and know when to seek senior counsel
• Lead the development of core communications materials, including media strategies, press releases, key message documents, social media content, briefing materials, communications plans, and client presentations
• Ensure strong quality control across client materials, reviewing for accuracy, strategic alignment, clarity, and polish
• Maintain a high level of responsiveness and communicate with clients, supervisors, and account teams in a clear, timely, and solutions-oriented manner
• Motivate team members to work together toward shared objectives and high-quality outcomes
• Convey ideas clearly and confidently in client meetings and presentations
• Serve as a role model for junior team members by demonstrating sound judgment, accountability, curiosity, and openness to new ways of thinking
• Delegate effectively by setting clear expectations, deadlines, context, and measures of success
• Build program budgets, track finances, create SOWs, and support forecasting while ensuring resources align with client needs

Qualifications

• Minimum 8+ years of experience within public relations/communications, healthcare/pharma experience is required
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism or related field
• Previous experience in healthcare communications with experience working on pharmaceutical products, biotech and/or patient advocacy
• Experience with data and regulatory milestones communications is required
• Experience in working with patient advocacy groups, patients and influencers is required
• A personal passion to work across all verticals in the healthcare space
• Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to build relationships
• Demonstrated track record of developing and executing successful communications programs for healthcare brands
• Curiosity and comfort with integrating AI into communications and workflows
• Strong writing and organizational skills and ability to multi-task
• Ability to contribute to strategic thinking and the development and execution of programs

Benefits and More

You will receive a competitive base salary and bonus opportunity. You will also be able to enroll in our Health, Dental, Vision, company paid Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Account, as well as 401k (match) plan. Monthly allowance for cell phone, office equipment, etc. Generous PTO policy with paid maternity/paternity leave. Transit benefits. Professional learning and development opportunities. Workplace flexibility. On-site and off-site social gatherings.

The anticipated salary range for this position, at the time of posting, is $120,000 - $145,000. The salary of the applicant selected for this role will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, education, internal equity, geography, relevant years of experience, certifications, skills, abilities of the selected applicant, and other job-related qualifications. In addition, a range of medical, dental, vision, disability, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and/or other benefits also are available by the company.

We have openings across multiple levels within the agency. If you're interested, please reach out to HumanResources@RuderFinn.com, we'd be happy to discuss similar opportunities that align with your experience.

Ruder Finn provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Ruder Finn will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Ruder Finn believes that diversity and inclusion among our employees is critical to our success as a global company, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.