The Group Account Director / Launch Lead is responsible for leading the strategic planning, execution, and commercialization support of new pharmaceutical product launches on behalf of a healthcare advertising agency client. This role serves as the primary agency lead and trusted partner to pharmaceutical brand teams, overseeing cross-functional teams to deliver integrated launch campaigns across HCP, patient, payer, and digital channels.
The ideal candidate combines deep healthcare/pharmaceutical marketing expertise with strong leadership, operational execution, and client management skills. This individual thrives in a fast-paced agency environment and can successfully manage complex launch timelines, multiple stakeholders, regulatory considerations, and high-visibility deliverables.
Key Responsibilities
Launch Strategy & Commercialization
- Lead end-to-end launch planning for pharmaceutical brands from pre-launch through commercialization
- Partner with client brand teams to develop launch strategy, positioning, messaging, and integrated campaign plans
- Translate clinical data and market insights into compelling marketing and communication strategies
- Develop launch roadmaps, tactical plans, and go-to-market strategies aligned with commercial objectives
- Support disease awareness, branded, and unbranded campaign development across multiple stakeholder audiences
Client Leadership & Relationship Management
- Serve as the primary point of contact for pharmaceutical clients and internal agency resources
- Build trusted relationships with client stakeholders including marketing, medical affairs, market access, legal/regulatory, and commercial operations
- Lead client meetings, strategic discussions (working with Strategic Leads), presentations, and status communications
- Anticipate client needs and proactively recommend strategic solutions and opportunities
- Ensure high client satisfaction, retention, and account growth
Integrated Campaign Execution
Oversee development and execution of omnichannel launch campaigns, including:
- HCP promotion
- Digital and social media
- Speaker programs
- Congress support
- Website and CRM campaigns
- Market access and payer materials
- Manage agency timelines, deliverables, budgets, and resource allocation to ensure successful launch execution
- Coordinate with creative, strategy, medical, digital, production, media, analytics, and project management teams
Medical, Legal & Regulatory Coordination
- Ensure all materials comply with FDA regulations, OPDP guidelines, and client MLR review processes
- Collaborate with medical and regulatory teams to ensure scientific accuracy and compliance
- Guide teams through MLR submission and approval processes efficiently and effectively
- Maintain awareness of evolving pharmaceutical advertising regulations and industry trends
Brand Strategy & Market Insights
- Analyze market dynamics, competitive landscape, and customer insights to inform launch strategy (working with Strategic Lead)
- Support positioning, segmentation, and messaging development
- Monitor launch KPIs and recommend strategic adjustments as needed
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Life Sciences, or related field
- 8–12+ years of healthcare/pharmaceutical advertising agency experience
- Proven experience leading pharmaceutical product launches
- Strong understanding of FDA regulations, MLR processes, and pharmaceutical commercialization
- Experience supporting HCP and patient marketing initiatives across multiple channels
- Ability to manage complex projects and multiple stakeholders simultaneously
- Strong strategic thinking, presentation, and client management skills
Preferred Experience
- Experience launching specialty, rare disease, oncology, ophthalmology, or biologic products preferred
- Experience with omnichannel marketing and digital transformation initiatives
- Prior management or team leadership experience
- MBA or advanced degree a plus
- Strategic and commercial mindset
- Strong leadership and executive presence
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills
- High attention to detail and operational excellence
- Ability to thrive in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments
- Collaborative, proactive, and solutions-oriented approach