HEALTH + LIFE SCIENCES DIRECTOR

A leading strategic communications consultancy is looking for a Health & Life Sciences Director to help drive the growth of its practice in London. This is a senior, client-facing role for someone with deep sector knowledge, strong judgement, an excellent contacts book (UK/EU/US), and the ability to spot and win new business.

You’ll be a trusted adviser to senior clients, providing calm, well-judged counsel on reputational, regulatory and business-critical issues — and leading high-stakes programmes across corporate communications, crisis management and public affairs.

The role

You’ll lead strategic corporate communications programmes for a broad mix of health and life sciences organisations, including pharmaceuticals, biotech, medtech, healthcare providers, trade bodies and life sciences investors. You’ll also help shape the growth of the practice, with opportunities to work across other sectors from time to time.

Key responsibilities

  • Leading strategic comms programmes for health & life sciences clients, ensuring high-quality delivery and client satisfaction

  • Advising senior clients on reputation, positioning, issues management, crisis preparedness and stakeholder engagement in regulated environments

  • Building long-term client relationships and maintaining regular senior-level engagement

  • Working with public affairs colleagues to guide clients on policy and political engagement

  • Leading and developing high-performing teams (mentoring, feedback, performance management support)

  • Leading presentations, new business pitches and driving organic growth/cross-selling

  • Proactively identifying and resolving client challenges to support retention

  • Developing and executing campaigns with a strong understanding of the media landscape

  • Cultivating a network of sector contacts across the UK/EU/US

  • Leading business development initiatives, including fee negotiations and marketing activity

  • Improving efficiency in account practices (including smart use of tools/tech)

  • Representing the organisation at industry events and building external visibility

  • Completing weekly timesheets in Float to support project tracking and efficiency

Candidate specification

  • 8+ years’ experience in health & life sciences communications (agency background essential)

  • In-house experience within healthcare/pharma/biotech/life sciences is highly desirable

  • Health public affairs experience is an advantage

  • Strong understanding of the regulatory, scientific and reputational landscape

  • Confident strategic adviser to senior clients, with sound judgement in complex situations

  • Strong leadership skills with a collaborative approach

  • Commercial mindset: business development, client retention and operational efficiency

  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

Package

  • Salary: £90 – £105k

  • Pension + salary exchange, nursery salary sacrifice

  • Medical and life insurance

  • Cycle to work and technology schemes

  • Flexible working options

  • 25 days annual leave in year one (26 days thereafter) + additional leave options

  • Wellbeing support (EAP, mental health first-aiders)

  • Office perks and a strong social calendar

To apply

Email hello@prcrowd.co.uk with your CV (and a short note on your current situation/notice period)

Gavin Watson