Advertisements
In the Pharmaceutical Marketing context Account Management Jobs are mainly found in Medical Communications / Medical Education Agencies, Public Relations Agencies and Healthcare Advertising Agencies. These are all companies providing bespoke communications services to Pharmaceutical, Biotech, Medical Device and associated industries. These communications services aim to provide content and strategic advice in marketing, promotion, medical education and training.
Account Management jobs are usually client facing roles, the level of interaction dependent upon the seniority of the position. In general the account management team has a hierarchical structure. Leading an account you might have a Client Services Director (CSD) or Associate Director; these people have overall responsibility for the account and provide an ambassadorial role for the agency. They may not be involved day to day in the delivery of the account but will play an integral role in planning the strategy to be adopted and implement. The CSD is also usually a member of the agency management team and also involved with company development.
Reporting to the CSD is the Account Director (AD). These are the people who ensure that the account is running optimally, resolving client issues, keeping to the budget, ensuring deadlines and milestones are met and that the marketing plan is being implemented according to the CSD's instructions. They keep the CSD informed on the account's status and manage the account team to keep everything on track.
Subordinate to the Account Director are the Account Managers. The Account Managers run the account on a day to day basis. They are the ones getting everything done, putting the plan in to practice. They liaise with the client on an ongoing basis and keep the AD appraised of developments and the need for review.
The Account Managers are supported by Account Executives (AE). The AEs can absorb some of the account running responsibilities which don't require an in depth understanding of marketing practices and processes. In this way over time the AE can build up their knowledge and take on further responsibilities as their experience grows.
This is obviously a simplified scenario of how an account team works in a medical communications agency and each company will have a slightly different modus operandi and may well have different job titles and job responsibilities, but hopefully it gives a flavour of how the account team might interact. Within an agency the account management team will work in unison with the editorial team to guarantee the seamless delivery of content.
As you become a more senior member of the account management team, you can also expect to start taking on more new business responsibilities, whether that entails the organic growth of an existing account or becoming part of the pitch team tasked with seeking out and winning new account opportunities.
