Hybrid Account Director, Advocacy – Healthcare Communications

at Real Chemistry

• Job title: Account Director, Advocacy – Healthcare Communications
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Lead
• Salary: $95,000 - $115,000 per year
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Boston, United States

About the role

• Account Director for Advocacy managing patient engagement strategies at Real Chemistry. Building relationships with advocacy organizations and leading complex client accounts.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of advocacy and patient engagement strategies aligned to brand, policy, access, and disease-area objectives
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients on working credibly and compliantly with US patient advocacy organizations
• Build, manage, and sustain strong, trusted relationships with patient groups, coalitions, and advocacy leaders
• Guide clients on best-practice models for patient collaboration, including co-creation, advisory boards, summits, and patient-led initiatives
• Support the design and delivery of patient-centric programs, including education, awareness, policy engagement, and community-based initiatives
• Ensure patient engagement approaches are authentic, ethical, and aligned with the evolving US advocacy landscape
• Act as the central connector between patients, advocacy groups, clients, and internal Real Chemistry teams
• Manage complex stakeholder environments involving patients, NGOs, policy influencers, clinicians, and industry partners
• Advise on stakeholder mapping, engagement prioritization, and long-term relationship building in the US context
• Anticipate stakeholder risks and sensitivities, providing proactive guidance to clients
• Serve as the day-to-day senior client partner, owning the relationship and overall account health
• Lead the development of integrated advocacy and engagement plans (annual, quarterly, or campaign-based)
• Provide counsel on advocacy trends, patient dynamics, and the broader healthcare and policy environment
• Identify opportunities to evolve and expand client programs across advocacy, policy, communications, and engagement
• Own delivery across multiple workstreams, ensuring timelines, quality control, and flawless execution
• Lead budget management, forecasting, and financial stewardship across advocacy and engagement programs
• Oversee resourcing and workflow across cross-functional teams including advocacy, policy, communications, creative, digital, and analytics
• Ensure programs are delivered efficiently, compliantly, and to Real Chemistry standards
• Lead and mentor junior team members, fostering advocacy expertise, strategic thinking, and delivery excellence
• Create a collaborative, high-performing team culture that balances empathy, rigor, and accountability
• Act as an internal advocate for patient-centric ways of working across the wider Real Chemistry organization
• Support new business development, pitches, and proposals, particularly those with a patient, advocacy, or policy lens
• Identify white-space opportunities where advocacy and patient engagement can unlock additional client value
• Help position Real Chemistry as a partner of choice for patient-centered and advocacy-led programs in the US

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing or a related field or equivalent experience is required
• Typically 8–12+ years’ experience in healthcare communications, advocacy, public affairs, or patient engagement
• Demonstrated experience working directly with US patient advocacy organizations (essential)
• Strong understanding of the US advocacy ecosystem, including compliance considerations and best practices
• Proven track record leading complex client accounts and senior stakeholders
• Strong financial and operational management skills; agency experience strongly preferred
• A passion for patient-centered healthcare and improving outcomes through meaningful engagement
• Some management experience of junior staff required – interns, associates
• High energy, able to effectively operate in fast-paced, growing and evolving environment
• The position may require some domestic travel for client meetings and conferences (10 percent)

Benefits

• Health insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Paid time off
• Mental wellness coaching
• Access to over 13,000 online classes with LinkedIn Learning