(SVP) Senior Portfolio Director, Client Solutions

Purpose

Senior Portfolio Director, Client Solutions is a highly experienced, strategic role with responsibility for leading (in partnership with Scientific counterpart[s]) a portfolio of programs/accounts for a sole client company, or a portfolio of business across different client companies (likely to include a designated Key Account). The Senior Portfolio Director applies expert knowledge of the market and products relevant to the assigned business, clients’ strategic objectives, and expertise in scientific communications strategy/tactics for successful service delivery and business growth. This role has a focus on account oversight and strategy, client engagement, planning and resourcing, and business development within the assigned portfolio. The Senior Portfolio Director is also likely to have significant involvement in business development, within their Division, beyond the assigned portfolio. This role line manages Program Support and/or Account Management team members (typically between four to eight; either directly or through the support of line managers who report to them).

Responsibilities

• Project management

• Apply expert understanding of Client’s overall strategic commercial/medical and communication objectives, and the healthcare market in which the client operates.

.• EPG/client standard operating procedures (SOPs), and policies, compliance and Master Services Agreement requirements applicable to assigned portfolio, directing account team members as necessary to ensure adherence to these and identifying any training needs within the team

.• Governing pharma regulations applicable to the portfolio and wider industry standards, EPG products and services in order to identify how these can best meet clients’ needs.

.• Oversee activities of team(s) (in partnership with the relevant Scientific lead[s]) across assigned portfolio/Key Account (either directly or indirectly via oversight of other account management lead(s)), to ensure alignment with client and EPG objectives, and deployment of team members for optimal efficiency and quality of outputs, providing guidance and making decisions as necessary to ensure successful service delivery.

• Serve as hands-on account lead on specified programs/accounts within assigned portfolio/Key Account, liaising directly with client on service delivery as appropriate.

• Lead best practice implementation across assigned portfolio or Division, proactively seeking insights from the wider business.

• Lead resolution of issues (in partnership with the relevant Scientific leads[s]) related to people and/or processes that may impact service delivery, supporting the team in identifying and implementing solutions that will ensure a successful outcome.

• Lead preparation for and execution of client meetings, acting as facilitator as appropriate

• Account management, strategy and planning.

• Drive overarching strategic and tactical direction across assigned portfolio/Key Account, in collaboration with the relevant Scientific lead(s).

• Apply strategic understanding of client business to: provide expert client counsel, and recommend communication approaches for optimal support of the client’s strategic objectives; potentially facilitate workshops, and manage delivery of high-value strategic projects.

• Serve as the client relationship owner on specified account(s) within the portfolio, developing and maintaining own positive relationships with client team members (and external experts as appropriate to the account), generating confidence in capabilities of the account team and EPG more broadly.

• Monitor client satisfaction with EPG service and delivery, and lead the internal team in addressing any issues raised by the client, to ensure positive resolution; lead client liaison on this as necessary.

• Work in partnership with Scientific lead(s) to monitor workflow and plan account resourcing across the assigned portfolio/Key Account.

• Apply expert understanding of client and EPG financial SOPs and best practice processes in all aspects of account financial management.

• Lead (directly or via oversight of other Account Management leads) the ongoing financia

lmanagement of business across the assigned portfolio/Key Account, according to EPG and client SOPs, to meet financial goals (includes preparation of scopes of work and budgets, negotiation with client, budget and out-of-scope tracking, reconciliation, and invoicing [in partnership with Client Finance]).

• Lead team and intervene, as necessary, to optimize profitability of service delivery.

• Contribute to or lead internal discussions regarding Master Services Agreements with client(s) and to set annual pricing, and participate in client negotiations if required.

• Provide required information for monthly account forecasting and lead ongoing account planning activities across the assigned portfolio/Key Account.

• Business growth and development.

• Drive organic growth across accounts within assigned portfolio/Key Account to meet agreed targets, and actively seek opportunities for expansion of EPG services within portfolio client(s)

• Maintain an in-depth understanding of the client company/companies within the assigned portfolio, working to expand own network of contacts.

• Maintain an in-depth knowledge of EPG cross-functional and multichannel business offerings and capabilities, both within and beyond ESS.

• Lead new business proposal and presentation development (for business within assigned portfolio/Key Account or for other opportunities assigned to the Division), ensuring conten

talignment with the client brief, optimal positioning of EPG services and capabilities, and manage associated resources and processes.

• Lead pitch presentations to client, ensuring necessary preparation and rehearsal of pitch team.

• Partner with others (relevant Scientific lead, Business Unit/Division Heads, and Growth Engine Team if involved) to set up the team and processes for successful delivery of new business

• People/line management.

• Ensure, either directly, or via line reports, the well-being of all Program Support and/or Account Management team members/line reports, providing support and guidance as required (including approving timesheets and vacations).

• Undertake Envision Contribution Planning (ECP) and develop/implement training and development plans for direct line reports, in line with EPG policy

• Where necessary, undertake performance management, with input from HR.

• Contribute to compensation/remuneration discussions for assigned team members.

• Mentor less experienced line managers in the team, guiding their development and supporting management activities, such as ECP and training plans.

• Participate in recruitment activities, as necessary.

• Functional/operational involvement.

• Partner with divisional management in operational matters and business planning, taking the lead where appropriate, and contributing to preparation of divisional operating plans as required.

• Participate in or lead functional or operational working groups/initiatives, as required.

• Other duties as assigned.

Role Requirements

Education and Experience

• Preferably educated to degree level* or equivalent.

• Typically at least 10 years of experience in a senior account leadership role in a medical

communications agency environment.

• Experience leading large programs in a global environment, and gained across both publicatio

nsand non-publications medcomms deliverables.

• Experience growing accounts and leading new business development activities successfully.

• Proven experience as a line manager of direct reports and other managers.

• Proficiency in MS Office suite (especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Able to manage complex delivery programs effectively across a portfolio of business

• Excellent financial acumen.

• Able to lead and motivate teams to deliver projects effectively.

• Good interpersonal skills and ability to interact confidently and appropriately with colleagues across the business, and to work effectively as part of a global, multidisciplinary team.

• Strong decision-making and critical thinking ability.

• Able to think creatively and innovate.

• Able to build strong and positive relationships, with client and other external stakeholders

• Ability and confidence to discuss strategy with client and provide counsel, as relevant to EPG servicves

• Excellent negotiation skills.

• Excellent meeting facilitation and presentation skills.

• Excellent ability as a people/line manager.