About Us 

Initiative unlocks business growth for the world’s most ambitious brands. We believe in the power of media to reshape our industry and orchestrate a brand’s entire consumer experience, by balancing both what unites people and what makes them different.  

When brands unite people in culture, they build Fame, and when brands connect individuals to their unique journeys, they build customer Flow.  

Media responsibility is at the forefront of everything we do, whether it’s creating media plans that reflect the diversity of our communities, promote brand safety, and foster sustainability.  

Our agency celebrates diversity in an inclusive environment where all of our 6,000+ strong talent across 90+ markets feel seen, heard, and valued. Our vision is to create not only a better media company, but also a better media industry, and maybe even a better world.  

About Initiative Health

Initiative Health is the healthcare division of Initiative, a culturally-driven, media-led communications agency known for delivering transformative brand strategies through our proprietary ‘Fame and Flow’ approach. We specialize in healthcare clients, particularly in the prescription drug and OTC medicine space, and are seeking a Group Strategy Director to lead strategy for our largest global healthcare client, focusing on key therapy areas including vaccines and oncology.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development of marketing strategies that drive script lift, behavioral change, and commercial growth through a deep understanding of patient and HCP journeys and their interconnectedness.
• Act as a strategic partner for the client’s global and regional pharma marketing teams, crafting solutions that navigate regulatory complexities and capitalize on industry shifts to create innovative, future-proof marketing approaches.
• Provide leadership in creating brand and performance strategies that reflect evolving healthcare dynamics and deliver measurable business impact.

Pharma Expertise & Market Insights

• Demonstrate a deep understanding of the global pharma marketing landscape, with expertise in key trends, regulatory changes, and emerging digital innovations that influence healthcare marketing.
• Identify and interpret key industry shifts (e.g., rise of omnichannel marketing, personalized medicine, virtual consultations) and articulate their impact on marketing strategies.
• Leverage insights into pharma-specific patient and HCP experiences to develop multi-channel campaigns that enhance engagement and optimize the path to prescription.

Driving Fame & Flow in Healthcare

• Embed Initiative’s ‘Fame and Flow’ philosophy, adapting it to the unique needs of healthcare clients by balancing cultural relevance with scientific credibility to deliver strategic excellence.
• Collaborate closely with the Analytics and Comms Design teams to ensure data-driven strategies translate into effective execution across global markets.
• Bring fresh thinking and innovation to the strategic process, fostering award-winning and breakthrough work in the healthcare space.

Team & Agency Leadership

• Manage and mentor a team of healthcare strategists, fostering their growth and maintaining excellence across complex client portfolios.
• Act as a senior voice in cross-agency collaboration, ensuring seamless integration across Strategy, Comms Design, Analytics, and Business Leadership teams.
• Drive internal strategic initiatives, including thought leadership, trend workshops, and developing industry-leading case studies for the healthcare sector.

Pitching & Growth

• Lead strategy for significant healthcare pitches and expand growth opportunities within existing client portfolios, positioning Initiative Health as a trusted strategic partner.
• Identify opportunities to up-sell new strategic services to healthcare clients, driving incremental business through transformation roadmaps.

Crafting Healthcare Strategy

• Blend cultural foresight, healthcare-specific insights, and performance data to craft transformative, patient-centric strategies.
• Develop audience strategies grounded in the unique behaviors and motivations of patients and HCPs to deliver innovative, measurable outcomes.
• Balance brand-building and performance marketing, aligning them to drive overall healthcare business success.

External Partnerships & Innovation

• Foster relationships with pharma-focused media owners, creative agencies, academic institutions, and digital health innovators to stay ahead of emerging trends.
• Lead bespoke trend and innovation sessions tailored for healthcare clients, continuously identifying cultural and industry shifts that elevate strategies.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience in strategy, preferably within media, pharma, or health marketing agencies.
• Proven ability to deliver omnichannel strategies with a focus on healthcare clients, especially in vaccines and oncology.
• In-depth knowledge of pharma marketing regulations and Patient/HCP engagement models, with the ability to navigate complex multi-market environments.
• Strong leadership and team development skills with a track record of managing high-performing healthcare strategy teams.
• Exceptional communication skills, capable of influencing C-suite stakeholders and guiding complex, multi-stakeholder projects.

Employee Transparency 

At IPG Mediabrands, we celebrate differences and believe this makes us stronger. IPG Mediabrands are equal-opportunity employers committed to championing an inclusive culture that provides a sense of belonging for all our employees. We do not discriminate against any applicant based on age, disability, race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, belief, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Please reach out to our Talent Inclusion Specialist Jess at [email protected] if you would like to have a confidential conversation regarding any adjustments that would ensure our recruitment process is accessible for you. Please note requesting a reasonable adjustment will not affect your application. 

The Perks 

We aim to provide all our people with a supportive and fun work environment where you can develop your full potential and benefit from the broad range of opportunities within the agency. When you join us, we want to make sure you feel valued – and that you are rewarded for your fantastic work. So, we also offer a range of benefits:

• Flexi–leave, with 25 days annual leave to be taken as minimum. In addition to your holiday entitlement, the office usually closes between Christmas & New Year 
• Free breakfast and free lunch
• Early finish Fridays
• Core Hours (Mon-Thurs, flexible start/finish times)
• Retail discounts
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice car scheme 
• Wellbeing programme, including Headspace & flu jabs 
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Paid time off for Volunteering
• Group Income Protection
• Life Assurance
• Private Medical Insurance or Health Cash Plan (dependent on level)
• Group Personal Pension Plan with matched contributions from 3-6%
• Generous Parental Leave & Pay
• Independent mortgage advice
• Financial education
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free eye tests
• Flexible benefits including Dental, Travel insurance, Cycle to Work, Gym Discounts and many more!