Who We Are:
At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.
Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.
Managing Partner, Sanofi Client Engagement, Medical CommunicationsReports to: Managing Director, Medical Communications, Global/ EU
Department: Client Services
Country: Italy or United Kingdom
City Milan, London or Manchester
VML HEALTH is a leading global healthcare agency that partners with clients to build connected experiences across the healthcare ecosystem. A deep understanding of individual needs and behaviour, and how they are connected, allows us to create seamless experiences. And when these experiences are personalized, unique and relevant at every touchpoint, their power is all the more profound.
We power connections beyond science into human behaviour. We believe that science can change the world and that changing the world starts with a single person behaving differently. Overcoming beliefs and barriers to make life better for patients and healthcare communities is second nature to us.
Position Summary:
The Managing Partner - Sanofi, is a critical leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, growth, and overall success of the Sanofi EU/Global medical communications business within the EU/Global Medical Communications team. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the Managing Partner will lead and mentor a high-performing team, foster strong client relationships, and drive innovation to expand our business across new therapeutic areas. This role requires a seasoned leader with a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, medical communications, and a proven track record of exceeding revenue targets and building successful client partnerships. The Managing Partner will work closely with the Strategy, Medical, Creative, and Account leadership to achieve revenue targets, growing revenues, capitalizing on market opportunities, and innovation to ensure balanced, ambitious, yet realistic growth across each account team.
While the role is focusing on Sanofi initially, it could expand to other clients based on agency growth pattern
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic plan for the Sanofi business within VML Health EU/Global, aligning with the overall company vision and objectives.
- Client Relationship Management: Cultivate and maintain strong, trusted relationships with key stakeholders at Sanofi, acting as a strategic advisor and partner.
- Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of account professionals within the EU Hub Medical Communications, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
- Business Development: Identify and pursue new business opportunities within Sanofi, expanding our service offerings and market share.
- Operational Excellence: Ensure efficient and effective operations across all Sanofi accounts within the EU Hub Medical Communications s, optimizing workflows and resource allocation.
- Innovation & Integration: Drive innovation in medical communications, leveraging digital solutions and emerging technologies (including Health Studios and Enterprise solutions) to enhance client outcomes.
- Financial Performance: Achieve and exceed revenue targets, managing budgets effectively and maximizing profitability.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with other departments within VML Health, VML and WPP, including Health Studios, Enterprise Solutions, and other relevant teams.
- WPP Open Integration: Co-lead the development of WPP Open, accelerating the integration of digital solutions into Sanofi's systems.
- Internal Use Case Development: Develop internal use cases for project management by optimizing workflows, content creation, and customized solutions from predictive analytics to automated reporting.
- Empowerment: Empower Sanofi teams to make informed decisions, drive operational efficiency, and achieve strategic goals.
Role Requirements:
- Provide senior account leadership, motivation, and supervision of team members for multiple accounts.
- Engage in forward thinking and planning for accounts and mine for opportunities for additional growth.
- Act as mentor to the individuals in the account group and identify opportunities for individual growth and experiences by setting goals and coaching, when appropriate.
- Identify and help resolve people/departmental conflicts with practical solutions.
- Keep management informed of client activity/issues/opportunities.
- Understand client forecast/budget issues.
- Assist in recruitment of new team members when necessary.
- Be a steward of company culture and environment.
- Be a team player and help fellow senior managers when necessary.
- Network and work in partnership across VML Health and WPP, when appropriate.
- Foster and maintain a wide network of valuable relationships in the medical education communications and pharma business sectors (i.e., follow clients to new company, keep relationships ongoing with key opinion leaders [KOLs]).
- Support Client Services Directors to be the brand champion by ensuring all agency efforts and projects are in the best interest of the brand and meet the overall strategic imperatives, positioning, and long-term vision.
- Possess a knowledge of the therapeutic markets to which the brands belong and stay abreast of market trends and new product entries.
- Actively participate in strategic development and ensure that communication plans have alignment between issues, strategies and programming and challenge those that do not.
- Provide senior-level guidance and strategic direction to client.
- Develop and maintain harmonious relationships with all levels of client teams.
- Take responsibility for client satisfaction and identify new ways/solutions to strengthen relationships.
- Identify and resolves client conflicts quickly and efficiently.
- Provide proactive written recommendations to client on a regular basis.
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the therapeutic market and share timely information about changes in the market.
- Identify and lead new business opportunities and organically grow current business by developing and executing account growth plans.
Desired Skills and Experiences:
- Pharmaceutical Industry Expertise: Deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, including drug development, regulatory affairs, and commercialization.
- Medical Communications Expertise: Extensive experience in medical communications, including medical education, scientific publications, and digital engagement.
- Client Relationship Management: Proven ability to build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with senior-level clients.
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and execute strategic plans that drive business growth and achieve client objectives.
- Leadership & Team Management: Demonstrated leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team.
- Business Development: Proven track record of identifying and pursuing new business opportunities.
- Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of financial principles and budget management.
- Communication & Presentation Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively.
- Problem-Solving & Decision-Making: Ability to identify and solve complex problems, making sound decisions under pressure.
- Innovation & Creativity: A passion for innovation and a desire to push the boundaries of medical communications.
- Digital Proficiency: Understanding of digital marketing principles and technologies.
Qualifications:
- Senior healthcare agency leadership experience (15+ years preferred).
- Experience working directly with Sanofi is highly preferred.
- Exemplary oral and written communications skills essential.
- Must be able to persuasively articulate values, information and present compelling cases to multiple audiences.
- Able to balance multiple priorities.
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in a related field (e.g., MBA, PharmD, PhD) preferred.
We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.
WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
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