Account Director - Health Public Affairs New Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Account Director - Health Public Affairs Who we are: Hill & Knowlton is a strategic and creative partner to drive breakthrough opportunities for growth and value creation, advance corporate strategy, and build reputation capital and resiliency. We’re a proven partner for business and brand transformation. A full‑service global firm, we provide strategic communication, marketing and corporate affairs solutions distinguished by intelligence and creativity. Hill & Knowlton is part of WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP), the creative transformation company.

More about the role: Hill & Knowlton, a Burson Company, Canada’s leading strategic communications and public affairs consultancy, is looking for a passionate and high‑performing health‑focused Senior Consultant to join our growing Public Affairs team in Toronto.

This role will allow you to work with some of the most important global and Canadian companies and non‑profits in the health space, while also providing opportunities to work with a broad portfolio of clients across a range of other sectors, including technology, finance, transportation and energy. As a global agency offering a full spectrum of public affairs and communications expertise, as part of our team you will also be exposed to – and may get to work on – diverse other services and specialties, on projects in Canada and beyond. We are looking for not only incredible talent but also great attitude, energy and passion for H&K and our clients.

The position will be responsible for providing strategic government relations and advocacy counsel for a diverse portfolio of health clients, ensuring that client satisfaction is maintained at the highest level. You will apply strategic thinking and oversight to client programs, deploy the firm’s resources to achieve client objectives, monitor client projects on a day‑to‑day basis, and work as part of a team, supporting and networking with your peer group.

What you’ll do: Account Directors are leaders who love a challenge. You will be responsible for designing and executing public affairs programs on behalf of our clients, leading collaborative account teams while managing budgets to ensure both profitability and accountability. You will employ strategic thinking, strong interpersonal skills, and health and public affairs knowledge in all you do. More specifically, you will be:

Creating and executing comprehensive stakeholder engagement, advocacy, communications, and government relations plans that support our health‑focused clients’ business objectives

Exercising creativity and problem‑solving to devise innovative strategies to address complex client issues or public affairs challenges

Leveraging existing relationships with an established network of health system stakeholders and government officials, developing additional contacts where needed to allow for expert analysis and insights into current policy priorities and political issues

Crafting compelling, engaging, and well‑informed messages and advocacy materials, including briefing notes, backgrounders, fact sheets, position papers, submissions, presentations, and responses to requests for proposals

Counselling clients on government relations responses and messaging related to crises and issue developments

Working in an integrated way with Sector Leads, Specialty Experts, and other leaders across the business to provide integrated support and service

Providing mentorship and leadership to colleagues on account teams

Measuring and reviewing the success of H&K programs for clients against stated goals

Managing profitability of accounts and/or performance and utilization of account team

Experience that contributes to success:

Minimum 7 to 10 years’ experience in a public affairs, communications, government, or political role

Post‑secondary degree in political science, public policy, communications, or similar program

Demonstrated understanding of the provincial political environment and public policy process, as well as Canada’s health landscape and Ontario’s health system

Established network of health stakeholder and government relationships

Subject matter depth with strong working knowledge of the health sector, including policy, trends, and relevant stakeholders is preferred

Proven ability to provide thoughtful insights and strategic recommendations based on a broad understanding of the political and policy landscapes to achieve clients’ objectives with government stakeholders

Outstanding verbal and written communications and presentation skills

Client service mindset with the ability to establish, grow and maintain strong relationships with client contacts; ability to function as a trusted resource and counselor

Strong project and budget management skills, ability to delegate and prioritize

Entrepreneurial spirit motivated and able to identify and secure new business opportunities

A collaborative approach to working with a high‑performing team

Agency experience is a considerable asset

Experience in managing multiple client programs and budgets and leading account teams is an asset

#LI-MA1 You belong at Hill & Knowlton: Our vision is for Hill & Knowlton, a Burson Group Company, to be the leading ‘academy company’ for creative communications professionals and emerging leaders. We provide a dynamic environment where ambitious colleagues come to elevate their skills, expand their networks, and ultimately, produce the best solutions for today’s leading brands. Our commitment to your growth is reflected in our robust benefits and people programs, which include professional development opportunities, mentorship programs with industry leaders, a vibrant and inclusive company culture fostering collaboration and innovation and packages designed to reward and retain top talent. We invest in our people because we believe their success is our success.

At Hill & Knowlton, we’re an agency of learn‑it‑alls. We recognize that the things we do best, creativity and communications, require a level of nuanced understanding. That’s why it’s imperative for us to hire extraordinarily talented people of all backgrounds and identities. Without that we can’t do the essential work of inspiring bold ideas, fostering constructive dialogue, cultivating meaningful experiences, and driving innovation and creativity for our partners. Your unique point of view—your talent—is what makes you a #BursonPerson, and it’s how we deliver exceptional results for our clients, together.

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 around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

Apply for this job Please note: All application information will be processed in accordance with our recruitment privacy policy. If you are a California resident, please review our California Recruitment Notice. For any questions regarding your personal data, contact us at the provided email address.

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