Associate Director, Healthcare

Edelman is a voice synonymous with trust, reimagining a future where the currency of communication is action. Our culture thrives on three promises: boldness is possibility, empathy is progress, and curiosity is momentum.

At Edelman, we understand diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) transform our colleagues, our company, our clients, and our communities. We are in relentless pursuit of an equitable and inspiring workplace that is respectful of all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust, collaboration and belonging.

About the Role

Serves as a deputy to the Senior Director in growing the Edelman Japan healthcare portfolio and team. Acts as a key member or lead of healthcare-related account and work. Be an active and contributing member of the broader healthcare team at Edelman. Help drive commercial success by ensuring that our programs and work delivers fame, fun, and fortune for Edelman and our clients. This role requires strong commercial acumen, executive presence, and the ability to lead both accounts and people with confidence.

Key Qualifications

• 10-15+ years of experience in public relations, strategic communications, or related fields with five or more in the medical and pharmaceutical device industry

• Proven experience leading and/or playing a key role on accounts

• Demonstrated track record of driving organic growth and new business wins

• Strong financial management experience, including contribution margin accountability

• Experience managing high-performing teams

• Experience working with multinational and Japanese clients

Key Responsibilities

• Lead or play a key role on healthcare-related client accounts

• Provide strategic counsel aligned to business and reputation objectives

• Drive organic growth and identify new revenue opportunities across accounts

• Lead and play a driving role in new business development and RFP processes

• Assist in managing financial performance of the healthcare portfolio, including contributing to forecasting and contribution margin management

• Contribute to overall business strategy and practice development

• Build and maintain senior client, media and industry relationships and networks

• Lead, mentor, and develop mid- and junior-level team members

• Ensure high standards of quality, innovation, and operational excellence

Key Requirements

• Business-level Japanese and professional-level English proficiency

• Strong executive presence and senior client advisory capability

• Sensitive to the communication restrictions and compliance requirements in healthcare industry, especially in pharmaceutical companies.

• Commercially driven with strong business acumen

• Excellent presentation and persuasive writing skills

• Strategic thinker with strong decision-making ability

• High accountability, leadership maturity, and collaborative mindset

If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

At Edelman, we understand diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) transform our colleagues, our company, our clients, and our communities. We are in relentless pursuit of an equitable and inspiring workplace that is respectful of all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust, collaboration and belonging.

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.