Digital Associate Director, Health

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 Edelman

Edelman is the world’s largest independent communications firm, helping clients navigate an increasingly complex stakeholder landscape through the power of trust. In the UK, our Health practice partners with some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and healthcare organisations to build reputation, engage stakeholders and drive meaningful behaviour change.

Digital sits at the heart of how audiences discover, evaluate and engage with health information. As platforms evolve and stakeholder journeys become more fragmented, our clients need integrated digital strategies that connect organic social media, paid amplification, search, influencer engagement, data and measurement.

The Opportunity

Edelman is looking for a Health focused Associate Director to join our Digital team in London.

This role sits at the intersection of healthcare communications, social media and integrated digital strategy. Working across global pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device clients, you will help develop digital programmes that engage healthcare professionals, patients, policy and advocacy groups and broader stakeholder audiences through meaningful, compliant and measurable communications.

Social media expertise will be at the core of your skillset, but you will also bring an understanding of the wider digital ecosystem, including websites, search, paid media, analytics and audience journeys. You will work closely with specialists across Edelman’s Digital, Health, Creative, data and Intelligence teams to deliver integrated solutions that drive client outcomes.

This is an opportunity for a healthcare digital specialist who understands both the opportunities and complexities of communicating in highly regulated environments and who is passionate about helping healthcare organisations build trust, improve engagement and communicate innovations that positively impact people’s lives.

Key Responsibilities

Digital & Social Strategy and Content delivery

• Develop and deliver integrated digital communications strategies for global healthcare clients, with social media at the centre of channel planning.

• Create audience-first engagement approaches across healthcare professionals, patients, policy and advocacy groups, and other health stakeholders.

• Advise clients on platform selection, content approaches, governance frameworks and measurement methodologies.

• Ensure digital programmes are connected across earned, owned, shared and paid channels.

• Use audience, channel and performance data to optimise programmes and inform future recommendations.

• Drive and take responsibility for final delivery of campaigns or always on content programmes according to your high standards.

• Deliver best in class social content, understanding what this looks like across different formats from video to statics and push for this.

Healthcare Communications Expertise

• Partner with Health experts within Edelman as the Digital health lead to ensure communications remain compliant while maximising engagement opportunities.

• Demonstrate strong knowledge of pharmaceutical and healthcare communications regulations, including experience navigating review processes.

• Understand the nuances of global, regional and local market implementation and governance.

• Support the development of programmes that engage healthcare professionals, patients and advocacy communities appropriately and effectively.

Client Relationship

• Act as a trusted day-to-day client lead, ensuring timely delivery of all programmes.

• Lead and deliver digital workstreams across integrated accounts and programmes.

• Present recommendations confidently to both client and internal audiences.

• Identify opportunities to introduce innovative approaches, emerging platforms and new digital capabilities.

• Be a driver, ensuring you work in a constructive and collaborative way with clients to deliver projects on time and continue to identify growth opportunities.

Team Contribution & Development

• Mentor and train the junior team members as the account grows.

• Foster collaboration across Edelman’s Health, Digital and Integrated Solutions teams.

• Contribute to knowledge sharing and capability building across the wider business.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• Significant experience in healthcare communications, digital communications and social media strategy within an agency environment.

• Expert in healthcare/pharmaceutical digital activation, not just digital marketing.

• Deep expertise in social media and content delivery.

• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical and healthcare communications regulations and approval processes.

• Strong strategic thinking, client management and presentation skills.

• You like getting hands on and are focused on delivery and quality work.

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.