FWD People is a full-service strategic marketing agency delivering meaningful and measurable results in the health and non-profit sectors. We take pride in being our clients' trusted strategic partner—staying ahead of the curve, and leveraging our expertise and foresight to help them navigate change and seize opportunities. We approach every challenge with a commitment to innovation, excellence, and empathy, and we seek the same qualities in our team. As a fast-growing, senior group, we're excited to welcome more forward-thinking individuals who will help us drive growth, foster positive change within our clients' industries, and have fun along the way.
As a Associate Account Director, you will oversee multiple workstreams or a larger, more complex integrated workstream within the healthcare portfolio. You will serve as the primary day-to-day partner for mid-level and select senior clients, ensuring clarity, momentum, and strategic alignment across projects. You bring strong experience in healthcare marketing, confidence interpreting scientific and competitive insights, and the operational rigor to manage cross-functional delivery at scale. Internally, you will mentor Account Supervisors, Senior Account Managers, and junior team members—elevating thinking, sharpening execution, and strengthening team cohesion across projects.
What You'll Do
Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for mid-level and select Director-level clients across multiple or highly complex workstreams.
Provide strong workstream leadership: setting direction, aligning teams, and ensuring delivery meets strategic, creative, and regulatory expectations.
Oversee integrated workflows across creative, strategy, medical, digital, and project management partners; ensure clarity of roles, responsibilities, and handoffs.
Translate brand strategy, insights, and clinical context into actionable briefs and guidance for internal teams.
Review and interpret scientific and competitive materials to ensure workstreams remain evidence-based and strategically grounded.
Lead MLR planning and review processes; anticipate risks, guide clean submissions, and ensure efficient team alignment.
Manage timelines, resourcing needs, and cross-functional reviews with increased autonomy and accountability.
Provide day-to-day coaching and oversight to Account Supervisors, Senior Account Managers, and AEs; may manage direct reports.
Lead quality control for assigned workstreams ensuring accuracy, strategic alignment, and consistency across deliverables.
Partner with the Account Director or Group Account Director on brand planning, operational alignment, and integrated team workflows.
Identify risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement across workstreams, bringing forward thoughtful recommendations.
Play a key role in strengthening internal ways of working, supporting best practices across client service and operational excellence.
What You'll Bring
7–9 years of experience in healthcare/pharma account or project management within agency settings.
Strong understanding of brand strategy, clinical context, competitive landscapes, and regulated marketing.
Demonstrated ability to lead multiple workstreams with clarity, ownership, and cross-functional confidence.
Experience interpreting scientific and competitive materials and applying insights to project direction.
Excellent communication skills: clear, direct, compassionate, and solutions-oriented.
Strong MLR and regulatory experience, with the ability to run and troubleshoot processes independently.
Ability to coach and mentor junior team members and elevate overall team performance.
Highly organized and proactive; able to anticipate needs, solve problems, and maintain calm under pressure.
Growing strategic instincts and comfort contributing to early-stage planning and discussions.
A collaborative, team-driven approach with a commitment to high standards and operational rigor.
Nice-to-Haves
Experience in oncology, immunology, neurology, or rare disease categories.
Background working with biotech or small-to-mid-sized pharma clients.
Familiarity with digital marketing channels and integrated campaign execution.
Experience managing direct reports or leading mentorship programs.
Participation in new business pitches or business development initiatives.
Who You Are
A confident leader who brings clarity and calm to complex workstreams while empowering teams to excel.
A strategic thinker who connects clinical insights, brand objectives, and operational realities into cohesive execution.
A trusted partner who builds strong relationships with clients and colleagues through transparent communication and reliable delivery.
A proactive problem-solver who anticipates challenges, identifies solutions, and drives continuous improvement.
Working at FWD People
We are a senior team that champions integrity, adaptability, excellence, and growth. Here, you'll collaborate with solution-focused colleagues to advance both our clients and our teams.
Our office is located in Brooklyn Heights, and we offer a flexible hybrid work schedule. We value in-person collaboration and connection but also understand the importance of offering the flexibility to work from home.
We are dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. As an equal-opportunity employer, we welcome differences in race, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, and more. We believe that diversity drives innovation and success, and we are committed to ensuring equal opportunities and fostering a culture of respect and collaboration.
Interviewing at FWD People
We believe in transparency and respect for your time. Our hiring process is designed to be open, fair, and as straightforward as possible, giving you a clear picture of what to expect while also giving us a chance to get to know you. Here's how it works:
Initial Conversation: A friendly chat to learn about your background, goals, and what excites you about this opportunity (and in general).
In-Depth Interview: A deeper discussion about your skills, experiences, and how you envision contributing to our team.
Scenario Conversation: A collaborative discussion where we'll walk through a few real-world scenarios together. This is an opportunity to show us how you think through challenges, make decisions, and approach problem-solving.
Final Interview: An onsite conversation with some additional folks on our team and leadership to explore how your unique talents align with our mission and values.
We know that interviewing can sometimes feel overwhelming, which is why we're committed to keeping the process clear and communicative every step of the way. We're excited to learn more about you and appreciate you taking the time to get to know us!
Benefits & Comp
At FWD, we believe in supporting our team both personally and professionally. We offer excellent benefits, including 25 days off per year +16 paid holidays, matching 401(k), medical, dental & vision, paid maternity & paternity leave, home office setup, yearly team retreats, and a comprehensive professional development program including executive coaching and a yearly professional development stipend. As we continue to grow, we enhance our benefits package to meet the needs of our team.
The salary range for this role is $135,000-$150,000. This role is based in NYC (Brooklyn) with a flexible hybrid work schedule.