Account Director, Clinical Studies

Are you a healthcare communications professional who enjoys building client relationships, developing teams and turning complex challenges into clear, practical strategies?  

AXON is looking for an Account Director to join our Clinical Studies team. In this role, you’ll lead client accounts and communications programs that help patients, caregivers, investigators and site teams navigate the clinical study journey. 

You’ll bring strategic thinking, strong commercial judgment and a collaborative leadership style. You’ll be comfortable advising clients, guiding delivery and helping colleagues grow. 

As an Account Director you will: 

• Serve as a senior, trusted advisor to clients, developing a strong understanding of their studies, business priorities and communications needs. 
• Translate those needs into thoughtful programs, oversee delivery and identify opportunities to deepen relationships and grow accounts.
• Inspire, mentor, and develop team members while fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture.
• Partner closely with multidisciplinary teams across AXON and the AVENIR GLOBAL network to deliver integrated, high-quality solutions. 

Your work may include patient recruitment and retention programs, study branding and materials, investigator meetings, site training, and ongoing engagement initiatives. Working with medical, creative, digital and project teams, you’ll help ensure communications are accurate, accessible and relevant to their audiences. 

Responsibilities 

Lead client relationships and strategy 

• Build strong client partnerships, providing proactive counsel and clear recommendations.
• Lead account planning and strategic discussions, translating client objectives into actionable communications programs.
• Understand the challenges facing study participants and site teams, and help shape approaches that address their needs.
• Anticipate issues, manage expectations and guide clients through changing priorities. 

Oversee delivery and financial performance 

• Lead multiple projects and workstreams, ensuring high-quality delivery within agreed timelines and budgets.
• Develop scopes of work, budgets and resource plans, with clear ownership across the team.
• Oversee forecasting, invoicing and account profitability, addressing changes in scope early.
• Coordinate internal specialists, external partners and colleagues across AXON and the AVENIR GLOBAL network.
• Guide quality review and ensure deliverables follow agreed client review and approval processes. 

Develop people and strengthen the team 

• Manage and mentor direct reports, providing regular feedback and supporting their development.
• Set clear expectations and build a collaborative, inclusive team environment.
• Balance workloads and help colleagues navigate competing demands.
• Share knowledge, support recruitment and contribute to improvements in how the team works. 

Support business growth 

• Identify opportunities to expand existing relationships and introduce services that meet client needs.
• Contribute to proposals, pitches and new business presentations.
• Partner with senior colleagues to develop recommendations, project approaches and budgets.
• Stay curious about developments in healthcare, clinical research and communications. 

Candidate 

The ideal candidate will have: 

• Substantial experience supporting clinical studies, patient engagement, recruitment and retention, or investigator and site communications.
• Experience in a related clinical trial or client service environment, with responsibility for leading accounts and teams.
• Strong consultancy skills, including the ability to understand a complex brief, challenge constructively and recommend a clear path forward.