Director - AXON CS

Director

Ready to lead strategic healthcare communications programs that influence change and improve lives? Join AXON as a Director and help shape client partnerships, inspire teams, and deliver work that makes a real impact.

Team – Clinical Studies

Location - Toronto (Hybrid working - 3 days a week in office)

AXON

AXON is a global healthcare communications agency that ignites change in healthcare. Through the power of life-changing communications, we contribute to medical advances that improve lives. At the core of every scientific innovation and advancement, there is a simple and compelling story to be told. We know how to tell that story, how to use the right tools to reach the right audiences at the right time, to provoke meaningful change.

We specialize in advising clients on medical affairs, clinical studies, real-world evidence, marketing, advocacy, and communications, all underpinned by insights and creative strategy.

AXON has an international reach, with offices in Copenhagen, London, New York, and Toronto, and a worldwide affiliate network. Established in 2002, we have a deep heritage and expertise in healthcare strategy and communication, and we continue to learn and grow in the fast-changing healthcare sphere. AXON is proudly an AVENIR GLOBAL company.

Role

We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Director to join our leadership team.

As a Director at AXON, you will play a critical leadership role within both the business and the wider organization. As an active member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will provide strategic direction for clients, teams and the practice while helping shape the future growth of the business.

You will act as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders, leading complex healthcare communications programs, driving business growth, and ensuring the highest standards of strategic consultancy and client service excellence. Alongside client leadership, you will be responsible for developing talent, contributing to operational leadership, and collaborating across AXON and the wider AVENIR GLOBAL network to deliver innovative solutions for clients.

This role is ideal for a strategic leader who combines deep healthcare communications expertise with commercial acumen, exceptional relationship-building skills, and a passion for developing people and growing businesses.

Responsibilities

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Accountability

Lead and grow a portfolio of client accounts, acting as the senior strategic lead and trusted advisor

Drive account performance against revenue and profitability targets

Shape the strategic direction of client programs and contribute to the wider strategic direction of the practice

Provide leadership across account teams, ensuring client needs remain at the center of all solutions and delivery

Review project scopes and programs, identifying opportunities for growth, efficiency and enhanced client value

Lead by example, championing AXON’s culture, values and operational excellence

Collaborate with senior leaders across the business to support growth initiatives and organizational objectives

Client Services & Business Development

Build and strengthen long-term relationships with senior client stakeholders across multiple accounts

Deliver strategic consultancy informed by a deep understanding of client businesses, market dynamics and the healthcare landscape

Anticipate client needs and proactively identify innovative solutions and opportunities for growth

Lead strategic account planning, client expansion initiatives and partnership discussions

Drive collaboration across AXON practices and the AVENIR GLOBAL network to deliver integrated client solutions

Support and lead business development opportunities, proposals and new business pitches

Act as a trusted advisor, managing complex client challenges with confidence and strategic insight

Project & Financial Management

Oversee complex programs and portfolios, ensuring delivery excellence across multiple workstreams

Lead account forecasting, budgeting, resource planning and profitability management

Ensure projects are delivered efficiently, strategically and in line with client expectations

Drive operational best practices and adherence to AXON processes and quality standards

Support teams in identifying risks, resolving challenges and implementing solutions proactively

Monitor financial performance across accounts and identify opportunities to optimize efficiency and growth

Contribute to billability, utilization and operational performance across the business

People Leadership

Inspire, mentor and develop high-performing teams across the practice

Coach team members and leaders to strengthen strategic thinking, consultancy skills and client delivery excellence

Foster an inclusive, collaborative and positive team culture

Support talent development by identifying growth opportunities and succession planning needs

Build strong partnerships across the business to deliver practice priorities and organizational goals

Share knowledge, expertise and industry insights to support continuous learning and development

Create an environment where innovation, accountability and professional growth can thrive

Essential Skills & Experience

Extensive experience within healthcare communications, medical communications, healthcare PR, pharmaceutical consultancy or a related agency environment

Proven experience leading large, complex client accounts and strategic communications programs

Demonstrated success in building and growing senior-level client relationships

Strong commercial acumen, including responsibility for revenue growth, forecasting, budgeting and profitability

Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and developing high-performing talent

Exceptional strategic consultancy and problem-solving skills

Outstanding presentation, communication and stakeholder management abilities

Proven experience contributing to business development, client expansion and new business growth

Strong understanding of the healthcare, pharmaceutical and life sciences landscape

Ability to influence, inspire and lead across multiple teams and stakeholders

Desirable

Experience serving as part of a senior management or leadership team

Experience leading international or multi-market healthcare communications programs

Knowledge of medical affairs, scientific communications, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, real-world evidence or healthcare marketing programs

Experience working across integrated communications disciplines and agency networks

At AXON, we actively encourage the team to be involved in activities outside of their day-to-day work. Whether that is being involved in our social, Diversity & Inclusion, or CSR electives, attending networking events, or running training sessions on topics in which they have a personal interest. We have a keen focus on training and development and, as a rough guide, suggest employees aim to complete 37.5 hours of learning a year through online learning, classroom training, or attending external events; that’s 1 week a year dedicated to your development.

AI Culture & Expectations

At AXON, we harness AI not to replace what makes us exceptional, but to elevate it. AI expands our reach, sharpens our insights, and accelerates discovery; but it is our people – curious, responsible, authentic, forward-looking and transparent – who turn that potential into meaningful impact.

We are looking for candidates who are curious, adaptable and enthusiastic about embracing AI and emerging technologies as part of their everyday working practices.

Successful candidates will demonstrate a growth mindset around AI and emerging technologies, shown through an openness to learning new tools, experimenting with innovative ways of working, and using AI responsibly a