Associate Vice President, Client Services (Publications)

Real Chemistry

11h•$170,000 - $190,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Vice President (AVP), Client Services is a senior client leader responsible for driving strategic partnership, operational excellence, and team leadership across a portfolio of key accounts spanning publications and medical affairs. This role serves as a critical bridge between day-to-day client leadership and enterprise-level strategy—owning portfolio performance while contributing to broader departmental and organizational initiatives. The AVP will also support advancement of the Publications Center of Excellence, helping strengthen our publications offering and elevate the role of publications across Real Chemistry. Partnering closely with the SVP and senior leadership to translate vision into action, ensure consistent delivery excellence, and develop high-performing client service leaders.

Requirements

10+ years in medical communications with deep publications experience in an agency setting
Proven leadership across publications and medical affairs accounts, from strategy through execution
Strong command of the scientific communications lifecycle, including congress and data dissemination
Track record managing multiple accounts or a small portfolio with full ownership of delivery and performance
Trusted client partner with strong cross-functional collaboration across medical, scientific, and commercial teams
Financially and operationally savvy, with experience in team leadership, growth support, and account expansion

Nice To Haves

Are a confident senior client leader who balances strategic thinking with operational execution.
Excel at developing people and building strong, resilient teams.
Bring strong financial acumen and experience managing complex portfolios.
Thrive in ambiguity and can translate high-level direction into clear, actionable plans.
Have an understanding of publication strategy and its role within medical affairs, with an ability to translate that into client value and growth.
Embody our core values: Best Together, Impact-Obsessed, Excellence Expected, Evolve Always, and Accountability with an “I.

Responsibilities

Serve as a senior strategic partner to client stakeholders, guiding long-term account strategy and ensuring alignment with client business objectives.
Lead portfolio-level planning across multiple accounts, translating market insights, performance data, and client priorities into actionable strategies.
Support enterprise initiatives by piloting or operationalizing new approaches, frameworks, and best practices across assigned accounts.
Partner with Medical and Scientific teams to ensure publications are effectively integrated into broader medical affairs engagements.
Oversee integrated account planning, forecasting, and execution across a defined portfolio.
Ensure operational rigor, quality, and consistency —proactively identifying risks early and implementing solutions proactively.
Partner with cross-functional leaders (e.g., Medical, Scientific, PM, Finance) to deliver seamless, compliant, and high-impact client solutions.
Champion adoption of Publications CoE standards, tools, and processes to drive consistency and efficiency.
Support advancement of the Publications Center of Excellence by driving priority initiatives and progress against defined goals.
Partner with Publications and Medical leadership to evolve and strengthen the publications offering.
Help elevate the role of publications within medical affairs, reinforcing their value in evidence generation and scientific communication.
Own financial health and performance across accounts, including forecasting accuracy, margin management, and staffing alignment.
Guide account leaders in building strong business plans, identifying growth opportunities, and mitigating risks.
Contribute to broader financial planning with VP and finance leadership.
Lead, mentor, and develop senior account leaders (e.g., Group Account Directors, Account Directors), fostering a culture of accountability, growth, and psychological safety.
Provide coaching on strategic thinking, client leadership, financial acumen, and people management.
Support performance management, succession planning, and talent development initiatives across Client Services.
Identify and support organic growth opportunities within existing accounts.
Partner with SVP and business development teams on new business efforts—contributing strategic input, pitch leadership, and proposal development as appropriate.
Serve as a senior leader in key client presentations and growth conversations.
Expand publications and medical affairs opportunities, positioning publications as a core strategic capability.
Ensure adherence to medical, legal, and regulatory standards across all client engagements.
Partner with internal stakeholders to manage risk, address escalations, and maintain strong governance practices.