Director - AXON CS

AXON•Toronto, ON

1d•CA$110,600 - CA$130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

AXON is seeking an experienced and commercially driven Director to join its leadership team. This role is critical within both the business and the wider organization. As an active member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director will provide strategic direction for clients, teams, and the practice, while also helping to shape the future growth of the business. The Director 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. In addition to client leadership, responsibilities include developing talent, contributing to operational leadership, and collaborating across AXON and the wider AVENIR GLOBAL network to deliver innovative solutions for clients. This position 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.

Requirements

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.
Curious, adaptable and enthusiastic about embracing AI and emerging technologies as part of their everyday working practices.
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 and transparently.
Digital confidence and a willingness to evolve alongside rapidly changing technologies.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.