Vice President, Client Relations Healthcare (Marketing Research)

The Directions Group, an Integrated Intelligence company, is seeking an accomplished and driven Vice President, Client Relationship Lead to join our Healthcare team. This advanced client-facing role is responsible for cultivating, expanding, and elevating relationships with healthcare and pharmaceutical clients.

As a VP, you will serve as a trusted advisor, thought leader, and strategic partner, leveraging consultative sales skills, deep research expertise and business acumen to deliver integrated intelligence -spanning primary research, business intelligence, and strategic consulting-that drive real business outcomes.

RESPONSIBILITES

Business Expansion & Revenue Management

• Diversify and expand Directions' sales growth in the pharmaceutical sector by:
  • Leveraging your current network and cultivating new connections
  • Effectively communicating The Directions Group value proposition & presenting capabilities
  • Leading proposal development and solution pitching, collaborating with subject matter experts as needed to deliver best-in-class, customized offerings.
• Drive and execute team revenue and professional fee goals by managing a robust pipeline of opportunities and client relationship opportunities, ensuring strategic account growth.

Strategic Client Leadership & Partnership

• Cultivate and maintain trusted, long-term advisor relationships with client stakeholders to drive retention, growth, and new business opportunities.
• Act as a thought leader within client settings, representing The Directions Group's integrated value proposition and influencing key decision-makers.

• Serve as the primary strategic partner to internal cross-functional teams in the design, execution, analysis, and delivery of complex, high-impact integrated intelligence projects-ensuring alignment with clients' evolving business objectives.
• Actively support the delivery of high-quality insights, including advanced research design (quantitative and qualitative), analytics, and consultative reporting.
• Oversee and resolve client issues and business needs throughout multiple client engagements simultaneously demonstrating exceptional judgement, problem-solving, and communication.

Team Leadership & Professional Development

• Manage and mentor internal cross-functional teams, fostering a collaborative, creative, and growth-oriented environment.
• Review and guide proposals, research design, and deliverables from junior team members to ensure alignment with engagement objectives and standards of excellence.
• Champion professional development for others by providing regular feedback, promoting forward-thinking, and encouraging innovative solutions.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 12+ years of professional experience in healthcare/pharmaceutical insights, market research, or consulting (e.g., Diabetes, Oncology, Biotech, Cardiovascular, Dermatology, Neuroscience, Infectious Disease, etc.).
• Proven ability to lead large, complex client engagements that drive business outcomes and inform strategic decision-making.
• Strong business and commercial acumen, with a proactive business development mindset and a strong network of prospective Pharma clients.
• Demonstrated experience integrating multiple data sources (primary, secondary, forecasting) to address clients' business questions.
• Broad and deep knowledge of research methodologies (quantitative, qualitative, advanced analytics), with understanding of common statistics and methodologies (e.g., conjoint, MaxDiff, regression), where to apply them and how to interpret findings in a business context.
• Exceptional critical thinking, judgment, and problem-solving skills; experience handling sensitive or challenging client situations with poise.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex issues and influence at all levels-internally and externally.
• Willingness to travel as needed to support client engagement and growth (travel requirements vary by client/location).

This position can be located anywhere in the U.S., and compensation is commensurate with experience.